BBC SPORT | INDIA IN SOUTH AFRICA | Laxman saves follow-on

Second Test, Port Elizabeth, day two: India (182-8) trail South Africa (362) by 180 runs; close

India's middle-order star VVS Laxman stroked a defiant 77 not out to save his team from the follow-on on day two of the second Test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Laxman and Anil Kumble hauled India to 182 for eight at stumps after Shaun Pollock had reduced them to 47 for 4 earlier in the day.

The assault swung the second Test back in South Africa's favour, after they had been bowled out for 362 on the second day.

Shaun Pollock claimed his 250th Test wicket today

Pollock reached the milestone of 250 career Test wickets with his third victim, Sachin Tendulkar scooping a mis-timed shot to Lance Klusener at mid-on.

Poor footwork had earlier dealt with Shiv Sunder Das and Rahul Dravid.

Makhaya Ntini cartwheeled the middle stump of makeshift opener Deep Dasgupta for 13 to leave India at 47 for four.

The follow-on looked a certainty when Harbhajan Singh was run out by Boucher after a suicidal single, leaving India reeling on 119 for eight.

But VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble had other ideas, and their unbeaten 63-run partnership ensured South Africa would have to bat again.

Kumble had hit 21 when bad light play early, with Laxman 77 not out.

Srinath's six

Earlier, Indian seamer Javagal Srinath took six for 76, completing the job shortly after lunch by ripping out Nantie Hayward's middle stump.

Mark Boucher was left unbeaten on 68 from just 70 balls, including a smashed six off Srinath, after surviving a drop by Rahul Dravid when 31.

Srinath wrapped up the South African tail

The last four wickets fell for the addition of 38 runs, beginning with that of Herschelle Gibbs, just short of a double century.

Gibbs, on 196 and looking for a boundary to reach his second career double century, edged a Sachin Tendulkar inswinger to Dravid at point.

His 354-ball innings contained 25 fours and a six.

Nicky Boje was lbw to Anil Kumble in the next over.

Then Ntini, excited by some big-hitting from Boucher at the other end, flicked Srinath to deep square leg on the stroke of the lunch interval.

Having begun the second day 237 for five, South Africa lost Pollock early on, edging Srinath to Harbhajan Singh at point.

South Africa: S Pollock (capt), N Boje, M Boucher, B Dippenaar, H Gibbs, M Hayward, J Kallis, G Kirsten, L Klusener, N McKenzie, M Ntini.

India: S Ganguly (capt), A Agarkar, SS Das, D Dasgupta, R Dravid, A Kumble, VVS Laxman, V Sehwag, H Singh, J Srinath, S Tendulkar.


	^^ Back to top
	Front Page \| Football \| Cricket \| Rugby Union \| Rugby League \| Tennis \| Golf \| Motorsport \| Boxing \| Athletics \| Other Sports \| Sports Talk \| In Depth \| Photo Galleries \| Audio/Video \| TV & Radio \| BBC Pundits \| Question of Sport \| Funny Old Game ------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> \| BBC Weather >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMII\|News Sources\|Privacy