Elgar century provides South Africa lead over India

Published: December 27, 2023
PHILL MAGAKOE/ AFP

An unbeaten century from veteran Dean Elgar and fifty on debut from David Bedingham allowed South Africa to take an 11-run lead over India when dangerous gentle ended play on the second day of the primary check at Centurion.

The 36-year-old Elgar is retiring from worldwide cricket after the two-test sequence however performed among the best innings of his lengthy profession as he scored an emotive 140 not out to assist the hosts to 256-5 in reply to India’s first innings whole of 245.

He will resume on Thursday with Marco Jansen, who has three, with South Africa searching for to construct a substantive lead.

Elgar, who took over the captaincy after Temba Bavuma pulled his hamstring fielding on Tuesday, performed some unusually flamboyant front-foot strokes in a chanceless innings towards a fearsome assault on a monitor arrange for the seamers.

He scored a 14th check century however his first at Centurion, which is his dwelling floor.

“It just clicked for me today. I didn’t have a lot to lose. I wanted to play with a bit of freedom,” Elgar mentioned at stumps.

He introduced up his ton in 140 balls and featured in two vital partnerships — first 93 runs for the second wicket with Tony de Zorzi, which set basis, after which 131 with Bedingham for the fourth wicket.

The 29-year-old Bedingham regarded assured and assured on debut as he scored 56 earlier than being bowled by Mohammed Siraj, who completed the day with figures of 2-63.

Jasprit Bumrah additionally took two wickets, squaring up De Zorzi (28) and forcing a thick edge to 3rd slip after which bowling Keegan Petersen for 2.

Siraj had taken the primary wicket of the innings when Aiden Markram went cheaply for 5 within the fourth over of South Africa’s knock.

Earlier, KL Rahul accomplished his century earlier than India had been dismissed for 245 of their first innings, shifting on from 208-8 in a single day with play commencing 25 minutes late due to gentle drizzle.

Rahul, who was 70 not out firstly, went to an eighth check ton in spectacular vogue, hammering a six into the group because the vacationers added 37 runs to their first-day rating earlier than being bowled out.

He had offered stout resistance on the opening day on Tuesday as South Africa threatened to dismiss India cheaply however had been let down by spilt catches and inconsistent bowling.

Rahul got here out once more on Wednesday with the identical aggressive intent and put away the dangerous balls to succeed in his century earlier than being the final man dismissed as Nandre Burger bowled him for 101 off 137 balls.

Burger completed with 3-50 on his debut with Kagiso Rabada the choose of the house bowlers with 5-59.

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