Ganguly gives India slender lead

Sourav Ganguly was the star for India on the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa and the home side now have a small, but psychologically important, lead as they look to square the three-match series.

The former captain's 87 - his second straight good effort, which comes at a perfect time for him after a couple of recent failures, lifted India to 288-9, a lead of 23. If they can squeeze out a few more runs on the third morning, all the better.

Bet365 make them slight favourites for victory at 4/5, while South Africa are 11/10 and the draw, which seems hugely unlikely with three days to go, is 20/1.

The pitch looks to be wearing nicely and though India's batsmen won't look forward to playing on it in the fourth innings, their spinners should be licking their lips as they prepare to take on South Africa's batsmen second time round, even without captain Anil Kumble, who missed out through injury.

Bet365 make India 5/6 to go on to make 298 or more and if they do manage that, then I'd fancy them to take a couple of wickets before South Africa get their noses in front again.

For the record, the only target ever reached for victory in Kanpur batting last is just 82, so they won't want to be chasing too much.