1st Test: South Africa Take Second Spot In WTC Rankings, India Slip To Fourth Position
Skipper Temba Bavuma’s defiant 55 not out on a turning track and Simon Harmer’s eight-wicket match haul helped South Africa, the reigning world Test champions, to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
South Africa now have 24 points and a PCT of 66.67, and move up from fourth to second place to be behind leaders Australia. Sri Lanka have slipped to third spot while India dropped to fourth position with a PCT of 54.17.
India, missing their regular captain Shubman Gill due to neck injury, faltered in their chase of 124 and were bowled out for 93. Harmer, who had taken 4-30 in the first innings, struck key blows in the second innings to pick 4-21, while Keshav Maharaj’s double strike and Marco Jansen removing both openers also played key roles in bamboozling India.
South Africa now have 24 points and a PCT of 66.67, and move up from fourth to second place to be behind leaders Australia. Sri Lanka have slipped to third spot while India dropped to fourth position with a PCT of 54.17.
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Bavuma’s gritty knock, and him sharing a 44-run eighth-wicket stand with Corbin Bosch, lifted South Africa to 153 in their second innings after they had slumped to 91/7. The visitors, who beat Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s earlier this year and drew 1-1 in Pakistan, have now secured crucial 12 points away from home. The second Test of the series begins at ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday.