India just ahead after curtailed day's play by Jinu Sabastian

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Ground:	Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Scorecard:	India v South Africa
Player:	Harbhajan Singh, A Mishra, HM Amla
Event:	South Africa in India 2009/10

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DateLine: 17th February 2010

 

The fourth day's play witnessed just 30 overs before the umpires deemed that the light and the conditions were unfit for further play. The day's play was delayed due to wet out field and murky light and once the play resumed what followed was a gripping passage of play.

 

Resuming the day at 6 for no loss the South African openers motored along undisturbed. Dhoni handed the new ball to Harbhajan Singh in the second over to try and unsettle the South African pair. But Smith and Petersen did not try anything silly as they dealt the spinners and pacers with great deal of confidence. Zaheer caused a few moments of concern for the openers, while Harbhajan Singh settled into a nice rhythm.

 

Smith took a middle and off guard, covering the stumps and thus negotiated Zaheer Khan better. Smith (20, 33 balls, 2x4) finally fell as he played all around an accurate legbreak from Mishra and was trapped in front. Just before the break, Harbhajan had got one to bounce and break at Petersen, but there was no backward short leg to take the catch. Harbhajan was not disheartened as he got one to turn in sharply to Petersen (21, 51 balls, 2x4)which took the bat and pad on its way to Badrinath at short leg who juggled the catch twice before taking it.

 

Harbhajan continued to cause flutters in the South African ranks as he got an inside edge from Amla, but Vijay couldn't get down in time. That was crucial as the pair ate into valuable time. The pair added 57 in 16 overs before Mishra intervened. Mishra got a change of ends, started his third spell off with a maiden to Amla. The second ball of the second over landed around middle, Kallis (20, 47 balls, 3x4) had to play at it and the ball took a thin edge which was pouched by MS Dhoni. The play then continued for four more deliveries before bad light an showers forced the players and the umpires inside.

 

After a slight drizzle the play resumed but only for one over before the light deteriorated again and the umpires called off the day's play. Amla was unbeaten on 49 while Prince had not yet opened his account.