Irfan's big moment
Plays of the Day from the second day of the Newlands Test between South Africa and Pakistan
Firdose Moonda at Newlands
15-Feb-2013
The arrival of Mohammad Irfan at the crease gave South African fans their first sight of the giant bowler • AFP
Catch of the day
Pakistan's batsmen were struggling against the new ball and probably didn't want too much else to think about but that was not all they had to contend with. Alviro Petersen added to their woes at the start of the day with a piece of superb fielding that will go down as one of the moments of the series. Sarfraz Ahmed was the last recognised batsman but even he was uncertain against Vernon Philander, pushing at one and getting an outside edge. Petersen moved to his right, stuck a hand out and caught the ball inches off the ground to leave Sarfraz in disbelief that he had been dismissed.
Pakistan's batsmen were struggling against the new ball and probably didn't want too much else to think about but that was not all they had to contend with. Alviro Petersen added to their woes at the start of the day with a piece of superb fielding that will go down as one of the moments of the series. Sarfraz Ahmed was the last recognised batsman but even he was uncertain against Vernon Philander, pushing at one and getting an outside edge. Petersen moved to his right, stuck a hand out and caught the ball inches off the ground to leave Sarfraz in disbelief that he had been dismissed.
Novelty sighting of the day
South Africans have been waiting for a few weeks to see Mohammed Irfan in action, out of curiosity at what someone taller than Morne Morkel would look like. He did not play in the Wanderers Test and when Graeme Smith chose to field first, it meant at least another day of waiting. Irfan finally had his moment, with bat in hand, seven minutes before the scheduled lunch and delivered on all the novelty value he promised. He looked almost twice as tall as Saeed Ajmal and AB de Villiers and stood head, shoulders and waist above the rest. His first shot was as aggressive as expected as he looked to swipe over mid-on but missed completely.
South Africans have been waiting for a few weeks to see Mohammed Irfan in action, out of curiosity at what someone taller than Morne Morkel would look like. He did not play in the Wanderers Test and when Graeme Smith chose to field first, it meant at least another day of waiting. Irfan finally had his moment, with bat in hand, seven minutes before the scheduled lunch and delivered on all the novelty value he promised. He looked almost twice as tall as Saeed Ajmal and AB de Villiers and stood head, shoulders and waist above the rest. His first shot was as aggressive as expected as he looked to swipe over mid-on but missed completely.
Team-mates tussle of the day
With a second collapse against the new ball in full swing, it was understandable that Pakistan's batsmen were getting tetchy. Tanvir Ahmed appeared the most irritable. When Umar Gul was given out lbw against Philander, he wanted to consult with Tanvir but the No. 8 wanted no part in it. He turned his back on Gul and walked away from the non-striker's end. He only turned to address to his colleague once Gul had asked for the referral. Tanvir did not seem happy with that at all and the two held a heated discussion in the middle while the third umpire reviewed the decision and upheld the on-field call.
With a second collapse against the new ball in full swing, it was understandable that Pakistan's batsmen were getting tetchy. Tanvir Ahmed appeared the most irritable. When Umar Gul was given out lbw against Philander, he wanted to consult with Tanvir but the No. 8 wanted no part in it. He turned his back on Gul and walked away from the non-striker's end. He only turned to address to his colleague once Gul had asked for the referral. Tanvir did not seem happy with that at all and the two held a heated discussion in the middle while the third umpire reviewed the decision and upheld the on-field call.
Body blow of the day
Saeed Ajmal was brought on in the 12th over of the South Africa innings but the damage was not immediately sustained by the batsman. Alviro Petersen swept his third delivery straight on to short leg Azhar Ali's knee and the fielder went down as concerned team-mates converged. Petersen joined the group to check on Azhar but Graeme Smith was not overly concerned. Azhar was treated on-field and a drinks break was taken but he has back under the helmet immediately aftewards.
Saeed Ajmal was brought on in the 12th over of the South Africa innings but the damage was not immediately sustained by the batsman. Alviro Petersen swept his third delivery straight on to short leg Azhar Ali's knee and the fielder went down as concerned team-mates converged. Petersen joined the group to check on Azhar but Graeme Smith was not overly concerned. Azhar was treated on-field and a drinks break was taken but he has back under the helmet immediately aftewards.
Catch of the day II
If there was any pain lingering in Azhar's knee to hamper his movement, he didn't show it and gave Petersen some of his own treatment. When Petersen played Ajmal on to his pad, in an attempt to glance the ball down to fine leg, Azhar responded as quickly as Petersen had earlier. He moved forward quickly to pouch the ball one-handed in front of him and Petersen did not hesitate a moment in walking off.
If there was any pain lingering in Azhar's knee to hamper his movement, he didn't show it and gave Petersen some of his own treatment. When Petersen played Ajmal on to his pad, in an attempt to glance the ball down to fine leg, Azhar responded as quickly as Petersen had earlier. He moved forward quickly to pouch the ball one-handed in front of him and Petersen did not hesitate a moment in walking off.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent