India/Sth. Africa Tests.

[Donny]

All out 275.

Ashwin 4/69. Yadav 3/37.

[K]

Media report:

"[Rabada] gathered the ball and threw it behind the stumps to his keeper.

But de Kock wasn’t aware and missed the catch, which resulted in an overthrow run.

Rabada appeared to tell de Kock to look at the “f****g ball”.

De Kock then pointed to his head in a gesture to Rabada to think before throwing the ball.

Following the over, the pair came together when it appeared the keeper responded with “f**k you mate”."

[K]

Markram got a second-ball duck, completing a pair.

Replays show he should have reviewed.

I'm not sure the review system is working. Is this really the skill we want players to develop -- working out how to use their reviews?

[K]

S. Africa now 2/21.

[Pies4shaw]

^ Is it worth reviewing anything when you're 400 behind? Don't you just hope they give you out early so you can go to the hotel and relax?

[Pies4shaw]

SA bowled out cheaply in the second innings. India won by an innings and some runs.

[K]

Markram has joined the Gatting/Mitch Marsh club.


"Aiden Markram has been ruled out of the third Test against India after fracturing his right wrist as he lashed out at solid object in frustration following his second-innings dismissal in the Pune Test.

Markram was given out lbw for a duck by the on-field umpire, and after a consultation with his opening partner Dean Elgar, he chose not to review the decision. However, replays showed the ball would have missed the leg stump."

(cricinfo)

[Donny]

At last !! Tomorrow.

[Pies4shaw]

India 3/71 at lunch. Sharma 38*. Agarwal out for 10 and Pujara for 0, both to Rabada. Nortje got Kohli lb for 12.

[Donny]

6/419. Roht 212, Rahane 115, Kohli 12.

[Donny]

9/497 dec.

SA 2/9.

[K]

S. Africa, 162 all out (56.2), were made to follow on.

In their second innings, they were 6/67 (28.3).

This is a horror show from S. Africa.

[K]

S. Africa 8/132 (46). Stumps.

Still over 200 runs behind.

[Donny]

All over, quickly.

India won by an innings and 202 runs.

[K]

I. Chappell, cricinfo:

"Where most Test teams are desperately seeking capable batsmen, India now have a surplus of talent that makes them the envy of the cricket world. It was always only a matter of when India got their act together - in particular concerning selection - before they became a true powerhouse in the game.

With an enormous talent pool, young players gaining experience from mixing with international stars in the IPL, and the right selections, India should remain a powerful opponent for the indefinite future.
...

That is where the bad news kicks in: the overall standard of play in Test cricket.

South Africa's demise is ominous for the Test match version of the game. Test cricket is a great format, but only if the teams are competitive. Test cricket relies heavily on a good contest to be entertaining and exciting.
...

If South Africa's slide is a long-term affliction - and judging by their batting in India, this could well be the case - then that leaves three teams, India, Australia and England in the strong category, with New Zealand just below that standard."




[The game is in strife if you need to count Oz and England to come up with three "strong" nations.]