India

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 12: Mohammed Shami of India celebrates the wicket of Kyle Verreynne of South Africa with team mates during day 2 of the 3rd Betway WTC Test match between South Africa and India at Six Gun Grill Newlands on January 12, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

India edge ahead of the Proteas thanks to Shami heroics

India sport a 70-run lead at stumps on day two with eight second innings wickets in hand in the third Test against the Proteas at Newlands.

India

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 12: Mohammed Shami of India celebrates the wicket of Kyle Verreynne of South Africa with team mates during day 2 of the 3rd Betway WTC Test match between South Africa and India at Six Gun Grill Newlands on January 12, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Mohammed Shami struck two quick killer blows to derail the Proteas response to India’s 223 all out.

The Proteas were bowled out for 210 on day two of the third Test, having reached 100 for 3 at lunch.

Keagan Petersen held out for some time, stroking 72 to top-score for the home side.

Proteas collapse in the sunshine

South Africa had reached 159 for 4, with Petersen and Temba Bavuma both batting relatively comfortably but Shami proved to be the difference-maker.

Shami produced a ball which climbed on Bavuma, forcing an edge which was taken by Indian captain Virat Kohli at second slip. 

Bavuma, who made half-centuries in the first innings in both previous Tests, was out for 28.

Two balls later wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne prodded at a good-length delivery from Shami and was caught behind for a duck.

Paceman Jasprit Bumrah then got in on the act once more by bowling Marco Jansen for seven with the last ball before tea. The Proteas went into the break 176 for seven at tea, 47 runs behind India.

Petersen, whose only previous half-century came in the previous Test at the Wanderers, had to face the third ball of the morning after Aiden Markram padded up and was bowled by an in-swinger from Bumrah without a run added to the overnight 17 for one.

When Keshav Maharaj was bowled by Umesh Yadav for 25, South Africa were precariously placed at 45 for three on the second morning.

The diminutive Petersen batted with skill and tremendous application in partnerships of 67 with Rassie van der Dussen (21) and 47 with Bavuma before Shami struck, and this could prove a coming of age monent for the Dolphins batter.

India couldn’t ram home their advantage as Jansen and Rabada struck early before Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli took India to 57 in their second dig, to establish a 70-run lead.