Advantage South Africa as Kallis, de Villiers build lead

Ahmedabad: There could have been only one reason behind captain Anil Kumble's decision to bat first on a lively surface at the Sardar Patel Stadium at Motera here – that he could buy some more time to heal his own injury and be able to bowl. What he didn't consider though, was that his batsmen needed time too.

South African pacers Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel tore the hosts to shreds, all out for 76 runs inside the first session on Day One of the second Test on Thursday. India's innings lasted exactly 20 overs, the length of the forthcoming revolution in international cricket.

South Africa finished the first day on 223-4, ahead of India's total by 147 runs, with their fifth-wicket pair of Jacques Kallis (60) and AB de Villiers (59) unbeaten with a 106-run stand.

The term 'dry' is often spoken in the same breath with the state of Gujarat. After 10 wickets fell in the opening session, leaving India dry of runs, it was the turn of the home bowlers to experience the same in the second session in terms of wickets, until S Sreesanth provided for their first respite with the wicket of Graeme Smith, just as South Africa eclipsed India's total to go into a lead.

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