2nd Test: Jansen Picks Six As SA Bowl India For 201, Set To Bat Again With 288-run Lead

2nd Test: Jansen picks six as SA bowl India for 201, set to bat again with 288-run lead (Image Source: IANS)

Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen delivered a superb bowling performance to claim 6-48, as South Africa bowled India out for 201 in 83.5 overs to take a 288-run lead on day three of second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Jansen’s short-ball barrage, combined with relentless accuracy, broke India’s middle order and triggered a collapse to leave them at 122/7. India’s lower order offered brief resistance through Washington Sundar (48 off 92 balls) and Kuldeep Yadav (19 off 134 balls) sharing a 72-run stand.

But once Simon Harmer took out Sundar and the second new ball was taken, Jansen returned to wrap up a disappointing Indian batting innings. Despite holding a commanding lead, South Africa opted against enforcing the follow-on, with captain Temba Bavuma consulting the team management before deciding to bat and calling for the light roller to be used before starting their second innings.

Jansen’s all-round display - 93 with the bat and six wickets with the ball — has put South Africa in complete control of winning the game and series. The left-arm quick also became only the third left-arm fast-bowler to take a five-wicket haul in India after Zaheer Khan and Mitchell Johnson. On a surface offering little assistance, Jansen’s variation of length from a consistent line proved to be decisive.

With two left-handers at the crease and the second new ball still some time away, Sundar and Kuldeep began the final session by adding valuable runs against the off-spin bowling pair of Simon Harmer and Aiden Markram. With Sundar going solid and Kuldeep showing remarkable application, South Africa introduced centurion Senuran Muthusamy in the line-up, but without any success.

Just before the second new ball was taken, Harmer produced a decisive moment by deceiving Sundar with dip on a fuller delivery. Sundar pushed at it with hard hands and edged to first slip to depart for 46.

Jansen then sealed his five-wicket haul in the very first over of the second new ball. Kuldeep, after having declined a single to shield Jasprit Bumrah, was undone by steep bounce and edged to second slip, giving Markram his fifth catch of the innings.

Just before the second new ball was taken, Harmer produced a decisive moment by deceiving Sundar with dip on a fuller delivery. Sundar pushed at it with hard hands and edged to first slip to depart for 46.

Brief Scores: South Africa 489 in 151.1 overs (Senuran Muthusamy 109; Kuldeep Yadav 4-115) lead India 201 in 83.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Washington Sundar 48; Marco Jansen 6-48, Simon Harmer 3-64) by 288 runs

Article Source: IANS