India vs South Africa 2nd Test: Watch SA’s fall of wickets in 55 all out as Siraj runs through the lineup in an incredible opening session | Cricket News
It was a dream start to the new year for the Indian Test team in Cape Town, after 2023 ended on a nightmare note with an innings defeat at Centurion. After winning the toss and opting to bat, South Africa were shot out for just 55 in an innings that ended before lunch was taken on the opening day of the second Test on Wednesday.
The wrecker in chief was Mohammed Siraj who got on a roll in an incredible opening spell as he claimed his best Test figures, with South Africa’s batters lasting just 23.2 overs.
South Africa’s total was its lowest since being readmitted to the test arena in 1991.
Siraj took 6-15 in a stunning nine-over burst as the Proteas collapsed before lunch. It was his third five-wicket haul in his 23rd test, and his first against South Africa. His previous best was 5-60 against the West Indies in Port of Spain last year.
Jasprit Bumrah also took 2-25 while Mukesh Kumar picked up two wickets without conceding a run in 2.2 overs.
Siraj’s 9-over spell read:0001000W000000W0100000100W00001001000000310W00W02004W0
Wickets fell like nine pins! 🎳
.@mdsirajofficial & Co. were on the target this morning, snapping up all 10 #SouthAfrica wickets in just the first session of the Test!
Watch all the fall of wickets here!
Tune-in to #SAvIND 2nd TestLIVE NOW | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/viu3OGxCL8
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 3, 2024
The procession started in the fourth over, with Aiden Markram caught at slip for two. Stand-in skipper Dean Elgar, who scored 185 in the first test at Centurion, was bowled for four as Siraj sent back both openers.
Tony de Zorzi was caught behind and Bumrah sent back debutant Tran Stubbs for three, caught at short leg.
There was a 19-run partnership for the fifth wicket between David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne, but it was only a brief respite for the hosts.
Siraj dismissed both batters in the space of 10 deliveries, with Verreynne’s 15 the Proteas’ top score. In between, he sent back Marco Jansen.
Bumrah’s 2nd was Nandre Burger’s wicket, who was caught at slip. Kumar was introduced later and he took two wickets in 14 deliveries, accounting for Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, the last wicket to fall.
