Cricket: South Africa thrash India in first test

NAGPUR - South Africa romped to a crushing victory over India by an innings and six runs on Tuesday after another superb display by pace bowler Dale Steyn on the fourth day of the first test.

India scored 233 in its initial reply to South Africa's mammoth first innings total of 558 for six declared at BCA stadium, forcing the follow on. Though Sachin Tendulkar scored 100 in his team's second innings the home side again ran into trouble and was all out for 319.

Steyn, who had ripped through India's first innings with career best figures of 7-51, took another three wickets for 57 runs in its second, while Paul Harris also plundered three wickets for 76 runs as South Africa sealed a comfortable victory.

The visitors had made a decisive start at the crease with Hashim Amla scoring 253 not out and Jacques Kallis adding 173 in the first innings, and they never looked back, particularly after Steyn's devastating spell.

South African skipper Graeme Smith said: "It's a terrific feeling to be able to lead the series 1-0. We had a definite plan and have been able to execute that."

Paying tribute to what he called "a unique team effort," Smith added: "I am happy that our players have been able to display professionalism and handled the pressure well. Steyn did a fantastic job in swinging the ball both ways beside utilising the reverse swing to our advantage."

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was sporting in defeat, saying: "We have been beaten outright in all aspects by the South African team.

"Steyn is the best among the swing bowlers that I have seen during last 10 to 12 months."

Having resumed on Tuesday with India on 66-2, Smith introduced left arm spinner Harris for Morne Morkel after the first five overs of the day in an effort to force a breakthrough, while Steyn continued from the other end.

The ploy paid immediate dividends as Harris claimed Murali Vijay for 32, Morkel taking the catch.

The departure of Murali saw Tendulkar joined by Subramaniam Badrinath, only for him to be dismissed for 6 shortly after to a full-length delivery from Wayne Parnell that he edged to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Tendulkar managed to anchor the innings - albeit temporarily - and reach his 46th test century before being bowled by Harris after lunch. He faced 179 deliveries and hit 13 boundaries, but had been dropped by Kallis at first slip off a ball from Parnell in the 15th over of the day when on 45.

Dhoni was dismissed eight overs later when he was caught by A.B. de Villiers at silly point off a Harris ball to leave India at 209-6.

A solid rearguard action followed from the tailenders with debutant Wriddhiman Saha scoring 36, Harbhajan Singh adding 39 and Zaheer Khan chipping in with 33.

However, India was only delaying the inevitable and, fittingly, it was Steyn who brought the match to an end when he bowled Amit Mishra for nought in the 108th over.

The second of the two-test series will be played at Eden Gardens in Calcutta from February 14.

Dhoni said he hoped that injured players Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman, who missed the first test, would be fit for the second match.

- AP