Keegan Petersen managed to score a maiden half-century in the 1st session on Day 2 of the 2nd Test against India at the Wanderers.
South Africa finished the session on 102-4 after losing three wickets for 67 runs. They trail India by 100.
South Africa posted 35/1 at the end of Day 1. The only wicket to fall on Day 1 was Aiden Markram who was trapped LBW by Mohammed Shami, with SA at 15/1 at that point.
The Proteas 2nd wicket pair of Elgar and Keegan Petersen matched each other on approach, by being patient, guarding themselves against the uneven bounce and unpredictable seam movement nipping in towards the stumps.
Shami was the most impressive bowler when it came to hassling Petersen in particular, with a couple of deliveries slicing the No 3 batter in half.
KP, however, held his nerve by meeting bad deliveries with some well-balanced drives and good deliveries with sturdy defensive shots. He also shouldered arms cautiously when needed.
On the other end, Dean Elgar was striking at under 20, taking his time to set himself and work hard to stay at the crease and frustrate India. He found his runs mainly through singles and the occasional boundary with a controlled edge through the gap between 3rd slip and gully, or a beautifully timed straight drive.
But after facing 120 balls and spending hours at the crease, Thakur found a short enough delivery to find the slightest of edges from Elgar. That was the end of the 74-run partnership between the pair.
Petersen was dropped on 12 by Pant on Day 1 and has since made every run count. Three fours came in the over that he lifted his bat and head to the heavens – an edge through the slips, one flick through midwicket and a gorgeous cover drive that helped bring up the 100 for SA.
But Test cricket was back at teaching lessons to our new half-centurion. He played at delivery outside off stump that he perhaps would have left if he had not reached the milestone, and edged Shardul Thakur to the slips for his second of the day.
Thakur took his third when he found Rassie van der Dussen’s inside edge to the keeper on the last ball before Lunch.
South Africa’s hard work was undone, and with two new batters at the crease, the hosts will need to reset and start over.
