Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla hit half-centuries to put South Africa on top against India, on a rain-hit day one of the third and final Test match at Newlands in Cape Town, on Sunday.
Confidence on sky high after the convincing win in the opener against India in Centurion, South Africa middle-order batsman Hashim Amla on Friday said the Proteas will be hoping to seal the three-match series in the second Test beginning in Durban on Sunday.
South African captain Graeme Smith warned the visiting Indian team to find a way to tame Hashim Amla or forget the chance of levelling the three-Test series in the second game starting in Durban on Sunday.
In what should please South Africa no end, skipper Graeme Smith and in-form batsman Hashim Amla have been cleared to play in the first Test of the three-match series against India, starting Thursday in Centurion.
South Africa lost momentum after a brisk start to their second innings but will take a lead of 323 runs over Pakistan into the final day of the second and final Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
India captain Virat Kohli blazed a magnificent century, but South Africa hold the upper hand as they reached 90 for two in their second innings on a difficult wicket after rain and then bad light curtailed day three of the second Test on Monday.
Pakistan face an uphill battle to save the first test after closing the fourth day on 109 for two after being set a formidable winning target of 450 by South Africa on Monday.
India thwarted stubborn resistance from South Africa's Hashim Amla and the tailenders to clinch a series-levelling innings and 58 runs victory in the second Test at Kolkata to retain their status as the number one team on Thursday.
Harbhajan Singh claimed five wickets for 59 runs as India beat South Africa by an innings and 57 runs on a thrilling final day in the second Test to level the two-match series at 1-1 and remain the number one Test team in the world. Hashim Amla was the only South African batsman to provide some resistance. He was left unconquered after a stubborn knock of 123 from 394 deliveries, inclusive of 16 boundaries, his third hundred on a trot in three innings in the series.
South Africa were reduced to 115 for three after 35 overs in their second innings before rain and fading light forced the umpires to call stumps in the post-tea session on Day 4 of the second Test against India.
When play was called off early due to bad light, on Day 1 of the second Test, South Africa were tottering at 266 for 9, after being well-placed on 228 for 2 at tea.
Hashim Amla gave us a glimpse of his resilience after scoring his maiden double hundred on Sunday, after having come in to bat in a tough situation.
Images from Day 2 of the first Test between India and South Africa in Nagpur on Sunday.
A magnificent 159 by the ever reliable Jacques Kallis, an equally well-made 115 by Hashim Amla and their unbroken 285-run partnership for the third wicket helped South Africa to a commanding position against India on the first day of the opening Test at Nagpur on Saturday.
After electing to bat first, South Africa were bowled out for 98 in the 17th over, with spin trio Lakshan Sandakan, Dhananjaya de Silva and Akila Dananjaya combining to take seven wickets.
South Africa paceman Vernon Philander will miss the first two Tests against England because of injury, team officials said as the squad returned from their 3-0 hiding in India.
South Africa were 46 for two in reply to the West Indies' modest total of 231 at the end of the first day's play in the third and final Test in Barbados on Saturday. Captain Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 35 at the close, with nightwatchman Paul Harris two not out for the visitors who are 1-0 up in the series.
South Africa overcame a sizzling late innings blitz by Darren Sammy to take a 2-0 lead in the One-Day International series against the West Indies on Monday.
South Africa eased to a 66-run victory over West Indies thanks to centuries by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers and some aggressive bowling in the first One-day International on Saturday.
England, with a series win already secured, can complete South Africa's ignominious fall from the top of the rankings when the final Test of the four-match series starts at Centurion Park in Pretoria on Friday.
Lungi Ngidi ruled out for 'at least a week to 10 days'; Amla recovering well
Images from the third and final One-day International between India and South Africa on Saturday
Captain Hashim Amla emerged from a year of poor form with a dogged century to lead a South Africa fight back in the second Test against England on Monday.
Faced with a do-or-die situation after the heartbreaking one-run loss in Jaipur, South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl today hinted that the visitors may make some changes in their side for the second one-dayer against India in Gwalior on Wednesday.
South African run-machine Hashim Amla said every batsman hits a purple patch at some point in his career and the just-concluded series against India was his opportunity to make a mark.
Images from the fifth day's play in the second Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, on Thursday.
India will be counting on their spinners on the last day to score a series-levelling victory in the second Test against South Africa on Thursday. Rain and Hashim Amla frustrated them on Day four after Amit Mishra grabbed two wickets to reduce South Africa to 115 for 3 at close. The tourists are still 232 behind, with the in-form Amla on 49 and Ashwell Prince yet to get off the mark.
South Africa's veteran batsman Jacques Kallis believes that his team would fightback from the dead and bat out a draw on the final day of the second and final Test in Kolkata.
Intense action is in store when play resumes on Day 2. Can India bounce back and take a sizeable lead? India Abroad's Harish Kotian is at the ground posting updates as they happen. Follow what's the latest from the Test on Harish's MyPage!
India coach Gary Kirsten credited his bowlers for putting up a fine show and being resilient to end Day 1 on a high.
Images from Sunday's World Cup match between Pakistan and South Africa, at Lord's.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith hit a superb 19th Test century to put the hosts 330 runs ahead of England and in full control of the third Test after the third day at Newlands on Tuesday.
Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad ripped through South Africa's top order to put England on the brink of victory on the fourth day of the second Test on Tuesday.
Young pace sensation Lungi Ngidi has been rewarded for his recent performances with a place in South Africa's squad for the six-match ODI series against India starting in Durban on February 1.
Captain Kane Williamson struck a composed unbeaten century as New Zealand edged past South Africa by four wickets in a thrilling last-over finish.
Batsman AB de Villiers will return to the role of wicketkeeper for South Africa in the opening two Tests of their four-match home series against England starting in Durban on Boxing Day.
Slow left-armer Robin Peterson received a call-up on Friday when South Africa named two spinners in their squad for next month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Peterson will replace batsman Hashim Amla in the squad that is now preparing for the limited-overs section of their tour of England. South Africa won the Test series 2-1.
The home side have a narrow advantage of 20 runs with the brilliant De Villiers on 74 from 81 balls and all-rounder Vernon Philander to resume on 14 in the search for what could be crucial first innings runs in an engrossing contest.
The first One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka witnessed important milestones being set and new records being made.
Former South African skipper AB de Villiers is all set to take part in the upcoming Mzansi Super League.
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