India strike to leave SAfrica under pressure

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

DURBAN, South Africa, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Shanthakumaran Sreesanth put South Africa under pressure as they slipped to 111 for three when bad light stopped play an hour after tea on day three of the second test against India at Kingsmead on Tuesday.

Sreesanth dismissed both Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla in the space of three overs either side of tea as the South Africans began to crumble after a good start in pursuit of 303 to win the match and the series.

Both batsmen played poor strokes to get out.

Smith tried to pull Sreesanth from outside off stump but hit the ball straight up in the air to be caught for 37 by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, while Amla edged a flatfooted swish at the same bowler and was caught behind for 16.

Sreesanth took two for 30 in seven overs after struggling in the first innings.

South Africa had begun their run-chase in daring fashion as Smith and Alviro Petersen put on 63 for the first wicket in 12 overs, but Petersen (26) was also out in the third over after tea as he plopped a bat/pad catch into the hands of short-leg off Harbhajan Singh.

Jacques Kallis (12) and AB de Villiers (17) were the batsmen at the crease when play was stopped with the outcome of the match still in the balance.

India had earlier extended their second innings to 228 all out thanks to an inspired Vangipurappu Laxman (96) and Zaheer Khan (27), who added 70 for the eighth wicket.