South Africa pile on the runs against India A
The South African top order made ideal use of the superb batting conditions at Arundel, amassing 342 for 5 at close of play on the second day, a first-innings lead of 23
Wisden Cricinfo staff
20-Jul-2003
Day 2 Close South Africans 342 for 5 (Rudolph 83, Gibbs 79, Smith 79, Kirsten 75) lead India A 319 (Jaffer 90, Gambhir 64) by 23 runs
The South African top order made ideal use of the superb batting conditions at Arundel, amassing 342 for 5 at close of play on the second day, a first-innings lead of 23. The first four batsmen all got starts, but like the Indians, failed to notch a hundred, falling between scores of 75 and 83. Aavishkar Salvi's two wickets in the last 20 minutes of play gave the India A team some cause for cheer, but the day belonged to the South Africans.
The biggest beneficiary from this outing was Herschelle Gibbs, who returned to form after struggling through the NatWest Series and the earlier tour matches. He put on 150 for the first wicket with Graeme Smith, giving the South Africans the early initiative.
Both openers were circumspect against India's new-ball duo of Salvi and Amit Bhandari, but the introduction of Murali Kartik eased the pressure. Gibbs tonked Kartik for two sixes in three balls, while Smith helped himself to one as well, as the scoreboard rattled along.
Kartik's first spell of five overs went for 30, but he was far more effective in his second stint, getting rid of Gibbs for 79 and keeping the batsmen in check. With Irfan Pathan - the most economical bowler on view - trapping Smith in front 14 runs later, a quiet period of play ensued. However, the Indian hopes of further breakthroughs were scotched as Gary Kirsten and Jacques Rudolph stitched together 171 for the third wicket. Both batsmen were severe on Amit Mishra, the legspinner. So impressive in the earlier matches, Mishra was plundered for 88 runs from 16 overs.
Kirsten was run-out late in the day for 75, and as had happened earlier, a wicket after a long partnership quickly resulted in another, as Salvi had Rudolph caught by Parthiv Patel for 83, an innings which took Rudolph past 3000 first-class runs. Salvi then bowled Mark Boucher for a third-ball duck to ensure that India A finished the day on a buoyant note.