Warning signs and mixed signals
Plays of the Day from the second day of the first Test between South Africa and Pakistan at the Wanderers
Firdose Moonda at the Wanderers
02-Feb-2013
Asad Shafiq contributed to his own downfall on a day when Pakistan could have done without giving wickets away • Getty Images
Warning of the day
Pakistan ended the first day satisfied with their performance but knowing that a solid start on the second morning would be crucial. If they thought they could have it all their way, they were made to revise that opinion in the second over. Dale Steyn set up Mohammed Hafeez with a stunner that swerved away after pitching slightly short on middle. The next ball was fuller, with just as much movement and Hafeez couldn't help but nibble. He got a thin edge through to AB de Villiers to spark what became an almighty collapse.
Pakistan ended the first day satisfied with their performance but knowing that a solid start on the second morning would be crucial. If they thought they could have it all their way, they were made to revise that opinion in the second over. Dale Steyn set up Mohammed Hafeez with a stunner that swerved away after pitching slightly short on middle. The next ball was fuller, with just as much movement and Hafeez couldn't help but nibble. He got a thin edge through to AB de Villiers to spark what became an almighty collapse.
Controversy of the day
Where there is DRS, there will be debate and another one was sparked today. When Jacques Kallis appealed against Misbah-ul-Haq in what he thought was a caught behind case, few were convinced. De Villiers did not even go up at first and merely tossed the ball to first slip. South Africa decided to review and, as it did yesterday against Faf du Plessis, the Hot Spot camera revealed only a tiny mark that disappeared in an instant. On the first day, that was deemed insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field not-out decision against du Plessis; on the second day, the opposite was the case. Misbah had to leave but he did so grudgingly while in the changing room Dav Whatmore, Pakistan's coach, held out his arms in disbelief.
Where there is DRS, there will be debate and another one was sparked today. When Jacques Kallis appealed against Misbah-ul-Haq in what he thought was a caught behind case, few were convinced. De Villiers did not even go up at first and merely tossed the ball to first slip. South Africa decided to review and, as it did yesterday against Faf du Plessis, the Hot Spot camera revealed only a tiny mark that disappeared in an instant. On the first day, that was deemed insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field not-out decision against du Plessis; on the second day, the opposite was the case. Misbah had to leave but he did so grudgingly while in the changing room Dav Whatmore, Pakistan's coach, held out his arms in disbelief.
Wasted wicket of the day
Perilously placed at 39 for 5, Pakistan could not afford to throw any opportunity away but Asad Shafiq did just that. When Vernon Philander was brought back for a second spell, he began loosely with a wide delivery that could so easily have been left alone. Shafiq reached for it as he tried to drive through the off side and got an edge through to de Villiers. With no referrals, he had to walk off. To make things worse, two balls later Umar Gul did exactly the same thing.
Perilously placed at 39 for 5, Pakistan could not afford to throw any opportunity away but Asad Shafiq did just that. When Vernon Philander was brought back for a second spell, he began loosely with a wide delivery that could so easily have been left alone. Shafiq reached for it as he tried to drive through the off side and got an edge through to de Villiers. With no referrals, he had to walk off. To make things worse, two balls later Umar Gul did exactly the same thing.
Number of the day
The South African attack have made a habit out of bowling teams out for under 50. First, they skittled Australia for 47 at Newlands, then New Zealand for 45 at the same venue and now Pakistan for 49 at the Wanderers. At 40 for 7 at lunch time, Pakistan still had ambitions of avoiding the same fate, but Steyn's three wickets in three overs after the break changed that. The swing king made sure Pakistan got one less run than Kallis did on the first day.
The South African attack have made a habit out of bowling teams out for under 50. First, they skittled Australia for 47 at Newlands, then New Zealand for 45 at the same venue and now Pakistan for 49 at the Wanderers. At 40 for 7 at lunch time, Pakistan still had ambitions of avoiding the same fate, but Steyn's three wickets in three overs after the break changed that. The swing king made sure Pakistan got one less run than Kallis did on the first day.
Shot of the day
At first glance, it would seem there weren't too many, especially not from Pakistan, but South Africa's batsmen put on a much more measured display. De Villiers played a stroke to marvel at when he danced down the track to Saeed Ajmal, who did not cause as much trouble as was expected, and bisected Hashim Amla's legs with a straight drive that had the poise of a ballerina and the posture of one too. That stroke took South Africa to 122 for 3 and the lead to 326.
At first glance, it would seem there weren't too many, especially not from Pakistan, but South Africa's batsmen put on a much more measured display. De Villiers played a stroke to marvel at when he danced down the track to Saeed Ajmal, who did not cause as much trouble as was expected, and bisected Hashim Amla's legs with a straight drive that had the poise of a ballerina and the posture of one too. That stroke took South Africa to 122 for 3 and the lead to 326.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent