ZCZC
BSP-12
CRICKET-IND-RSA-LEAD
Maharaj strikes early after Ashwin’s seven-wicket haul
VISAKHAPATNAM, India, Oct 5, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Keshav Maharaj struck early
for South Africa after India’s Ravichandran Ashwin claimed seven wickets to
bowl out the tourists for 431 on day four of the first Test on Saturday.
Ashwin, who bagged his 27th five-wicket haul on Friday, took the remaining
two wickets to wrap up the South African innings in the morning session in
Visakhapatnam.
Ashwin got overnight batsman Maharaj out for nine and then trapped Kagiso
Rabada for 15 as the Proteas conceded a 71-run lead in response to India’s
502 for seven declared.
Batting in their second innings, India were 35 for one at lunch which
extended their lead to 106. Rohit Sharma on 25 and Cheteshwar Pujara on two
were at the crease.
Maharaj claimed the wicket of first innings double centurion Mayank Agarwal
for seven with his left-arm spin, the batsman edging the ball to first slip.
Earlier debutant all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy made a useful lower-order
contribution with his unbeaten 33 after South Africa resumed the day on 385
for eight.
Dean Elgar remained the hero of the South African innings with his 160 that
revived the tourists’ batting after they had slipped to 63 for four.
Elgar’s century partnerships with skipper Faf du Plessis, who made 55, and
Quinton de Kock, who hit 111, were key to the Proteas’ fightback.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1229 hrs