In a major setback for South Africa, Dale Steyn will not bowl for his team in the remaining first Test match and is likely to miss the remaining series against India also, due to the heel injury he suffered.&nbsp;

However, he can bat for his team if required.

The right-arm pacer had injured his left heel on the second day of the first test match at Newlands, Cape Town.

Minutes before lunch, Steyn landed awkwardly in the footholds, and then stopped, fiddled with his shoe and tossed the ball to Vernon Philander, who later completed the over.

The 34-year-old part-walked, part-jogged off the field and was immediately taken for scans, which revealed the extent of the damage.

Later, team manager Mohammed Moosajee confirmed that Steyn would not bowl again in the match.

&quot;As we all know that during Dale&#39;s 18th &nbsp;over, during his delivery stride, he unfortunately landed awkwardly in the footholes. This caused a significant strain to the foot, leading to tissue damage on the underside of the foot in the heel area,&quot; Moosajee said.&nbsp;

He further informed that Steyn would need an estimated recovery time of four to six weeks to be back in the game.&nbsp;

&quot;He is unlikely to bowl in this Test match, because the recovery period for this could be anything from four to six weeks which means he could be out for the series. But what we will do is get one of the leading ankle surgeons to have a look at him tomorrow to give us an opinion.&quot;

Steyn has taken two wickets so far in the first Test. &nbsp;The Proteas have been dominating the proceedings so far with 142 runs lead.&nbsp;

The third day of the test match did not start due to heavy showers and is unlikely to resume today. &nbsp;

However, he can bat for his team if required.

In a major setback for South Africa, Dale Steyn will not bowl for his team in the remaining first Test match and is likely to miss the remaining series against India also, due to the heel injury he suffered. However, he can bat for his team if required. The right-arm pacer had injured his left heel on the second day of the first test match at Newlands, Cape Town. Minutes before lunch, Steyn landed awkwardly in the footholds, and then stopped, fiddled with his shoe and tossed the ball to Vernon Philander, who later completed the over. The 34-year-old part-walked, part-jogged off the field and was immediately taken for scans, which revealed the extent of the damage. Later, team manager Mohammed Moosajee confirmed that Steyn would not bowl again in the match. "As we all know that during Dale's 18th over, during his delivery stride, he unfortunately landed awkwardly in the footholes. This caused a significant strain to the foot, leading to tissue damage on the underside of the foot in the heel area," Moosajee said. He further informed that Steyn would need an estimated recovery time of four to six weeks to be back in the game. "He is unlikely to bowl in this Test match, because the recovery period for this could be anything from four to six weeks which means he could be out for the series. But what we will do is get one of the leading ankle surgeons to have a look at him tomorrow to give us an opinion." Steyn has taken two wickets so far in the first Test. The Proteas have been dominating the proceedings so far with 142 runs lead. The third day of the test match did not start due to heavy showers and is unlikely to resume today.

Heel injury restricts Dale Steyn from bowling in first Test, likely to miss series

South Africa has never been a happy hunting place for Team India. Out of the 17 Tests that they have played in the country since 1992, they have managed just two victories so far.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, there is a distinct difference between the current Indian team and those of the past. Led by a fearless Virat Kohli, the present Indian team oozes confidence. It has in them the talent and the spirit to upstage the robust South Africans in their own den when they take them on at Cape Town on the 5th of January for the first Test of the three-match series.

&nbsp;

Aside from Kohli himself, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin and Murali Vijay have been India&rsquo;s star performers in Test cricket in the recent past that has led to their rise as the No. 1 Test team in the world. The visitors would be banking on them to make a difference in the Test series against South Africa.

&nbsp;

This epic Test series is likely to be witness to some great individual performances from both sides given the amount of talent on display. As we wait for this big battle to begin, it would be the apt time to relive some of the great individual performances in India-South Africa Test history.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Virender Sehwag&rsquo;s blistering 319 bulldozes South Africa - Chennai, 2008

&nbsp;

Virender Sehwag knew only one way to bat &ndash; see the ball, hit the ball. This trait of his was especially evident in the 1st Test between India and South Africa at Chennai in 2008. Trying to overtake South Africa&rsquo;s mammoth 1st innings total of 540, the home side were led by a marauding Virender Sehwag who absolutely tore into the robust South African bowling.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Using his typical hand-eye co-ordination, Sehwag smashed every bowler with disdain to reach a career-best 319 off just 304 balls with 42 fours and 5 sixes &ndash; his second triple hundred and also the highest ever Test score by an Indian. The match ended in a draw, but Sehwag&rsquo;s sizzling knock was unforgettable.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Sachin Tendulkar smashes outstanding hundred amid ruins - Cape Town, 1997

&nbsp;

The visiting Indian side was having a torrid time on their tour to South Africa in 1996-97. After having lost the first Test, they were tottering at 5-58 in the second Test at Cape Town while trying to reach South Africa&rsquo;s massive total of 529. But then, Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar produced one of his best ever knocks to save India the blushes.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Fighting fire with fire, Sachin, along with Mohammad Azharuddin (115), took on the likes Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock and punished them in a dazzling display of batsmanship. Sachin scored a majestic 169 off 254 balls with 26 fours and it was courtesy his knock that India could manage to post 359. Unfortunately, they lost the match by 282 runs later.

&nbsp;

Daryll Cullinan&rsquo;s gallant century saves South Africa from certain defeat - Johannesburg, 1997

&nbsp;

Chasing a tough target of 356 on an uneven Wanderers pitch on the last day of the third Test against India, South Africa was looking down the barrel at 7-95. With the bowlers of the visiting Indian side showing great vigor, it was only Daryll Cullinan who stood tall among the ruins. Even as the ball moved around viciously, Cullinan displayed great character and stuck around. He punished the loose balls and kept rotating the strike with the tail. Eventually, Cullinan remained unbeaten on a terrific 122 with 15 fours and a six that helped South Africa squeeze out a nerve-wracking draw.

&nbsp;

Lance Klusener gets eight-wicket haul on debut to destroy India &ndash; Kolkata, 1996:

&nbsp;

It was a debut performance of a lifetime. After having lost the first Test at Ahmedabad, the South African side needed to come back strongly in the second Test at Kolkata on their tour to India in 1996. Their saviour turned out to be debutant Lance Klusener.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Set a colossal target of 467 for victory, the Indian innings was rocked by the sensational seam bowling effort by Klusener. Appearing in his maiden Test match, Klusener showed remarkable maturity in bowling tight lengths and extracting prodigious seam movement off the Eden Gardens pitch.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

One after the other, the Indian batsman fell to his sharp inswingers and away ones. Klusener ended with phenomenal figures of 8-64 &ndash; the best bowling figures yet in India-South Africa Tests &ndash; that shot India out for just 137 and gave South Africa a comprehensive 123-run victory.

&nbsp;

Sreesanth records magnificent five-wicket haul to give India first Test win in South Africa &ndash; Johannesburg, 2006

&nbsp;

On three previous tours and 9 Tests before 2006, the Indian team had not been able to achieve a single victory in South Africa. That changed in the very first Test of India&rsquo;s tour to South Africa in 2006-07 at Johannesburg. On a track that assisted pacers, India batted first and was bowled out for just 249. However, as they came to bowl, the visitors turned things around courtesy an absolutely majestic spell of seam bowling by S Sreesanth. Moving the ball around both ways with a fabulous seam position, Sreesanth dismantled the stable South African batting order. He recorded terrific figures of 5-40 that helped bowl the home team out for just 84 and eventually gave India a historic maiden Test victory in South Africa by 123 runs. It was a spectacular spell and will go down as one of the very best seen in the country.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Out of the 17 Tests, Indian Team have played in the country since 1992, they have managed just two victories so far.

South Africa has never been a happy hunting place for Team India. Out of the 17 Tests that they have played in the country since 1992, they have managed just two victories so far. However, there is a distinct difference between the current Indian team and those of the past. Led by a fearless Virat Kohli, the present Indian team oozes confidence. It has in them the talent and the spirit to upstage the robust South Africans in their own den when they take them on at Cape Town on the 5th of January for the first Test of the three-match series. Aside from Kohli himself, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin and Murali Vijay have been India’s star performers in Test cricket in the recent past that has led to their rise as the No. 1 Test team in the world. The visitors would be banking on them to make a difference in the Test series against South Africa. This epic Test series is likely to be witness to some great individual performances from both sides given the amount of talent on display. As we wait for this big battle to begin, it would be the apt time to relive some of the great individual performances in India-South Africa Test history. Virender Sehwag’s blistering 319 bulldozes South Africa - Chennai, 2008 Virender Sehwag knew only one way to bat – see the ball, hit the ball. This trait of his was especially evident in the 1st Test between India and South Africa at Chennai in 2008. Trying to overtake South Africa’s mammoth 1st innings total of 540, the home side were led by a marauding Virender Sehwag who absolutely tore into the robust South African bowling. Using his typical hand-eye co-ordination, Sehwag smashed every bowler with disdain to reach a career-best 319 off just 304 balls with 42 fours and 5 sixes – his second triple hundred and also the highest ever Test score by an Indian. The match ended in a draw, but Sehwag’s sizzling knock was unforgettable. Sachin Tendulkar smashes outstanding hundred amid ruins - Cape Town, 1997 The visiting Indian side was having a torrid time on their tour to South Africa in 1996-97. After having lost the first Test, they were tottering at 5-58 in the second Test at Cape Town while trying to reach South Africa’s massive total of 529. But then, Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar produced one of his best ever knocks to save India the blushes. Fighting fire with fire, Sachin, along with Mohammad Azharuddin (115), took on the likes Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock and punished them in a dazzling display of batsmanship. Sachin scored a majestic 169 off 254 balls with 26 fours and it was courtesy his knock that India could manage to post 359. Unfortunately, they lost the match by 282 runs later. Daryll Cullinan’s gallant century saves South Africa from certain defeat - Johannesburg, 1997 Chasing a tough target of 356 on an uneven Wanderers pitch on the last day of the third Test against India, South Africa was looking down the barrel at 7-95. With the bowlers of the visiting Indian side showing great vigor, it was only Daryll Cullinan who stood tall among the ruins. Even as the ball moved around viciously, Cullinan displayed great character and stuck around. He punished the loose balls and kept rotating the strike with the tail. Eventually, Cullinan remained unbeaten on a terrific 122 with 15 fours and a six that helped South Africa squeeze out a nerve-wracking draw. Lance Klusener gets eight-wicket haul on debut to destroy India – Kolkata, 1996: It was a debut performance of a lifetime. After having lost the first Test at Ahmedabad, the South African side needed to come back strongly in the second Test at Kolkata on their tour to India in 1996. Their saviour turned out to be debutant Lance Klusener. Set a colossal target of 467 for victory, the Indian innings was rocked by the sensational seam bowling effort by Klusener. Appearing in his maiden Test match, Klusener showed remarkable maturity in bowling tight lengths and extracting prodigious seam movement off the Eden Gardens pitch. One after the other, the Indian batsman fell to his sharp inswingers and away ones. Klusener ended with phenomenal figures of 8-64 – the best bowling figures yet in India-South Africa Tests – that shot India out for just 137 and gave South Africa a comprehensive 123-run victory. Sreesanth records magnificent five-wicket haul to give India first Test win in South Africa – Johannesburg, 2006 On three previous tours and 9 Tests before 2006, the Indian team had not been able to achieve a single victory in South Africa. That changed in the very first Test of India’s tour to South Africa in 2006-07 at Johannesburg. On a track that assisted pacers, India batted first and was bowled out for just 249. However, as they came to bowl, the visitors turned things around courtesy an absolutely majestic spell of seam bowling by S Sreesanth. Moving the ball around both ways with a fabulous seam position, Sreesanth dismantled the stable South African batting order. He recorded terrific figures of 5-40 that helped bowl the home team out for just 84 and eventually gave India a historic maiden Test victory in South Africa by 123 runs. It was a spectacular spell and will go down as one of the very best seen in the country. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Why South Africa has never been a happy hunting place for Team India

Cheteshwar Pujara, a vital cog in India&#39;s batting wheel, today stressed on the importance of leaving the ball on the bouncy pitches of South Africa during the three-Test series beginning here on Friday.

India lost the series 0-1 on the previous tour of South Africa four years ago but Pujara was amongst the runs alongside Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.

&quot;It is important to leave the ball well, especially overseas. Once you move out of Asia, there is enough bounce in the pitches and that is the reason one should be able to leave the ball,&quot; said Pujara after a practice session here.

The gritty 29-year-old has gained valuable experience from his two trips to South Africa, and goes into his third series here in a positive frame of mind.

&quot;It (the adjustment) is both technical and mental. The good thing is that most of the players have been here before. Personally, I have been here twice (2010-11 and 2013-14). It is about knowing your game, knowing the conditions and you just need to apply yourself.&quot;

India arrived here four days ago and go into the first Test without playing a warm-up match.

Asked if the players feel rusty, Pujara replied in the negative.

&quot;See, when we were playing at home against Sri Lanka, we had the South Africa series in our minds. We had prepared few things even in India. I don&#39;t think we are in any rush, there is plenty of time to prepare.&quot;

Indian batsmen struggled in the Sri Lanka series when they played on bowling friendly tracks in Kolkata and Dharamsala.

The moving ball is not so much a factor in South Africa, it is the bounce.

&quot;Yes, there will be some bounce and that is always a challenge. But this time we have have enough preparation and we would like to back ourselves and try and execute the things which we have done over the past one and a half months.&quot;

Pujara said majority of the squad members have played here and that experience will come handy.

&quot;I think the experience is most important. You know what to expect from the pitch, what to expect from the opposition. Nothing can match the experience of scoring on such pitches. You know what you want to do as a batsman and even as a team,&quot; said India&#39;s number three.

The team has been training intensely at the Western Province Cricket Club. Pujara was pleased with the preparation so far.

&quot;Preparation has been fantastic. We have had three net session so far and twice we had two sessions in a day. We are very confident of our chances,&quot; he said adding the team is determined to win their maiden series in South Africa.

Considering the unusual drought Cape Town is experiencing, the Newlands pitch might not get the amount of water needed to have a fast and bouncy track over five days.

However, Pujara is not losing sleep over the kind of pitches Indian batsmen will get to play on.

&quot;We are not bothered about the kind of pitches they will prepare. We will just try to focus on our processes. We have a clear gameplan, if it is a flat wicket or a grassy one,&quot; he said.

He refused to speak on the opposition&#39;s strengths and weaknesses, saying his team is well balanced for the challenge.

&quot;It is up to South Africa how they want to prepare. It doesn&#39;t matter who plays for them. As a unit we are well prepared. Our pace attack is also much better this time. They are quick. We have that advantage this time,&quot; said Pujara.

India have picked five specialist pacers for the series with all-rounder Hardik Pandya being the sixth fast bowing option.

Pujara backed the pace department to do the job for the team.

&quot;I can mention the Australia Test series at home. Our pacers picked so many wickets even though the pitches were flat. There will be lot of assistance here and I am sure they have made their gameplans by now.&quot;

India will also tour England and Australia over the next 18 months, giving the current team a great opportunity to become one of the greatest Indian sides of all time. Pujara acknowledged that prospect.

&quot;Yes, we have that opportunity. If we do well here and in England and Australia. We have a team which can dominate overseas and it will be one of the best teams India have ever had (if we do well in South Africa, England and Australia),&quot; he added.

India lost the series 0-1 on the previous tour of South Africa four years ago

Cheteshwar Pujara, a vital cog in India's batting wheel, today stressed on the importance of leaving the ball on the bouncy pitches of South Africa during the three-Test series beginning here on Friday. India lost the series 0-1 on the previous tour of South Africa four years ago but Pujara was amongst the runs alongside Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. "It is important to leave the ball well, especially overseas. Once you move out of Asia, there is enough bounce in the pitches and that is the reason one should be able to leave the ball," said Pujara after a practice session here. The gritty 29-year-old has gained valuable experience from his two trips to South Africa, and goes into his third series here in a positive frame of mind. "It (the adjustment) is both technical and mental. The good thing is that most of the players have been here before. Personally, I have been here twice (2010-11 and 2013-14). It is about knowing your game, knowing the conditions and you just need to apply yourself." India arrived here four days ago and go into the first Test without playing a warm-up match. Asked if the players feel rusty, Pujara replied in the negative. "See, when we were playing at home against Sri Lanka, we had the South Africa series in our minds. We had prepared few things even in India. I don't think we are in any rush, there is plenty of time to prepare." Indian batsmen struggled in the Sri Lanka series when they played on bowling friendly tracks in Kolkata and Dharamsala. The moving ball is not so much a factor in South Africa, it is the bounce. "Yes, there will be some bounce and that is always a challenge. But this time we have have enough preparation and we would like to back ourselves and try and execute the things which we have done over the past one and a half months." Pujara said majority of the squad members have played here and that experience will come handy. "I think the experience is most important. You know what to expect from the pitch, what to expect from the opposition. Nothing can match the experience of scoring on such pitches. You know what you want to do as a batsman and even as a team," said India's number three. The team has been training intensely at the Western Province Cricket Club. Pujara was pleased with the preparation so far. "Preparation has been fantastic. We have had three net session so far and twice we had two sessions in a day. We are very confident of our chances," he said adding the team is determined to win their maiden series in South Africa. Considering the unusual drought Cape Town is experiencing, the Newlands pitch might not get the amount of water needed to have a fast and bouncy track over five days. However, Pujara is not losing sleep over the kind of pitches Indian batsmen will get to play on. "We are not bothered about the kind of pitches they will prepare. We will just try to focus on our processes. We have a clear gameplan, if it is a flat wicket or a grassy one," he said. He refused to speak on the opposition's strengths and weaknesses, saying his team is well balanced for the challenge. "It is up to South Africa how they want to prepare. It doesn't matter who plays for them. As a unit we are well prepared. Our pace attack is also much better this time. They are quick. We have that advantage this time," said Pujara. India have picked five specialist pacers for the series with all-rounder Hardik Pandya being the sixth fast bowing option. Pujara backed the pace department to do the job for the team. "I can mention the Australia Test series at home. Our pacers picked so many wickets even though the pitches were flat. There will be lot of assistance here and I am sure they have made their gameplans by now." India will also tour England and Australia over the next 18 months, giving the current team a great opportunity to become one of the greatest Indian sides of all time. Pujara acknowledged that prospect. "Yes, we have that opportunity. If we do well here and in England and Australia. We have a team which can dominate overseas and it will be one of the best teams India have ever had (if we do well in South Africa, England and Australia)," he added.

It is important to leave the ball well: Cheteshwar Pujara on SA challenge

Moeen Ali made 146 before his vulnerability against short-pitched bowling was again manifested as India claimed three wickets on the second morning to restrict England to 352 for seven in the fifth and final test on Saturday.

Debutant Liam Dawson was batting on 27 at lunch with Adil Rashid on eight at the other end with the tourists pressing for a pride-salvaging victory in a series they lost with a match to spare.

Resuming on 284-4, England got an early jolt with Ravichandran Ashwin striking with the day&#39;s fifth delivery at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

The leading wicket-taker of the series had endured a rare wicketless day on Friday and Ashwin lured Ben Stokes onto the front foot to edge a fuller delivery which Parthiv Patel collected behind the stumps.

Paceman Ishant Sharma trapped Jos Buttler lbw for five while Moeen, who resumed on 120, looked ill at ease against the short-pitched deliveries which he often fended awkwardly.

The left-hander virtually walked into a trap when Umesh Yadav forced him into playing a pull shot, which the batsman mistimed to find Ravindra Jadeja at deep mid-wicket.

Moeen faced 262 balls, hitting 13 boundaries and a six, before surrendering to what is now a familiar weakness.

Dawson endured a tough test initiation, the second ball he faced from Sharma smacking him on his helmet but the 26-year-old grew confident with time to hit three boundaries, the last of which took England past the 350-mark.

(Reuters)

India claimed three wickets on the second morning to restrict England to 352 for seven in the fifth and final test on Saturday

Moeen Ali made 146 before his vulnerability against short-pitched bowling was again manifested as India claimed three wickets on the second morning to restrict England to 352 for seven in the fifth and final test on Saturday. Debutant Liam Dawson was batting on 27 at lunch with Adil Rashid on eight at the other end with the tourists pressing for a pride-salvaging victory in a series they lost with a match to spare. Resuming on 284-4, England got an early jolt with Ravichandran Ashwin striking with the day's fifth delivery at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The leading wicket-taker of the series had endured a rare wicketless day on Friday and Ashwin lured Ben Stokes onto the front foot to edge a fuller delivery which Parthiv Patel collected behind the stumps. Paceman Ishant Sharma trapped Jos Buttler lbw for five while Moeen, who resumed on 120, looked ill at ease against the short-pitched deliveries which he often fended awkwardly. The left-hander virtually walked into a trap when Umesh Yadav forced him into playing a pull shot, which the batsman mistimed to find Ravindra Jadeja at deep mid-wicket. Moeen faced 262 balls, hitting 13 boundaries and a six, before surrendering to what is now a familiar weakness. Dawson endured a tough test initiation, the second ball he faced from Sharma smacking him on his helmet but the 26-year-old grew confident with time to hit three boundaries, the last of which took England past the 350-mark. (Reuters)

Cricket: England 352-7 after Moeen walks into short-pitch trap

India captain Virat Kohli maintained his red-hot form as he and Murali Vijay struck fine centuries to help the hosts overtake England on day three of the fourth test at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts, leading 2-0 in the five-match series, reached 451 for seven at the close, 51 runs ahead of the touring side.

Captain Kohli was unbeaten on 147 at stumps with Jayant Yadav on 30 not out.

The 28-year-old Kohli brought up his 15th test hundred and second of the series and celebrated with a leap in the air, bringing the 22,000 crowd at the stadium overlooking the Arabian Sea to their feet.

Kohli batted majestically, rarely looked in trouble, and hit 17 fours with sublime stroke-making.

He shared crucial stands with the lower-order batsmen, 57 with Ravindra Jadeja for the seventh wicket and an unbroken 87 with Yadav.

Vijay and Kohli, who also passed 1,000 test runs in 2016 and 4,000 in his career, added 116 for the third wicket before the former was out for 136, hitting a full toss from Adil Rashid straight back to the leg-spinner.

England successfully reviewed the umpire&#39;s not out decision to dismiss Karun Nair lbw for 13 off Moeen Ali before part-time off-spinner Joe Root picked up the wickets of Parthiv Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin in four balls.

India, who were comfortably placed on 262-2, were reduced to 307-6 before Kohli and Jadeja propped them up. Jadeja was out to Rashid for 25.

The hosts could have been in more trouble if Rashid had held on to a return catch from Kohli, then on 68. Root also dropped Yadav on eight off James Anderson, compounding England&#39;s problems.

Yadav was reprieved again on 28 when replays showed he had edged Moeen to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow down the leg side but England did not have any reviews left to challenge the umpire&#39;s not out decision.

Resuming on 146 for one, the hosts suffered an early jolt when Cheteshwar Pujara (47) was bowled by the second ball of the morning shouldering arms to paceman Jake Ball.

However, it proved to be the only success for the English bowlers in the morning as Vijay and Kohli flayed the attack.

Vijay reached his second century of the series with a single against off-spinner Moeen and hit 10 fours and three sixes in his knock.

He was given out lbw to Rashid on 116 but managed to overturn the decision on review as replays suggested he got an inside edge before the ball struck his pad.

(Reuters)

The hosts, leading 2-0 in the five-match series, reached 451 for seven at the close, 51 runs ahead of the touring side

India captain Virat Kohli maintained his red-hot form as he and Murali Vijay struck fine centuries to help the hosts overtake England on day three of the fourth test at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The hosts, leading 2-0 in the five-match series, reached 451 for seven at the close, 51 runs ahead of the touring side. Captain Kohli was unbeaten on 147 at stumps with Jayant Yadav on 30 not out. The 28-year-old Kohli brought up his 15th test hundred and second of the series and celebrated with a leap in the air, bringing the 22,000 crowd at the stadium overlooking the Arabian Sea to their feet. Kohli batted majestically, rarely looked in trouble, and hit 17 fours with sublime stroke-making. He shared crucial stands with the lower-order batsmen, 57 with Ravindra Jadeja for the seventh wicket and an unbroken 87 with Yadav. Vijay and Kohli, who also passed 1,000 test runs in 2016 and 4,000 in his career, added 116 for the third wicket before the former was out for 136, hitting a full toss from Adil Rashid straight back to the leg-spinner. England successfully reviewed the umpire's not out decision to dismiss Karun Nair lbw for 13 off Moeen Ali before part-time off-spinner Joe Root picked up the wickets of Parthiv Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin in four balls. India, who were comfortably placed on 262-2, were reduced to 307-6 before Kohli and Jadeja propped them up. Jadeja was out to Rashid for 25. The hosts could have been in more trouble if Rashid had held on to a return catch from Kohli, then on 68. Root also dropped Yadav on eight off James Anderson, compounding England's problems. Yadav was reprieved again on 28 when replays showed he had edged Moeen to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow down the leg side but England did not have any reviews left to challenge the umpire's not out decision. Resuming on 146 for one, the hosts suffered an early jolt when Cheteshwar Pujara (47) was bowled by the second ball of the morning shouldering arms to paceman Jake Ball. However, it proved to be the only success for the English bowlers in the morning as Vijay and Kohli flayed the attack. Vijay reached his second century of the series with a single against off-spinner Moeen and hit 10 fours and three sixes in his knock. He was given out lbw to Rashid on 116 but managed to overturn the decision on review as replays suggested he got an inside edge before the ball struck his pad. (Reuters)

India-England Test, Day 3: Sublime Kohli, Vijay put India ahead

Wriddhiman Saha&rsquo;s battling half-century helped India reach 316 before the hosts tore into the New Zealand top order on the second day of the second test at Eden Gardens on Saturday.

<meta charset="utf-8" />

<meta charset="utf-8" />

After India were dismissed shortly before lunch, the home side&#39;s seamers did all the early damage as New Zealand staggered to 85 for four in their first innings before rain forced an early tea break.

Stand-in captain Ross Taylor (30) was unbeaten at the crease with Luke Ronchi (35) falling leg before on the last ball before the umpires signalled the players off the field as the weather deteriorated.

Mohammed Shami trapped opener Tom Latham (one) leg before, while an out-of-sorts Martin Guptill (13) departed when the ball ricocheted off of his elbow and onto his stumps after he lifted his arms to avoid a Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivery.

Henry Nicholls (one) was out soon after play resumed in the second session when the left-handed batsman chopped Kumar on to his stumps to reduce the Kiwis to 23-3.

Taylor and Ronchi, who made 38 and 80 in the first test in Kanpur, then took the fight to the hosts with a 62-run fourth wicket stand as they opted to play shots against India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ronchi was dropped by substitute fielder Gautam Gambhir at short point off Shami and then survived a confident leg before appeal against Jadeja before his luck ran out and he was trapped in front by the left-arm spinner.

New Zealand&#39;s hopes will rest heavily on Taylor&#39;s shoulders with regular captain Kane Williamson absent through illness and the tourists can expect a further trial by spin on a wearing track as the innings progresses.

Resuming on 239-7, India, who lead the three-test series 1-0, added some valuable runs through their lower-order batsmen, with Saha (54 not out) completing his third test fifty.

The 31-year-old, who has cemented his place in India&rsquo;s test side after the retirement of long-standing captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was struck on the elbow and the ribcage by some hostile New Zealand bowling.

But the right-handed batsman did not flinch and brought up his fifty with a four and a six in successive deliveries off left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, much to the delight of the crowd, who applauded at length for the local cricketer.

Saha added 41 for the eighth wicket with Jadeja (14) and another 35 for the final one with fellow home favourite Shami.

Fast bowler Matt Henry, who took two catches in the morning, was the most successful of the New Zealand bowlers by claiming a three-wicket haul, while Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Jeetan Patel all picked up two a piece.

(Reuters)

The Indian pacer optimised a conducive pitch to blow up the Kiwi batting spine on Day 2 of the second Test

Wriddhiman Saha’s battling half-century helped India reach 316 before the hosts tore into the New Zealand top order on the second day of the second test at Eden Gardens on Saturday. After India were dismissed shortly before lunch, the home side's seamers did all the early damage as New Zealand staggered to 85 for four in their first innings before rain forced an early tea break. Stand-in captain Ross Taylor (30) was unbeaten at the crease with Luke Ronchi (35) falling leg before on the last ball before the umpires signalled the players off the field as the weather deteriorated. Mohammed Shami trapped opener Tom Latham (one) leg before, while an out-of-sorts Martin Guptill (13) departed when the ball ricocheted off of his elbow and onto his stumps after he lifted his arms to avoid a Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivery. Henry Nicholls (one) was out soon after play resumed in the second session when the left-handed batsman chopped Kumar on to his stumps to reduce the Kiwis to 23-3. Taylor and Ronchi, who made 38 and 80 in the first test in Kanpur, then took the fight to the hosts with a 62-run fourth wicket stand as they opted to play shots against India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ronchi was dropped by substitute fielder Gautam Gambhir at short point off Shami and then survived a confident leg before appeal against Jadeja before his luck ran out and he was trapped in front by the left-arm spinner. New Zealand's hopes will rest heavily on Taylor's shoulders with regular captain Kane Williamson absent through illness and the tourists can expect a further trial by spin on a wearing track as the innings progresses. Resuming on 239-7, India, who lead the three-test series 1-0, added some valuable runs through their lower-order batsmen, with Saha (54 not out) completing his third test fifty. The 31-year-old, who has cemented his place in India’s test side after the retirement of long-standing captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was struck on the elbow and the ribcage by some hostile New Zealand bowling. But the right-handed batsman did not flinch and brought up his fifty with a four and a six in successive deliveries off left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, much to the delight of the crowd, who applauded at length for the local cricketer. Saha added 41 for the eighth wicket with Jadeja (14) and another 35 for the final one with fellow home favourite Shami. Fast bowler Matt Henry, who took two catches in the morning, was the most successful of the New Zealand bowlers by claiming a three-wicket haul, while Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Jeetan Patel all picked up two a piece. (Reuters)

Bhuvneshwar's five-for hobbles New Zealand's pursuit of India's 316

West Indies were facing the prospect of another huge series-opening defeat at 21 for one in their second innings at stumps, a deficit of 302 runs, after being forced to follow-on on the third day of the first Test against India on Saturday. 
 
Fast-medium bowlers Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami took four wickets each to wreck the home side&#39;s first innings, dismissing them for 243 in the final session of the day with half-centuries by opener Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich representing the only meaningful resistance. 
 
Brathwaite, who defied India&rsquo;s array of pace and spin for almost five hours in getting to 74, could not survive the first over of the second turn at the crease, being trapped palpably leg-before by Ishant Sharma. 
 
&quot;It was a decent knock in the first innings but I would have loved to go on,&quot; said Brathwaite at the close of play. 
 
&quot;With three out-and-out pacers and two spinners, the Indians have a lot to choose from. They stuck to their plans very well. It was never easy batting against them.&quot; 
 
Rajendra Chandrika and Darren Bravo survived to the close and will resume on the fourth day hoping to put up a much more concerted effort than in the first innings. 
 
In their previous three Test series, the West Indies lost the opening matches at home to Australia by nine wickets a year ago and then by an innings in Sri Lanka and Australia at the end of 2015. 
 
India&#39;s bowlers made a mockery of all the lamentations of a placid, lifeless pitch over the first two days with an impressive, purposeful effort throughout the day. 
 
They were held up though at the start of play as Braithwaite and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo frustrated Virat Kohli and his men for 75 minutes until leg-spinner Amit Mishra had Bishoo stumped by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. 
 
It was second of six dismissals for Saha in the innings, putting him alongside Syed Kirmani and Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test innings. 
 
From that point on it became a virtual procession of West Indies batsmen to and from the wicket with Shami outstanding either side of the lunch interval when he disposed of Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Blackwood to add to his dismissal of Chandrika late on the second evening. 
 
Debutant Roston Chase displayed a measure of grit in a 47-run stand for the sixth wicket with Brathwaite, but the reintroduction of Yadav for another spell in mid-afternoon proved telling. 
 
Chase miscued an attempted pull to give Kohli a simple catch at short midwicket and Brathwaite could not get out of the way of a sharp lifter to give a catch behind. 
 
Dowrich counter-attacked superbly in getting to an unbeaten 57 with ten fours by the time the innings folded, Yadav dispensing with Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite off successive balls before Mishra completed the job by bowling a heaving Shannon Gabriel. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Debutant Roston Chase displayed a measure of grit in a 47-run stand for the sixth wicket with Brathwaite

West Indies were facing the prospect of another huge series-opening defeat at 21 for one in their second innings at stumps, a deficit of 302 runs, after being forced to follow-on on the third day of the first Test against India on Saturday. Fast-medium bowlers Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami took four wickets each to wreck the home side's first innings, dismissing them for 243 in the final session of the day with half-centuries by opener Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich representing the only meaningful resistance. Brathwaite, who defied India’s array of pace and spin for almost five hours in getting to 74, could not survive the first over of the second turn at the crease, being trapped palpably leg-before by Ishant Sharma. "It was a decent knock in the first innings but I would have loved to go on," said Brathwaite at the close of play. "With three out-and-out pacers and two spinners, the Indians have a lot to choose from. They stuck to their plans very well. It was never easy batting against them." Rajendra Chandrika and Darren Bravo survived to the close and will resume on the fourth day hoping to put up a much more concerted effort than in the first innings. In their previous three Test series, the West Indies lost the opening matches at home to Australia by nine wickets a year ago and then by an innings in Sri Lanka and Australia at the end of 2015. India's bowlers made a mockery of all the lamentations of a placid, lifeless pitch over the first two days with an impressive, purposeful effort throughout the day. They were held up though at the start of play as Braithwaite and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo frustrated Virat Kohli and his men for 75 minutes until leg-spinner Amit Mishra had Bishoo stumped by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. It was second of six dismissals for Saha in the innings, putting him alongside Syed Kirmani and Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test innings. From that point on it became a virtual procession of West Indies batsmen to and from the wicket with Shami outstanding either side of the lunch interval when he disposed of Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Blackwood to add to his dismissal of Chandrika late on the second evening. Debutant Roston Chase displayed a measure of grit in a 47-run stand for the sixth wicket with Brathwaite, but the reintroduction of Yadav for another spell in mid-afternoon proved telling. Chase miscued an attempted pull to give Kohli a simple catch at short midwicket and Brathwaite could not get out of the way of a sharp lifter to give a catch behind. Dowrich counter-attacked superbly in getting to an unbeaten 57 with ten fours by the time the innings folded, Yadav dispensing with Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite off successive balls before Mishra completed the job by bowling a heaving Shannon Gabriel. (AFP)

West Indies trails by 302 runs on 3rd day of first Test against India

Virat Kohli stroked a commanding 12th Test century to put India in control at 302 for four when stumps were drawn on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies on Thursday. 
 
Having chosen to bat first on winning the toss, the Indian captain led the way with a thoroughly authoritative innings of 143 not out, decorated with 16 fours that has so far occupied just over four hours off 197 deliveries. 
 
He put on 105 for the third wicket with Shikhar Dhawan, the opening batsman missing out on a three-figure innings of his own, when he fell lbw for 84 sweeping at Devendra Bishoo on the stroke of the tea interval. 
 
Bishoo&#39;s mixture of leg-breaks and googlies were the greatest threat to the Indians throughout a long, tiring day for the home side at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium although his three wickets were more the result of poor shot-selection by Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. 
 
He ended the day with figures of three for 108 off 27 overs. 
 
Surprisingly he was not called upon by his captain, Jason Holder, in the first period of play, when even debutant batsman and part-time off-spinner Roston Chase delivered eight overs. 
 
However, his dismissal of Pujara via a horribly miscued pull in the first over after lunch ushered in Kohli, who proceeded to transform the rest of the day into a testament to his ever-increasing stature as a batsman of the highest class. 
 
In stark contrast, the usually destructive Dhawan was content to play the supporting role. 
 
Famed for his adventurous attacking instincts in all forms of the game, the left-handed opening batsman displayed admirable restraint in the early exchanges against bowling that lacked any real pace and potency, with the notable exception of Shannon Gabriel, who caused alarms for the Indian opening pair with his raw pace. 
 
&quot;I enjoyed my knock. I just had to take the punches (early on) and I was happy I had the persistence to keep going,&quot; said Dhawan. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s not every time I&#39;ll keep getting boundaries from the start. I had to grind it out.&quot; 
 
Gabriel removed Murali Vijay for just seven after half-an-hour&rsquo;s play when the right-hander fended at a lifting delivery for Kraigg Brathwaite to take the catch at the second attempt at second slip. 
 
Pujara looked untroubled on joining Dhawan at the crease with the pair putting on 60 before the middle-order player&rsquo;s error of judgement at the start of the afternoon session. 
 
Having opted to go into the match without uncapped fast-medium bowler Miguel Cummins, the only other pace threat available in the West Indies pre-match squad of 13, it was left to Holder, fellow medium-pacer Carlos Brathwaite and Chase to do the bulk of the early work in support of Gabriel before Bishoo got into his work after lunch. 
 
Nevertheless, those bowling resources, were made to appear decidedly inadequate on a placid pitch and against batsmen prepared to keep the scoreboard ticking over. 
 
Early in his innings Kohli passed 3,000 career Test runs and later on reached 1,000 as Test captain. But the most important figures were the partnerships built around his excellent innings. 
 
His century stand with Dhawan was followed by a further 60 put together with Rahane followed by a fifth-wicket stand so far worth 66 with Ravichandran Ashwin. 
 
With two Test centuries against the West Indies on the Indian sub-continent, the lower-order player will resume on the second morning unbeaten on 22 alongside Kohli. 
 
While the West Indies have packed their side with batting, India opted for a bowling attack comprising three pacers and two spinners, omitting Ravindra Jadeja in preference for Amit Mishra to work in tandem with Ashwin as specialist slow bowlers. 
 
West Indies have not defeated India in Test cricket for 14 years since the end of the 2002 series in the Caribbean and are the decided underdogs for the first meeting with these opponents on home soil for five years. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The Indian captain stole the show by hitting 143* which involved 16 fours

Virat Kohli stroked a commanding 12th Test century to put India in control at 302 for four when stumps were drawn on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies on Thursday. Having chosen to bat first on winning the toss, the Indian captain led the way with a thoroughly authoritative innings of 143 not out, decorated with 16 fours that has so far occupied just over four hours off 197 deliveries. He put on 105 for the third wicket with Shikhar Dhawan, the opening batsman missing out on a three-figure innings of his own, when he fell lbw for 84 sweeping at Devendra Bishoo on the stroke of the tea interval. Bishoo's mixture of leg-breaks and googlies were the greatest threat to the Indians throughout a long, tiring day for the home side at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium although his three wickets were more the result of poor shot-selection by Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. He ended the day with figures of three for 108 off 27 overs. Surprisingly he was not called upon by his captain, Jason Holder, in the first period of play, when even debutant batsman and part-time off-spinner Roston Chase delivered eight overs. However, his dismissal of Pujara via a horribly miscued pull in the first over after lunch ushered in Kohli, who proceeded to transform the rest of the day into a testament to his ever-increasing stature as a batsman of the highest class. In stark contrast, the usually destructive Dhawan was content to play the supporting role. Famed for his adventurous attacking instincts in all forms of the game, the left-handed opening batsman displayed admirable restraint in the early exchanges against bowling that lacked any real pace and potency, with the notable exception of Shannon Gabriel, who caused alarms for the Indian opening pair with his raw pace. "I enjoyed my knock. I just had to take the punches (early on) and I was happy I had the persistence to keep going," said Dhawan. "It's not every time I'll keep getting boundaries from the start. I had to grind it out." Gabriel removed Murali Vijay for just seven after half-an-hour’s play when the right-hander fended at a lifting delivery for Kraigg Brathwaite to take the catch at the second attempt at second slip. Pujara looked untroubled on joining Dhawan at the crease with the pair putting on 60 before the middle-order player’s error of judgement at the start of the afternoon session. Having opted to go into the match without uncapped fast-medium bowler Miguel Cummins, the only other pace threat available in the West Indies pre-match squad of 13, it was left to Holder, fellow medium-pacer Carlos Brathwaite and Chase to do the bulk of the early work in support of Gabriel before Bishoo got into his work after lunch. Nevertheless, those bowling resources, were made to appear decidedly inadequate on a placid pitch and against batsmen prepared to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Early in his innings Kohli passed 3,000 career Test runs and later on reached 1,000 as Test captain. But the most important figures were the partnerships built around his excellent innings. His century stand with Dhawan was followed by a further 60 put together with Rahane followed by a fifth-wicket stand so far worth 66 with Ravichandran Ashwin. With two Test centuries against the West Indies on the Indian sub-continent, the lower-order player will resume on the second morning unbeaten on 22 alongside Kohli. While the West Indies have packed their side with batting, India opted for a bowling attack comprising three pacers and two spinners, omitting Ravindra Jadeja in preference for Amit Mishra to work in tandem with Ashwin as specialist slow bowlers. West Indies have not defeated India in Test cricket for 14 years since the end of the 2002 series in the Caribbean and are the decided underdogs for the first meeting with these opponents on home soil for five years. (AFP)

India vs West Indies: Kohli puts India on edge with 12th Test century

&nbsp;All-rounder Chris Woakes is confident that England selectors will be able to squeeze both Ben Stokes and himself into the starting lineup for the four-match test series against Pakistan starting next month. 
 
Woakes was called up to the side last month after fellow all-rounder Stokes injured his knee during the first test victory over Sri Lanka in Leeds. 
 
The 27-year-old went on to score 105 runs in three innings and picked up eight wickets as England romped to a 2-0 series victory over the Sri Lankans following a comfortable win in Durham and a rain-affected draw at Lord&#39;s. 
 
&quot;I&#39;d be stupid to think that, if Ben (Stokes) is fit, I&#39;m going to play (over him), but I might have given them (the selectors) a headache. I might be able to fit into the team even if he is involved again,&quot; Woakes told British media. 
 
Meanwhile, test team mate Stuart Broad has set his sights on representing England at the 2019 50-overs World Cup after the seamer was omitted from the squad for the Sri Lanka one-day series announced earlier this week. 
 
&quot;A big aim of mine is to be in that World Cup squad in 2019. The two major tournaments coming up are that and the Champions Trophy and I&#39;ve got to plot a way back in really,&quot; said Broad, who is England&#39;s third-highest wicket-taker in one-day cricket. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m still only 29... A lot of people have played at World Cups at 32 and that&#39;s certainly not an old age for a cricketer, so I&#39;ve got huge goals to be a part of that and have to pick some stuff to get involved in.&quot; 
 
The 2019 World Cup is being hosted by England and Wales. 
(Reuters)

He was called up after his fellow all-rounder hurt his knee

All-rounder Chris Woakes is confident that England selectors will be able to squeeze both Ben Stokes and himself into the starting lineup for the four-match test series against Pakistan starting next month. Woakes was called up to the side last month after fellow all-rounder Stokes injured his knee during the first test victory over Sri Lanka in Leeds. The 27-year-old went on to score 105 runs in three innings and picked up eight wickets as England romped to a 2-0 series victory over the Sri Lankans following a comfortable win in Durham and a rain-affected draw at Lord's. "I'd be stupid to think that, if Ben (Stokes) is fit, I'm going to play (over him), but I might have given them (the selectors) a headache. I might be able to fit into the team even if he is involved again," Woakes told British media. Meanwhile, test team mate Stuart Broad has set his sights on representing England at the 2019 50-overs World Cup after the seamer was omitted from the squad for the Sri Lanka one-day series announced earlier this week. "A big aim of mine is to be in that World Cup squad in 2019. The two major tournaments coming up are that and the Champions Trophy and I've got to plot a way back in really," said Broad, who is England's third-highest wicket-taker in one-day cricket. "I'm still only 29... A lot of people have played at World Cups at 32 and that's certainly not an old age for a cricketer, so I've got huge goals to be a part of that and have to pick some stuff to get involved in." The 2019 World Cup is being hosted by England and Wales. (Reuters)

Woakes thinks there'll be room for him, and Stokes on the England team

test-series-0

Test Series, News on Test Series, stories on Test Series, articles on Test Series, Test Series stories at Wion, Test Series news, Test Series latest news

test series-0