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How they were out

	VVS Laxman continued his love affair with the SCG, posting his third century in Tests at the ground © Getty Images

VVS Laxman finally got India’s batting on this Australian tour off the ground, with an enthusiastic and entertaining century, and Rahul Dravid once again battled hard in dour fashion. Dravid spent time in the middle with Laxman but both fell in the dying moments of the second day, handing the initiative back to Australia. The much-needed Indian resistance spanned almost two sessions, but it was Australia who had won the first, pushing their first-innings score to 463 thanks mainly to an unbeaten 162 from Andrew Symonds.Laxman in particular was in a perfect mood, punishing anything that was too straight or too full. His customary elegant wristy play ensured that even deliveries short of a good length were kept down, and the boundaries came all round the park. He did survive one close call for lbw early on against Lee, and was the beneficiary of some fielding largesse, but on a day like this, where he batted with panache against an attack that has dominated India’s batsmen, these blips can be overlooked.When India began their first innings, still very much up against it after Australia had scored 463 in less than four sessions, there was an unmistakable sense of déjà vu as a runless opening passage was followed by the wicket of Wasim Jaffer. Brett Lee pulled the perfect three-card trick, pushing Jaffer firmly onto the back foot with a couple of with a couple of pacy short deliveries before slipping in the perfect yorker – quicker than anything else – to nail the base of off stump.There was just a chance that India would wobble once more, and when Dravid was caught at slip chasing a wide no-ball from Mitchell Johnson it appeared as though the Melbourne script was set to be replayed. But then things changed as Dravid began to find his feet, and move them positively, both when leaving the ball well alone and when driving through the off side.The short-pitched attack continued for a time, but with Dravid and Laxman playing with soft hands and getting on top of the ball, the Australian bowlers were forced back into bowling a fuller length. This coincided with strokes being played as the bounce was true and gaps in the outfield plentiful with an attacking field being set. Both batsmen used the pace of the bowlers well, working the ball away for boundaries to get some momentum going.The half-century of the partnership came up in only 57 balls, with Laxman dominating, and Dravid contributing just 10 runs. It was not long before Laxman brought up his own half-century, off just 43 balls, with a remarkable 40 of those runs coming in boundaries. Lee returned for another spell on the verge of tea, but could not break through and Laxman was getting a firm grip on proceedings at a ground where he has twice made big hundreds.Laxman’s approach meant that Dravid, who batted with such extreme caution and determination that he looked like he might burst into tears at any moment, could take the opportunity to dig deep. Laxman was timing the ball handsomely and his placement was excellent. In the second session Laxman scored 73 at a better than a run a ball, albeit with a let-off as Adam Gilchrist missed a tough chance down leg side – he also put down an easier catch on the off side straight after tea. At the same time Dravid, who took the occasional ironic cheer from the Sydney crowd when he ran a single after a spell of blocking or leaving the ball alone, ground his way to a half-century.Just when Dravid allowed himself a smile he also committed a blunder, having an airy waft outside the off to a shortish ball from Johnson that landed in Matthew Hayden’s midriff at comfortable catching height off the outside edge. All innings Dravid had fetched the ball from outside the off and driven, occasionally exposing himself to the slip catch in the process, but this was the one fatal mistake, and he cursed himself all the way back to the dressing-room, having fallen on 53 off 160 balls.

	Andrew Symonds began the day by reaching his highest Test score © Getty Images

If the half-century milestone did for Dravid then a lapse in concentration ended Laxman’s stay on 109 just two runs after the fall of the second wicket. Driving away from his body, without quite getting to the pitch of the ball, Laxman broadened Brad Hogg’s perpetual grin, only finding Michael Hussey at short cover off a top-spinner. A relatively strong 1 for 183 had quickly changed to a vulnerable 3 for 185, with two new batsmen at the crease to negotiate the last half hour. But Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly managed well enough, taking India to the close on 3 for 216.India were still 247 behind Australia’s 463, but it was their strongest batting day of the tour yet. The bowlers, who have outshone their more fashionable counterparts so far, had some hard work of their own to do earlier in the day. Andrew Symonds’ hulking figure was once again at the foreground, blotting out the light at the end of the tunnel, while Lee helped himself to a fourth Test half-century. Symonds, unbeaten on 162 when the Australian innings eventually ended, had put his team in a position of total control, something that hardly seemed likely at the same time on the first day.Lee pushed along confidently from his overnight 31 to 59, and was unafraid to drive on the up, punching the ball through the off side to pick up boundaries. It was not until the 14th over of the second day when India finally struck through Kumble, who managed to get a ball to come back into Lee and drew a positive lbw decision from Steve Bucknor. India were relieved to have an umpiring call go their way after Symonds survived another close shave when Bucknor did not refer a tight stumping appeal, which could have gone either way, off Harbhajan Singh.Johnson then added irritation value to some crucial runs, striking the ball as though he had been in the middle for a couple of hours. Compact and confident, Johnson played his shots, scoring quickly and not needing to be shielded by Symonds, who was by this time nearing the 150-mark. Johnson was worth 28 runs in a partnership of 40 that came on the back of stands of 175 and 143. It was Kumble who struck again, this time benefiting from an ambitious stroke as Johnson’s attempted heave over midwicket failed to clear Ganguly in the deep. Kumble wrapped the innings up soon after with Stuart Clark, the No. 11, playing true to his position and failing to score, trapped in front.

Have you tried to obtain a visa? If you have, or just want to add to the debate, click here and tell us what you think

The impression here continues to be a money-making exercise and thus also a ‘rip-off’ which is the way it still seems to be, for which the reputations of all Caricom countries will suffer

The shambolic organisation surrounding the issuing of visas for many of those traveling from Australia and New Zealand to the World Cup shows no sign of improving.Almost a fortnight after the scale of the problem first came to light, it seems that little has been done to alleviate the situation. Mike Agostini, who until recently was Trinidad and Tobago’s honorary consul in Australia, reported to Cricinfo that the Caricom Visa issuing offices in Sydney were “are still not operative, or, if so, just barely”.In a letter to Rose Blenman, who is in charge of the implementation of the controversial US$100 visa, Agostini wrote: “Are you intent on deluding the people wanting such visas, many of whom are continuing to complain, especially travel agents, about the failure of this Mission to provide proper assistance?”He also flagged that applicants from New Zealand faced an even more difficult problem because of the lack of appropriate information and also the fact that they had to pay for the additional costs of sending their applications and passports to Sydney as well as for their return.”I am as amazed as I am appalled at what is happening here and looks likely to become much worse, with the deadline for these visas being January 15, 2007 and the issuing office not fully operative and the time stated for issuing of visas and return of passports being still ‘up to three weeks’.”He warned that the whole exercise was set to become a “total debacle” unless the scheme was abandoned. “The impression here continues to be a money-making exercise and thus also a ‘rip-off’ which is the way it still seems to be, for which the reputations of all Caricom countries will suffer.”Cricinfo has tried to contact Caricom to ask for clarification of the situation but has received no response. We have also asked Cricket Australia whether it has taken up the issue on behalf of supporters but no response has been forthcoming.Chris Dehring, who is heading the organisation of the event, said: “”We believe the outcome of what Caricom has implemented … will be much appreciated by fans. The visa cost works out to US$10 per country which is not particularly high. Also, nationals of many Caribbean countries require a visa to go to Australia and in some cases they have to send their passports to Washington.”

Who we go put? Well, here’s my choice, Wavell Wayne Hinds. In just over a month from now the West Indies cricketers, barring any unforeseen disagreements relating to salaries, sponsorships or sunglasses and jewelry allowances, will be assembling for a training camp in Barbados ahead of the tour of New Zealand. Assuming they really have the interest of the regional team at heart, the Ken Gordon-led West Indies board must be thinking of a leadership change and should have already discussed the options informally. Yes, we are coming up to Christmas, but the spirit and the spirits of the season should not dull the senses to appreciating that dragging their feet on the captaincy issue will only further stymie any serious effort at re-establishing a culture of discipline, commitment and real teamwork in the senior West Indies squad.For those who only see things on the basis of race and perceived slighting or disrespecting of their own, there is no point trying to explain that advocating the replacement of Shivnarine Chanderpaul as captain by Hinds is purely a cricketing decision. So let’s move on.At 29, Hinds has already showed in his leadership of the Jamaican team that he has some appreciation of what it means to be in charge of players who are friends and contemporaries at the higher level. As I understand it, he made it clear to Chris Gayle that his status as the established opening batsman in the West Indies side (imagine that, with his technique!) did not exempt him from the Jamaicans’ “no jewelry” policy during their highly successful 2005 regional first-class season. Telling a player to keep his prized diamond stud in the dressing room is not exactly a ringing endorsement of leadership, yet it does suggest that Hinds understands what a team ethic is all about, that very often individual desires and aspirations have to be sacrificed for the common good. Most importantly, he does not hesitate to lay down the law, which, at the end of the day, is what captaincy is all about.The previous panel of selectors had obviously seen the captaincy potential in Hinds when, with Carl Hooper, then regular captain, returning to Australia for knee surgery, they recommended him as deputy to Ridley Jacobs for the brief series in Bangladesh three years ago. Whether under the helmet at short-leg or somewhere in the outfield, his body-language is always positive, always aggressive, loudly urging on his team-mates and quick to offer advice.During last month’s tour of Australia, he impressed observers with his confident manner when representing the West Indies at a pre-series function in Brisbane. It may appear irrelevant, especially for a team struggling so desperately on the field, but a captain should also be a bit of a statesman, as much at ease in a jacket and tie in front of the microphone as with the burgundy cap pulled on in the dressing room.However, and this is a significant point, he has not been able to establish a regular place in the West Indies side more than five years after making his Test debut against Zimbabwe at the Queen’s Park Oval. After 44 Tests, his average (33.54) is modest, although he started this year with a double-century against South Africa at Bourda and scored half-centuries at Kensington Oval and Sabina Park against Pakistan later in the season. Like his compatriot, Gayle, his technique is far from ideal, and the sight of Hinds lunging into an extravagant drive only to edge a catch to the slips has become a familiar one in recent years. So there is no point dancing around it. In an ideal world, Hinds would not be on the short-list for the captaincy.But, in case we haven’t noticed, these are far from ideal times in West Indies cricket despite a few encouraging performances Down Under. Chanderpaul is out of his depth as captain, going back to Brian Lara at 36 is not an option and Ramnaresh Sarwan’s overall demeanour does not suggest that he can cope with such responsibility as yet. Taking the easy way out and making the job merely a reward for long service reeks of a trade union-type mentality that fails to recognise that leadership is not just about length of time in the job but the ability to motivate others. If the WICB directors or representatives can’t understand the need to break the old mould, then crapaud really smoke we pipe.The Australians have always taken pride in picking their best 11 players first and then choosing a captain from among them. Yet in Mark Taylor, they had a leader who was so desperately out of form during the 1996/97 season that he did not merit a place in the side. But the selectors stuck with him because he had the unwavering support of his team-mates and, very importantly, Australia kept on winning even if Taylor could hardly score a run.For the West Indies, the reverse is true. The regional side will continue to struggle never mind who is at the helm, so the captain will always be under pressure. However Hinds, who is very much an advocate of players’ rights as an executive member of the Players’ Association, might just be the one to heal the rifts created in the past year while at the same time work with Bennett King, West Indies’ coach, rather than simply take instructions from him.

Elite Group
ScorecardAfter Shikhar Dhawan’s heroics on the opening day, it was Ajay Jadeja’s turn to star against Karnataka at the Jamia Millia Cricket Ground in New Delhi. Jadeja stroked an unbeaten 103 to put Delhi in charge after Dhawan had departed for 130 early on day two. He found an able ally in Rajat Bhatia, who made an even 50, and Vijay Dahiya, who missed out on a half-century by a run when Sudhindra Shinde ran him out. Karnataka struggled for breakthroughs, with Sunil Joshi bowling a marathon 62 overs for figures of 4 for 117. At stumps, Robin Uthappa and Barrington Rowland had knocked off 32 from the arrears.
ScorecardAfter Ajit Agarkar wrapped up the two remaining Gujarat wickets for the addition of only 22 runs, Wasim Jaffer’s fluent 86 led Mumbai into a position of strength at the Wankhede Stadium. Jaffer stroked 16 fours in his 137-ball innings, and added 99 for the opening wicket with Vinayak Mane, who batted 158 minutes for his 28. Vinit Indulkar chipped in with 34, and Amol Muzumdar showed plenty of aggressive intent en route to an unbeaten 56 as Gujarat increasingly became lost for ideas.
ScorecardRaja Ali made 53 and Siddharth Joshi 47 as Railways stretched their first innings to 373 on day two. Madhya Pradesh were indebted to Yogesh Golwalkar, who bowled superbly for figures of 8 for 127. And after Harvinder Singh had dismissed Sachin Dholpure and Amay Khurasiya cheaply, Madhya Pradesh rebuilt through Naman Ojha and Devendra Bundela to leave the match intriguingly poised at the halfway stage.
ScorecardSyeb Sahabuddin mopped up the Bengal lower order for next to nothing, but then had to watch as his own batsmen fumbled against some tight bowling. Only Venugopal Rao crossed 30 as Murtaza Lodhgar, whose offspin fetched him figures of 4 for 34, and Saurasish Lahiri gave Bengal the initiative in a match that appears certains to have a result.
ScorecardRizwan Shamshad and Gyanendra Pandey, two of the veterans of the domestic circuit, added 114 for the fourth wicket to put Uttar Pradesh in control of this encounter at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad. Shamshad stroked a fine unbeaten 103, and Pandey struck 61, after Suresh Raina had struck a breezy 49 at the top of the order. For Hyderabad, who could add only 10 to their overnight total of 236 for 8, Anirudh Singh picked up 3 for 59.
ScorecardYuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia and Reetinder Singh Sodhi all failed, but Ravneet Ricky struck a battling 71 as Punjab struggled to match Tamil Nadu’s modest total of 244. Kuthethurshri Vasudevdas was left unconquered on 91 as Tamil Nadu added 53 before being bowled out, with Vikram Singh taking 5 for 70. When Punjab batted, Rajamani Jesuraj was the surprise package, taking 3 for 50 as the visitors lost all their top-order big guns before stumps.
ScorecardDhruv Mohan made an unbeaten 93, and Kaushik Aphale chipped in with 55 as Maharashtra built a handy lead in their game against Assam. Arnald Konwar picked up 3 for 92 as Assam fought to contain the home batsmen. Dheeraj Jadhav made 37 and Hrishikesh Kanitkar 42.

Somerset were left facing an uphill struggle if they are to salvage anything from their championship match against Worcestershire after ending the second day of the Bath Festival still needing 281 runs to avoid an innings defeat with all of their second innings wickets remaining.Resuming on 422 for 5, Andy Hall who was unbeaten on 30 overnight helped the visitors add a further 116 to their total before he was the last man out after becoming the third centurion for his team as Worcestershire were eventually all out for 538.The South African who was dismissed LBW by Keith Parsons after batting for a further twenty nine overs this morning, scored 104 runs that came from 115 balls, and included six sixes and eleven fours.There were two more wickets for Ian Blackwell today to give the slow left armer final figures of 4 for 131 from his 45 overs.The Cidermen’s opening pair of Piran Holloway and Mast Wood saw their first wicket partnership put on 40 runs before Wood was out for 8. Two runs later Holloway who had contributed 30 runs followed him back to the pavilion.James Bryant and Jamie Cox then seemed to have played themselves in and saw the Somerset hundred up before they both were out, Bryant becoming the first of Gareth Batty’s victims after he had scored 28 and Cox who was LBW to Hall for 37.Skipper Mike Burns followed shortly afterwards at which point tea was taken with the score on 138 for 5 wickets.After the break Blackwell scored 28 before he fell LBW to Batty, Rob Turner 23, Keith Dutch 17 and Nixon McLean was still at the wicket unbeaten on 35 as Somerset slipped to a disappointing 238 all out.Following on, Holloway and Wood remained unbeaten at the close by which time they had taken the score onto 19 without loss.At the end of the day Somerset coach Kevin Shine said: "This was not a good day for us. We just haven’t played the sort of disciplined cricket today that has taken us to the top of the table which was very disappointing, because conditions haven’t changed out there. They put together a formidable total and we should have done a lot better than the 238 runs we scored."He continued: "However at the close of play we have sat down and been very honest with ourselves about how things have gone today. We are top of the table and they are right behind us. We want to fight very hard and try to hang onto the credits that we have got ourselves so far this season."Meanwhile back at the County Ground in Taunton, Somerset seconds are also struggling to save the game against their Surrey counterparts.Chasing a formidable 600 for 8 declared the Second’s were all out for 248, with Antiguan policeman Anwar Prince top scoring with 129.Following on Somerset had moved onto 201 for 3 by the close, with Wes Durston unbeaten on 76 and triallist Ben Moore from Liverpool 30 not out. Earlier Cornishman Carl Gazzard had made 60.

Victorian cricket coach John Scholes resigned today, just six days before the state team starts its season with a one-dayer in Sydney against New South Wales.The former state batsman, who had coached the Bushrangers for five years, cited personal reasons for the shock decision.The Victorian Cricket Association faced a long board meeting tonight as it tried to work out how to replace Scholes so quickly.”The timing’s not perfect, although I think the environment and culture that exists will be able to cope with that,” Scholes told Channel Seven.Scholes had just signed a new contract to coach the team for the summer, but it is understood he had been under increasing pressure away from cricket for more than a month.”I just felt to go into the season personally, not being 100 per cent – I’ve just been struggling a little bit and been a bit flat – I didn’t think that was fair to Victorian cricket.”Scholes spoke to each member of the squad after breaking the news this morning to VCA chief executive Kevin Jacobs and chairman of selectors Shaun Graf.”It is a bit of a shock, I haven’t heard a great deal, but certainly it’s disappointing for our team,” said batsman Brad Hodge.Jacobs knew Scholes had been experiencing some problems, but said this afternoon: “It obviously shocked us no end. He said it was something he’d been thinking about for a while.”Jacobs also stressed the resignation had nothing to do with cricket issues.He conceded it was likely Victoria would re-work its current coaching staff, with Mick O’Sullivan and Brian McFadyen the two assistants under Scholes.The team is due to train again on Wednesday, ahead of Friday’s season launch.”We hope to make a decision fairly quickly,” Jacobs said.Jacobs praised Scholes’ contribution to Victorian cricket as a player and coach.”We would welcome him back in some manner,” he said.

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side take a break from their Premiership title charge on Monday evening, with the Bhoys facing a trip to Dundee United in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup.

And, while the fixture could present the 56-year-old Bhoys boss with a good opportunity to rotate his starting XI ahead of what is sure to be a tense run-in in the league, the Greek-Australian manager will be well aware that a domestic treble is still very much on the cards for the Hoops this season.

So, with that in mind, will Postecoglou make any changes that started the 3-1 win over Livingston last time out? Here’s how we think Celtic could line up against the Tangerines, as well as the latest team and injury news…

With Postecoglou recently revealing that all three of Mikey Johnston, Karamoko Dembele and Johnny Kenny will be available for selection on Monday evening, while David Turnbull and Kyogo Furuhashi remain sidelined, we predict the 56-year-old will make five changes to the team that lined up at the Tony Macaroni Arena last time out.

The first of these changes comes in the back five, with Josip Juranovic replacing Anthony Ralston at right-back, while Joe Hart retains his place between the sticks and Greg Taylor, Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers start at left-back and as the centre-back pairing respectively.

There are a further two changes in the middle of the park, with Tom Rogic – dubbed a “bad finisher” by Bhoys Analytics – and Nir Bitton making way for the returns of Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, while McGregor keeps his spot at the base of the Hoops’ three-man midfield.

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In attack, following his highly impressive returns for the Celtic B side in recent weeks, Dembele – who Football Tweet dubbed a “wonderkid” – is handed his first competitive start under Postecoglou, while Giorgos Giakoumakis is given the nod ahead of Daizen Maeda up top and Jota once again starts on the left.

AND in other news: Celtic could have made a “massive mistake” on £22k-p/w colossus, Ange would be livid

Ireland have named their squad for the World T20, adding batsman Kate McKenna to the 14 who secured a place at the tournament by winning the ICC Qualifier late last year.Isobel Joyce will captain the side, who have been drawn against Australia, the reigning champions, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka in Group A.”We’ve gone with the fourteen who performed so well out at the qualifying tournament in Thailand, with Kate McKenna also coming into the squad,” head coach Aaron Hamilton said. “Kate is an electric fielder, which is so important in the T20 game, and she will also bolster our batting line-up.”Cricket Ireland has also made a further coaching appointment for the World T20, which takes place in India in March, by bringing in former Australia wicketkeeper Julia Price – who played 10 Tests and 84 ODIs between 1996 and 2005 – as an assistant alongside Alex Cusack.”It’s great to have Julia joining our support staff for the World T20,” Hamilton said. “Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and coaching experience to the group.”Ireland women squad: Isobel Joyce (capt), Catherine Dalton, Laura Delany, Kim Garth, Jennifer Gray, Cecelia Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Robyn Lewis, Ciara Metcalfe, Kate McKenna, Lucy O’Reilly, Clare Shillington, Mary Waldron.

Former Cambridge University allrounder Richard Halsall will be appointed as England’s first full-time fielding coach, according to a report in The Times. The Schofield Report, published in May, recommended such a position be made permanent.Halsall has been working on a part-time basis with Sussex, as well as coaching the England Under-15 side. He also helped the England women prepare for their tour of India earlier this year.He is currently working as head of physical education at Wellington College but will have to give that post up if appointed by the ECB.

Stumps
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Wasim Jaffer lead India’s superb start on the first day at Newlands © Getty Images

Starts rarely come as emphatic as this, especially with India overseas and even more so in a series decider. Rahul Dravid presented his batsmen a New Year’s gift by calling tails at the toss, provided South Africa with a surprise opening pair and sat back to enjoy India’s best start in this country.Wasim Jaffer led the merriment on a bone-dry Newlands pitch, steering India to an imposing 254 for 3 at stumps in a largely one-sided contest. It was an indicator of Indian dominance that his partnership with Dinesh Karthik has been the only century opening stand by any country against South Africa in two years. Andre Nel’s absence, owing to a bruised ankle, hurt South Africa and they didn’t have much to cheer in a venue that is traditionally proved to be a fortress.It was a surface tailor-made for Jaffer, similar to the pancake-flat surfaces that he thrives on in domestic games back home. His third Test hundred, and first in the first innings, was a superbly-controlled affair, driving and pulling with authority. He gauged the nature of the pitch soon and reeled off regal strokes when presented with width.His back-foot expertise came to the fore, especially as the bowlers were unable to extract much lateral movement, and he rolled his wrists over the ball while attempting the pull. Confident defense was interspersed with smooth wristwork and, barring a couple of jaffas that beat the outside edge, he was totally in command. His only indiscretion came when he was on 116, hanging his bat limply and edging head-high to give Jacques Kallis, at second slip, his 100th victim.His partner was the surprise package. India decided to move Virender Sehwag down the order but instead of bringing in Gautam Gambhir, the specialist, went for Karthik, who last turned out for India in September 2005. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ill disposed with a chest infection and bruised fingers, and Karthik was asked to open for the first time in Tests.He enjoyed a large slice of fortune when on 32 – Graeme Smith fluffed a regulation edge at first slip – and occasionally resorted to the airy-fairy but he more than impressed with his compact technique. He got behind the line nicely and struck a gorgeous straight drive to welcome back Kallis to the bowling crease. He endured a nervy last over before tea, when Kallis targetted him with a bouncer barrage, but completed his second half-century in 14 innings. He was unlucky to be given out soon after tea, handing left-arm spinner Paul Harris with his maiden wicket, but he’d done a fine job by then.

Dinesh Karthik was the surprise package, going on to make a resolute half-century in his first time as a Test opener © Getty Images

Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, South Africa’s new-ball pair, couldn’t summon much life from the flat pitch and it was left to the accurate Shaun Pollock to provide some respite. He produced more movement than the rest and even managed to get the edge, only to be frustrated by Smith’s butterfingers at first slip. Pollock’s spell to Dravid, who was looking ominous in his brief stay, was a masterclass in prising out a wicket. He frustrated him with a nagging line, managed some reverse with the old ball before nailing him with a near-perfect delivery that pitched outside off and kissed the edge.Steyn came back to remove Jaffer with the new ball but Sachin Tendulkar, unfurling some gorgeous strokes towards the end, and VVS Laxman, cautiously shouldering arms, took India safely to stumps. Exactly three years ago, in a series decider at Sydney, Sourav Ganguly won the toss on a belter of a pitch and had the satisfaction of seeing his batsmen ending the opening day on 284 for 3. Is history about to repeat itself?Short cuts

Highlight of the day: After pull shot at Kingsmead, WasimJaffer had a lot to prove, most of all to himself. And on a pitch thatcould have been prepared in Mumbai or Nagpur, he did just that with afluent century, building on a circumspect start with some gorgeous driveson both sides of the wicket.Lowlight of the day: For two sessions, this was a triumphant return toTest cricket for Dinesh Karthik. But when the first ball after teaappeared to fly off the pad to silly point, his luck took a turn for theworse. Hashim Amla, who grabbed the ball, didn’t even bother to appeal,lobbing the ball back to Mark Boucher in an attempt to catch Karthik shortof the crease. But with Boucher backing up Paul Harris’s fervent appeal,Asad Rauf lifted the finger. Not the best of decisions, and certainly noway to end such a brave innings.Shot of the day: The first session had been all about patience andconsolidation, but soon after lunch, Karthik drove an over-pitcheddelivery from Makhaya Ntini past the mid-off fielder with a fluent swingof the bat. It was a glorious, breath-stopping stroke, from a man whoclearly believed that he belonged at this level.Ball of the day: When Rahul Dravid came in and set about Dale Steyn, thegame appeared to be running away from South Africa. It needed anotherrelentlessly accurate spell from Shaun Pollock to rein it back, and hecrowned it with the big wicket – Dravid nibbling at one that pitched justoutside off stump and held its line.Catch of the day: Late in the day, with the evening sun beating down,Jaffer poked at one from Steyn. It flew off the edge, and JacquesKallis stuck his hands in front of his face while moving to his right atsecond slip. Stunning reflexes from such a big man, and a fine way tobring up 100 catches in Tests.Message of the day: With the stump microphone audio available in anothersoundproof press box, all the chirping could be heard. Mark Boucher ledthe way with his exhortations, but it was Graeme Smith’s voice that wasmost distinctive. “He’s tired, boys, he’s done his bit for the team,” heshouted out, even as Paul Harris pitched into the rough outside off stump.Wasim Jaffer said not a word, but after one delivery had escaped for fourbyes, he paddle-swept another for four more. Cue momentary silence.Off the park: Even after bowling 18 wicket-less overs in the day, Ntini’sspirit was unbroken. Soon after close of play, he came down from thedressing room and signed dozens of autographs for the waiting fans – allwith that trademark goofy grin on his face. A touch of class, in a sportthat’s getting more and more distanced from its fans and roots.