Morkel shines for South Africa

South Africa are again having the upper hand in the game after a sudden collapse on the second day of the match. Pakistan got off to a pretty good start as they were in a strong position when they were 176/2 but after Younis Khan and Azhar Ali were dismissed for 35 and 56 respectively than there was no one to give a fight back for the team to help them on their way. Then after Younis Khan till Saeed Ajmal all the wickets fell for just 72 runs, the collapse was similar to that of South Africa.

Morkel and Botha combined grabbed 8 wickets, while Morkel also got his another 5 wicket haul. That left Pakistan 136 runs behind South Africa after the end of the first innings. South Africa after taking a healthy, when they came to bat their openers were sent off pretty early but Kallis and Amla again stood tall carry the innings on and the day ended for South Africa on 139 for 2.

Pakistan did a good effort on the second day but they were left shattered on the third day by some clinical performances by the South African players. Pakistan will have to now again reconsider their strategies against the talented South African side. 

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Harbhajan again stuns the visitors

New Zealand started the day with both the Indian openers back in the pavilion,  that made them to have controlled aggression. Adding more to their aggression was Ross Taylor’s one hand blinder to get rid of the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Dravid was also removed soon when he reached into his forties by Tim Southee with the new bowl but then Laxman played calmly in front of his home crowd to bring up his half century and had made 74 till the time he was dismissed by Chris Martin when India were just behind New Zealand’s score.

Once Laxman departed New Zealand took no time in removing the next three wickets of the lower order which meant India were again left into trouble. Then was the time Harbhajan occupied the crease and turned the course of the game with his well timed execution of the shots and smart aggression to reach his another unbeaten half century making 85 at the end of the day with Sreesanth also on the crease with him. Harbhajan’s knock of 85* included 7 fours and 5 huge sixes which left the visitors totally stunned at the end of the day.

New Zealand worked hard in all their departments till the time Harbhajan had not come to demoralise all their efforts with some power hitting. In the end it was a very fruitful day for India while New Zealand would have to work even harder to get past this team although the visitors did pretty decent in the field.

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