Centuries from Quinton de Kock and Dean Elgar saw the Proteas post 385/8 by stumps on day three of the 1st Test against India, writes Naeemah Benjamin.
Ending day two on 39/3 and trailing by more than 450 runs, many expected South Africa to fold on day three, but that was not the case.
The senior batsmen stepped up and revived their side’s first innings giving everyone hope and belief. It was a truly eventful day which South Africa won by a mile.
South Africa resumed day three on 39/3. Temba Bavuma was dismissed early for 18 which brought the skipper Faf du Plessis to the crease with the Proteas on 63/4.
SA put the demons of 2015 behind them and fought back beautifully led by Faf and Elgar who began the timely fight back for the visitors, attacking the spinners which forced Indian skipper Virat Kohli to take them out of the attack and bring on his seamers.
They didn’t go into the usual defensive mode, instead, they played with intent and determination. Du Plessis scored his 20th Test half-century and first in India. It was a superb captain’s knock.
Elgar, one of the grittiest Test openers, stood tall in tough conditions against a quality Indian bowling unit. He scored a brilliant 160. His 12th Test ton and first in India sharing in a 115-run partnership with Faf and a 164-run stand with Quinton de Kock.
If you had asked anyone who they thought might score a century for SA on this tour, none would have said Elgar based on his decline in form. But that’s just the thing, aren’t these the type of knocks one can expect from Elgar?
SA scored 114/1 in the first session and continued their fight back mission after the lunch break.
READ: SESSION MOMENTS: DEAN ELGAR DIGS IN
When De Kock came to the crease the Proteas were 178-5 and he too showed that they were not going to back down and be defensive. He was good on attack instantly. He brought up his 5th Test century and his first in India becoming the only SA wicketkeeper-batsman to score a ton in India.
In the second session SA added 159 runs with the loss of only 1 wicket. Shortly after tea they avoided the follow on and the partnership of 164 between Elgar and De Kock took SA to 354/6.
READ: SESSION MOMENTS: DEAN ELGAR BRINGS UP 12TH CAREER CENTURY
Crucial runs by the lower order left SA just a tad short of 400 at Stumps on day three with a lot of work still left. But there’s hope. So much hope.
The Proteas are in with a massive chance to forge out a draw but they’ll have to try and trim down the deficit with only 2 wickets in hand. Both Muthusamy and Maharaj are handy with the bat.
