Kallis century suggests intriguing final day

Cricket365
December 29, 2013

Veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis' final Test match innings, probably, carried South Africa to 500 all out – and a threatening lead – before India slip to 68 for two on day four of the series decider at Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.

The highlight of the final period of play was the spectacular catch taken by Faf du Plessis. Opener Shikhar Dhawan whipped an aerial shot through midwicket, off the bowling of Robin Peterson, which Du Plessis pouched, diving and extending his right hand.

Dale Steyn bowled a spell of five overs and four maidens, at the cost of a single run, to create pressure at the start of the India innings. Vernon Philander, at the other end, had Murali Vijay caught at slip for six, to leave India on eight for one, as South Africa were rewarded for their tight bowling.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were unbeaten on 32 and 11 at the close with India on 53 for two.

Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja claimed his best bowling figures of six for 138. The Proteas went to tea on 497 for eight, but could only add three runs as their innings was wrapped up quickly after the interval with Jadeja picking up his sixth wicket in the process.

Du Plessis and Peterson had shared in a 110-run eighth-wicket partnership to put the Proteas in front. The pair came out after lunch in aggressive mood, looking to pile on the runs and added a further 102 runs in the shortened session.

Peterson, particularly, took the fight to the Indian bowlers smashing 61 off 52 balls including nine boundaries and a six. He was finally dismissed, skying a delivery from Zaheer Khan with Murali Vijay getting underneath it for a well-taken catch while Du Plessis was run out for 43.

In the morning session, Jacques Kallis scored 115 runs and brought up his 45th century to became the third-highest run-scorer in Test history. Kallis amassed 13289 Test runs – one more than India's Rahul Dravid.

Sachin Tendulkar held the record at 15921 and Ricky Ponting was second on the all-time list with 13378 runs. Kallis was out shortly after reaching the milestone to complete Jadeja's five-wicket haul at a cost of 128 runs.

Struggling with cramp and battling to run between the wickets, the 38-year-old attempted to sweep the spinner and only succeeded in getting a top-edge to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Kallis made his way to the changeroom amid a standing ovation from the crowd and was applauded by his team-mates on his walk up the stairs in his final Test match. Nigthwatchmen Steyn made 44 with a few lusty blows before he was caught behind off Khan.