Younis' well-timed interception
Plays of the Day from the first day of the third Test in Centurion
Firdose Moonda in Centurion
22-Feb-2013
Graeme Smith watches Younis Khan dive in front of Misbah-ul-Haq to take the catch off Ehsan Adil's bowling • Associated Press
Catch of the day
Pakistan have had some inspirational moments in the field on this tour, and another one came when Younis Khan gave the debutant Ehsan Adil his first Test wicket. With his third ball, Adil forced Graeme Smith to play at one on a good length and drew an outside edge that popped up towards the slips. Misbah-ul-Haq was lining up to take it at first slip, and the ball would have carried to him, but Younis dived to his right from second and got to it. Had he not held it, Misbah may have been angrier, but the result only left him smiling.
Pakistan have had some inspirational moments in the field on this tour, and another one came when Younis Khan gave the debutant Ehsan Adil his first Test wicket. With his third ball, Adil forced Graeme Smith to play at one on a good length and drew an outside edge that popped up towards the slips. Misbah-ul-Haq was lining up to take it at first slip, and the ball would have carried to him, but Younis dived to his right from second and got to it. Had he not held it, Misbah may have been angrier, but the result only left him smiling.
Shot of the day
South Africa scored at almost four runs to the over for much of the first two sessions and even though they lost wickets, the day was punctuated with glorious shots. Faf du Plesiss played one of the best, a straight drive past Adil that the debutant should have taken a photograph of, because if you're going to get hit, that's the way to experience it. Du Plessis elbow position was perfect as he pounced on an overpitched ball and sent it to the boundary with a caress.
South Africa scored at almost four runs to the over for much of the first two sessions and even though they lost wickets, the day was punctuated with glorious shots. Faf du Plesiss played one of the best, a straight drive past Adil that the debutant should have taken a photograph of, because if you're going to get hit, that's the way to experience it. Du Plessis elbow position was perfect as he pounced on an overpitched ball and sent it to the boundary with a caress.
Beamer of the day
Mohammed Irfan was expected to be a danger on a pitch that offered some assistance to the quicks. His most threatening delivery, however, didn't touch the surface. Midway through his 11th over, Irfan bowled a high full toss at AB de Villiers, who went down on all fours as he tried to avoid it. The bowler was the first to apologise and Younis even gave the batsman a hug to make sure he was okay.
Mohammed Irfan was expected to be a danger on a pitch that offered some assistance to the quicks. His most threatening delivery, however, didn't touch the surface. Midway through his 11th over, Irfan bowled a high full toss at AB de Villiers, who went down on all fours as he tried to avoid it. The bowler was the first to apologise and Younis even gave the batsman a hug to make sure he was okay.
Save of the day
As the day grew long, Pakistan could be forgiven for losing their enthusiasm but one man who did not was Irfan. Vernon Philander has his eye in and drove sweetly against Azhar Ali. The ball beat Irfan at mid-on but he chased it to edge of the boundary and back-heeled the ball further infield. It was a move a footballer would be proud of. However, unable to stop his momentum, Irfan went tumbling into the boards, taking one almost of its base and getting himself tangled up in it. Irfan laughed the clumsiness off and he had reason to: he had saved the boundary. It wasn't elegant but it was effective.
As the day grew long, Pakistan could be forgiven for losing their enthusiasm but one man who did not was Irfan. Vernon Philander has his eye in and drove sweetly against Azhar Ali. The ball beat Irfan at mid-on but he chased it to edge of the boundary and back-heeled the ball further infield. It was a move a footballer would be proud of. However, unable to stop his momentum, Irfan went tumbling into the boards, taking one almost of its base and getting himself tangled up in it. Irfan laughed the clumsiness off and he had reason to: he had saved the boundary. It wasn't elegant but it was effective.
Guests of the day
SuperSport Park's most well known function is the annual Ladies' Day, held on the first day of a Test. It's an affair of pomp and ceremony in which the women are encouraged to dress in their best and stand to win an array of prizes. The biggest one is perhaps the chance to have a photograph taken with one of the players. This year, they had double the fun. Instead of only a player from the South African team, they were paid a visit by one from each side. Morne Morkel was joined by Umar Gul for tea-time entertainment.
SuperSport Park's most well known function is the annual Ladies' Day, held on the first day of a Test. It's an affair of pomp and ceremony in which the women are encouraged to dress in their best and stand to win an array of prizes. The biggest one is perhaps the chance to have a photograph taken with one of the players. This year, they had double the fun. Instead of only a player from the South African team, they were paid a visit by one from each side. Morne Morkel was joined by Umar Gul for tea-time entertainment.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent