Welcome to day 2 of the Test between India and South Africa. Jacques Kallis has never hit a double ton before. A great opportunity for him today and if he and SA can stretch that total, it should be fun to watch how India respond.
Yesterday Kallis gave a masterclass as he scored 159 not out, his 34th test century, putting him joint third with Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara. Only Ricky Ponting (39) and Sachin Tendulkar (45) are ahead of him. His innings also took him past a thousand runs versus India in his 12th game against them, and a further landmark – a long sought after maiden double century – awaits him on the second morning.
Despite coming in at a parlous six for two, Kallis played with tremendous freedom as he scored 101 of South Africa’s first 150 runs, collecting 13 fours and two sixes in total as he produced an absolute masterclass.
Amla’s solidity at three has been one of the keys to South Africa’s success over the last few years and he batted with tremendous composure and application, sealing up his end so Kallis could play with often remarkable freedom.
The sumptious flicks off his legs were there and he also cut vigorously as he collected 11 fours in his 115 not out off 225 balls.
A top-class display of batting from the pair who have made a habit of sharing big partnerships brought them 285 runs in five-and-a-half hours in their third-wicket stand, a record for any wicket for South Africa against India.
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February 7th, 2010 at 10:56 AM
100 – Ag, Super you beat me to it
February 7th, 2010 at 10:56 AM
The blogger raises his ass bent forward and salute the audience in front of him, his team mates all applaud for a well played 100.
Maybe this blogging is taking its toll, any ideas for a good kop dokter?
February 7th, 2010 at 10:57 AM
97 – Don’t think WI will get it.
February 7th, 2010 at 10:58 AM
102 –
February 7th, 2010 at 11:02 AM
103 no i doubt, no ways..
February 7th, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Puma we have a lot to say about SA,s play but what the heck are we doing now? Hell there is no point in playing for time now, get another 100 fast and leave at least 4 overs each tonight for Steyn and Morkel. Maybe even 2 for Parnell too.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:12 AM
or are they just trying to prove our theory wrong?
Current partnership 4 runs, 4.0 overs, RR: 1.00 (Boucher 0, Amla 4)
Makes the previous partnership looks lightning fast.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Boucher has not picked up the run rate yet. Pity AB went out.
Super, See WI playing back in OZ. Must be difficult the travel that. They were there before Christmas for the tests before Paki went to OZ now back there. Schedule like that is crazy. Should have played the odi’s after the tests.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:16 AM
106 – Super, Agree. Feel that Boucher should now try and make some runs there. Or do you think the are actually going to let Amla try for 300? That would be crazy, not in the teams interests that. Both now should just going for it I feel.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:19 AM
108
Thats funny i did not see it, the Aussies rule cricket its something about having a test in Aus over the festive periods. Some clause in their contracts with ICC.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:21 AM
I would love to see a South African 300 , but not at that cost. Hurry up Sir Amla, moer them.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:26 AM
something is happening now
February 7th, 2010 at 11:27 AM
110 – Yip, Just turned over to see them playing at the MCG. Daft when you think they were there before Christmas, could have played the odi’s then after the tests. Crazy. Costs money to go back and forward like that.
110 – Agree I would too love to see one of our players get 300 but not at the expense of us losing this test. So like you say, just moer them now Sir Amla
Get on with it 
February 7th, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Australia 256/8 (50 ov)
West Indies 111/6 (26.0 ov)
February 7th, 2010 at 11:46 AM
SA record 277 , will Smith let Amla go for it.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:47 AM
14 overs left , we should have been at 550 now
February 7th, 2010 at 11:53 AM
O so by the way Amla is past the 3000 run mark average now 44.2
February 7th, 2010 at 11:58 AM
116 – Super, We have batted too slow. Boucher picking it a bit now.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:01 PM
117 – Super, What you reckon we going to bat until close or declare with about 5 overs left?
February 7th, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Don’t think GS going to declare today. Think he is waiting for Amla to get his 300 or if he gets bowled out then will declare.
Hope it does not cost us the test.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:23 PM
I just saw a player talking to GS , looking at his watch. The team also wonder whats happening.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Malixole Soviti: “@ Tim, India is a very strong team that deserves everyone’s respect (Smith included). Let South Africa push it to 600, then declare. That will give his bowlers a very powerful platform. Be also mindful that our bowlers were not strong enough to run through the England’s tail. “
February 7th, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Boucher out.
Now we need to think if we should declare. Need time to bowl them out. Batting looks really good out there.
Also WELL DONE AMLA 250 NOW. Damn superb, really awesome.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:28 PM
1221 – Send a message to Amla to hurry up and get that 300 ortherwise declare. Need plenty time to bowl them out.
Remember Centurion probably left it about 8 overs too late when we declared and also at Newlands.
GS needs to do what is right now for the win.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:29 PM
meant 121
February 7th, 2010 at 12:30 PM
You know if one goes out to bat with the follow-on target higher than 400, you are in deep poo. That Pitch will be unplayable from day 4
February 7th, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Australia 256/8 (50 ov)
West Indies 143 (34.2 ov)
Australia won by 113 runs
February 7th, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Follow on target now 359 , i would have given Amla the record chance. Lets see if we can get a wicket tonight.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:36 PM
GS declared. Good need time to bowl them out.
Good luck to our bowlers. Will be good to get a wicket or two before close.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Super, Ja pity that Amla never got his 300 but it was taking a very long time. We needed this time to bowl them out. So if we win it I will be happy. Draw then would have loved Amla rather get his 300. But we can not take chances now. Have to have enough time to bowl them out.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:42 PM
I think we have the firepower to nail them. If not they will bat to 700+ to humiliate us. But lets see.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Their batsman not wasting time at all.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:57 PM
131 – Super, Hope they don’t get the 700. I know they have some superb batsmen but our bowling is good. So hoping we can bowl one out tonight that would be good.
So far they batting quick.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:06 PM
We did not bowl good in this 4 overs, but lets see if we can get regular wickets tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing the morning with me Puma, it was quite nice to discuss cricket and cricket alone.
Enjoy your day i am off now to join the family.
Talk later.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:11 PM
“That’s stumps on day 2. Amla stitched up his maiden double ton, Kallis dawdled in the morning and Smith declared at the end of the day. Join us tomorrow for more action”
Anybody explain what is dawdled? Not in my vocabulary.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:12 PM
We need to bowl very, very well tomorrow. They have come out fighting. Have a run a ball just about. Good batting from India so far. Early days I know but these two are two great batsmen.
Now bowl well tomorrow Proteas.
Cheers Super, Thanks for posting with me this morning. Enjoyed your company. Out of here now. Back later for the rugby.