Bad light decision disappoints India

Cricket365
December 27, 2013

Bowling coach Joe Dawes expressed disappointment on India's behalf, after bad light prematurely ended day one of the second and final Test against South Africa on Thursday.

While opener Shikhar Dhawan had perished early, unbeaten half-centurions Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara pushed the total to a promising 181 for one at Kingsmead in Durban.

Further progress was prevented by umpires Steve Davis and Rod Tucker, who called proceedings to a close after 61 overs despite the decision to switch the floodlights on.

"We were in a very good position. Our batsmen were doing pretty well. It is a disappointment, really, that we had to come off. South Africa were trying everything, trying hard to come at our batsmen," said Dawes.

"They tried attacking with the short ball and coming round the wicket. It didn't work. We would have liked to keep them in the field for six hours, but we can't control the weather conditions."

While the hosts replaced leg-spinner Imran Tahir with left-armer Robin Peterson, the tourists opted for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja ahead of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

"There is nothing wrong with Ashwin. He has played almost every single Test for us this year. But look at Jadeja as well, he has done really well since playing that Test series versus Australia," added Dawes.

"We felt that maybe Jadeja fits better in the scheme of things for this Test match. In terms of what we are trying to achieve as a bowling unit, in these conditions, Jadeja seemed a better choice."