Ken Borland

Both South Africa and India’s batsmen plundered runs before rain had the final say and gave the hosts an 11-run victory on the Duckworth/Lewis Method in the New Age Friendship Cup T20 at the BidVest Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

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Jacques Kallis and Colin Ingram blazed half-centuries to lay the foundation for South Africa’s total of 219 for four, and Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa were making a very good fist of the chase as they took India to 71 without loss in just 7.5 overs before rain stopped play.

After ending their innings on a tremendous high, Justin Ontong and Albie Morkel lashing 26 runs off the final over, South Africa were unable to make a breakthrough with the ball, but Lonwabo Tsotsobe’s three overs for just 15 runs were ultimately the difference as India were behind according to the Duckworth/Lewis calculation, but in control in many people’s eyes.

Gambhir hit seven fours and a six in his 49 not out off just 28 balls. It was a stunning mix of stylish strokeplay and awesome power from the left-hander and it definitely had South Africa on the back foot.

Uthappa had made it to 18 not out off 19 balls when the rain arrived to end the match.

Tsotsobe was the only bowler to keep the batsmen quiet, not conceding a boundary. The other four bowlers used by South Africa conceded 53 runs in 4.5 overs.

South Africa had earlier charged to the fourth-highest T20 international total ever as they plundered 219 for four.

Kallis – who was being “honoured” by the game – and Ingram established South Africa’s dominance with a record second-wicket stand of 119 off 81 balls, before Ontong and Morkel provided an emphatic conclusion by taking 26 runs off the final over bowled by Suresh Raina.

With overcast, rainy skies over the Wanderers only clearing a couple of hours before the toss, Mahendra Singh Dhoni called correctly and then sent South Africa in. Richard Levi hit four of his first six balls to the boundary, but his cameo was over almost before it had begun as left-armer Irfan Pathan switched to over the wicket and immediately had him caught at slip by Rohit Sharma for 19.

The colder weather in Johannesburg may have helped the amazing Kallis, but having flown halfway around the world from chilly New Zealand just 48 hours previously, the great all-rounder produced another remarkable innings to celebrate his own party.

Showing his usual ice-cool judgment, Kallis was content to push singles, until he found the length he wanted. He would then positively murder the ball, lashing five fours and two sixes in his 61 off 42 balls.

Ingram, battling to establish himself at international level, had a dream evening as he blasted a career-best 78 off 50 balls, with eight fours and three sixes.

Their century stand – coming off 72 balls – was the sixth by a pair of South African batsmen and the first against India. They batted through until the end of the 15th over, when Kallis was eventually caught by Rohit on the midwicket boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin.

That just seemed to bring out the best in Ingram as the last five overs produced a great finish by the South Africans – 78 runs being scored in the last five overs!

Ingram cut loose by scoring his last 28 runs off just 12 balls, finishing with eight fours and three sixes, most of his strokes being in keeping with the MCC Coaching Manual.

Off-spinner Raina had been the one Indian bowler to police the South Africans up till then and he removed Ingram at the start of the 18th over, Rohit taking his third catch of the innings – the first Indian to do so – diving forward at deep midwicket.

Only five runs had come from the over, before Ontong ended it with a slog-swept six over midwicket.

Irfan was then tidy in the 19th, conceding just a single Ontong boundary, before the experienced right-hander went into overdrive by hitting the first two balls of Raina’s final over for four and six. Ontong then missed a cunning quicker, flatter delivery from Raina to be bowled for a quickfire 22 off seven balls, but Morkel was just the man to close the innings, going six-four-six to finish with 16 not out off three balls.

Debutant Farhaan Behardien kept the momentum going with his 20 not out off 11 balls and these are exciting days for South African batting when one considers Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis weren’t even playing!

The end result was South Africa’s highest total against India, beating the 172-5 in the 2010 T20 World Cup in the West Indies, and the second-highest score they have ever made, behind the 241-6 against England at SuperSport Park in 2009/10.

The off-spinner Ashwin was the most economical of the visiting bowlers, with one for 33 in his four overs.

The rain returned to the Wanderers to stop South Africa’s ball-chasing as India raced to 71 without loss in 7.5 overs in their New Age Friendship Cup match in Johannesburg on Friday.

8th over – Gautam Gambhir provides India’s score with a late boost before the rain, top-edging a hook off Wayne Parnell for four and then lashing the next ball through the covers for four as he was offered too much width. Sadly for them, it’s not enough as India are still 14 runs behind the Duckworth/Lewis target.

7th over – Captain Johan Botha brings himself on to stem the bleeding, but Robin Uthappa steps out of his crease and drives the off-spinner’s first ball crisply through extra cover for four. Gautam Gambhir also collects a boundary, late-cutting Botha beautifully to third man for four.

4th over – Gambhir greets Rusty Theron’s introduction by bashing his first ball straight down the ground for four. Two balls later, the on-fire left-hander pulls a ball kindly placed on his hips behind square for four.

2nd over – Magnificent batting by Gambhir as he hammers Albie Morkel for four, six and four! The left-hander starts with a stylish cut that has tremendous power behind it, point getting a hand to the ball as he dived, but it still races away for four. Morkel then bowls short and wide and Gambhir lashes an uppercut over third man for six, before punching a drive through the covers for four.

South Africa innings

India were left aghast as South Africa plundered 219 for four in their New Age Friendship Cup T20 match at the BidVest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.

20th over – Suresh Raina bowls the final over and Justin Ontong drives the first ball sweetly over extra cover for four, before slog-sweeping the second delivery for a mighty six. WICKET – Raina’s next ball is quicker and flatter though, and this time Ontong misses the slog-sweep and is bowled for a quickfire 22 off seven balls. That serves to dispel the myth that he can’t hit the ball at the death! Albie Morkel comes in and just punches his first ball away on the leg-side, perhaps to get Behardien back on strike … but look! It’s gone for six! That just shows Morkel’s amazing ability. The powerful left-hander then ends the innings in style by flicking a short, leg-side delivery away for four and then powers a straight drive through the hands of Ravichandran Ashwin at long-on, low and flat for six!

19th over – Justin Ontong latches on to a fullish delivery from Irfan Pathan and blazes it through the covers for four.

18th over – WICKET – Suresh Raina has been the best of the Indian bowlers and he gets his reward as Colin Ingram slog-sweeps to deeep midwicket, Rohit Sharma’s third catch – an Indian record – being a good effort diving forward. Ingram’s career-best 78 off 50 balls, with eight fours and three sixes, was nevertheless a fantastic display of his undeniable talent and has put South Africa in a powerful position. Only five runs have come from the over, but Ontong ends it in style as he slog-sweeps his second ball for six.

17th over – Spectacular batting by Ingram! Vinay Kumar pitches full and wide and the left-hander square-drives him over backward point for six. Vinay responds with a rubbish ball down leg which Ingram turns fine for four, before cutting, again with superb timing, for four. Farhaan Behardien ends the over with his first boundary in South African colours, a trademark drive through extra cover for a splendid four.

15th over – Wonderful cricket by Ingram as he dances down the pitch to Ashwin and drives him magnificently over long-on for six. WICKET – India finally break the second-wicket stand of 119 off 81 balls as Jacques Kallis tries to slog-sweep the off-spinner, but the ball just slides on, the shot is cramped and Rohit takes the catch on the midwicket boundary. Kallis played an innings to remember on his tribute night – 61 off 42 balls – and is perhaps the only batsmen who could play like that 48 hours after flying halfway around the world!

14th over – India turn to the part-time nothingness that is Virat Kohli and what an over it is for South Africa! Kallis collects three successive boundaries, the first bringing up his half-century off just 36 balls as Ravichandran Ashwin makes a mess of a lofted drive on the long-on boundary, the ball spinning away and dribbling on to the rope. Kallis lashes the next ball through the covers to bring up the century stand – the first for South Africa against India – off just 72 balls and then plays a magnificent cover drive, picking the gap brilliantly between the wide long-off and the cover sweeper for his fifth four to go with a pair of sixes. Ingram also brings up his maiden T20 international half-century in the over, off 38 balls, with six fours and a six.

12th over – Off-spinner Rohit is the seventh bowler used and Kallis heaves him superbly over midwicket for six. Clever cricket by Ingram brings him four more runs as he comes down the pitch and drives inside-out over extra cover.

11th over – Another super shot by Ingram as Ashwin bowls a fraction short and the left-hander swings him sweetly over square-leg for six.

8th over – Yusuf Pathan comes on to bowl his darts and Kallis collects the first six of the evening. And it’s massive, the honouree launching a slightly-overpitched delivery majestically over long-on.

7th over – Praveen Kumar returns and bowls a full toss which Ingram dispatches over wide mid-on for four.

6th over – The first bit of spin for the innings and Ingram sweeps off-spinner Ashwin fine for four.

5th over – Too short from Vinay and Kallis gives himself room outside leg-stump and clatters the ball through point for his first boundary. Kallis ends the over with a shot of pure strength – standing still in the crease and short-arm jabbing an in-swinger over the head of deep mid-on for another four.

4th over – Ingram advances a couple of steps down the pitch to Irfan and punches him handsomely through the covers for four.

2nd over – Richard Levi now has 19 off just six balls, including four fours as he slaps his first delivery from Irfan through mid-off for four and then pulls through the diving midwicket for another boundary. WICKET – A change of angle does the trick for India, however, as left-armer Irfan comes over the wicket and bowls back of a length, finding the edge of Levi’s bat as he prodded at the delivery angled across him, Rohit Sharma taking a low catch at slip. It was the first defensive stroke Levi played, perhaps that was the problem! Colin Ingram times his first ball beautifully as he steers Irfan through point with an impressive square-drive for four.

1st over – A sensational start by Levi! The first ball of the match from Praveen is driving confidently straight down the ground for three runs by Levi. Kallis, as is his wont, then takes a couple of balls before getting off the mark with a single pushed into the covers. Levi’s second ball is hoisted over extra cover for four and then he shows wonderful touch and skill as he chops a ball down through the vacant gully for another boundary.

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Johan Botha on Thursday seemed as relaxed and jovial as someone who was about to go on vacation rather than the man who will captain South Africa in an international match against India in just over 24 hours.

But then it’s difficult for anyone, including the players, to take a match such as Friday’s New Age Friendship Cup T20 encounter with India at the BidVest Wanderers Stadium too seriously.

The Indian players have flown all the way for three hours of cricket, but their focus will be firmly on their IPL preparations, while South Africa have had to leave out several first-choice players who only returned from New Zealand late on Wednesday afternoon.

Such has been the rushed nature of the match that the South African team won’t even have a net session before the game!

“If guys want to, there should be time for them to do some work on stuff tomorrow if they like,” Botha said with a nonchalant grin, before confirming that he had just arrived in Johannesburg himself and had yet to meet with coach Gary Kirsten to discuss either selection or strategy.

But Friday’s game at the Wanderers is important for one reason. For many of the players, it may be their only chance to impress and possibly earn a spot for the ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka in September.

“It’s definitely an important game for a lot of the players because there are just eight or nine matches to go before the World T20 and so there are limited opportunities. You don’t want to put extra pressure on any of the guys by saying it’s their only chance, but if one or two players really step up, it will go a long way towards putting their names forward for the final 15 for Sri Lanka,” Botha said.

For others, such as Botha himself, who are reasonably assured of making the trip to Sri Lanka, it is another chance to hone their T20 skills on the international stage.

“Every game is important, you learn from every game. It’s good to be captain again, I’m excited and I enjoy the job, it’s good for my game.

“As captain, you need to try and keep your head and stay one step ahead of the game. You have to trust your decisions,” Botha said.

The off-spinning all-rounder said the most important thing for players like Dane Vilas, Farhaan Behardien, Faf du Plessis, Richard Levi and Morne van Wyk was for them to enjoy the game.

“Hopefully I can put smiles on all the faces and the selectors have put in some young guys, which is exciting and not a bad thing because they’re all really keen. We’ll be going in fresh, although all the guys have been playing T20 so we’ll have clear minds. Often people tend to over-train and over-think the game.

“I hope the young guys can step up, that would be a massive highlight for me and the crowds like to see young, fresh guys playing. The important thing is not to stop the young guys from doing what they usually do, just keep it simple and do the same thing,” Botha said.

The exception to this rule, and to many others, is Jacques Kallis and Botha said it was important for the team to play well to honour their great all-rounder, who is being felicitated by the match.

“We want to play well for Jacques and to have a bit of experience will be good. The experienced guys can lend a helping hand and offer advice on the field,” Botha said.

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“Mission Accomplished” and “a pretty positive tour”. These were the words of coach Gary Kirsten and captain Graeme Smith as the South African team arrived back from New Zealand on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy with the whole tour, it was mission accomplished. We knew it would be a tough challenge, New Zealand’s not an easy place to tour and they were in-form. We made a slow start in the first T20 but then hit our straps and the quality of our cricket was of a high standard,” Kirsten said.

Having wrestled the Black Caps to the mat, Smith said his team were confident they could beat both England and Australia on their home turf later this year.

“It was a pretty positive tour for us, we played a lot of cricket on the front foot. The players were able to grow relationships and styles and how they fit into the environment and the work ethic. They were all able to find their place in the squad and Gary and his management team offered us everything possible for success.

“I definitely think we can beat both England and Australia away. We have a lot of the same players who did it in 2008/9, but we have an extra edge now in terms of the way we think about the way we play and train, plus there’s the addition of players like Vernon Philander, Marchant de Lange and Lopsy Tsotsobe.

“But we know those two teams play very well at home and you’ve got to handle the pressure of big crowds and the media being against you. England will have played a lot of competitive cricket by the time we get there and it’s a tough place to win. So it’s a very big tour for us, but we’ve crossed that hurdle before and we know we can do it,” Smith said.

South Africa were dominant in the test series but bad weather and a disputed TV referral of a catch restricted them to just a 1-0 series win. The turning down of Alviro Petersen’s effort early on in Kane Williamson’s match-saving century on the final day of the third test was the last in a series of debatable decisions based on technology, but Smith said the controversies have not sown seeds of doubt in the players’ minds over the use of the Decision Review System (DRS).

“I did read a report that there were issues with the set-up of the cameras, which obviously isn’t ideal, and there has been a lot of skepticism about the last bit of the ball-tracking. But DRS has become an integral part of the game, it’s great for the fans and I can’t imagine playing without it.

“It was designed to take away the shocking decision and it’s done that. I’d like to see it play a prominent part in international cricket,” Smith said.

Apart from captaining the team with aplomb, Smith also brought tremendous value as an opening batsman in tricky conditions, finishing as the leading run-scorer in the series with 282 runs in three tests.

“After the Kimberley ODI against Sri Lanka when I scored a seventy and then moving on to my century at the Wanderers, I worked hard on my game before the tour. Then Morne Morkel cleaned me up in the first practice, which set me back a bit. But it was great to carry that form through the tests.

“I’m starting to feel that my game is back to normal now, I’m feeling more in control of my game,” Smith said.

For Kirsten, it is now time to look forward to the England tour starting on July 9.

“I am looking forward to the tour to the United Kingdom, that’s our next big one. We have lofty standards as a team and we made great progress in New Zealand. The tour taught us about our strengths and capabilities.

“The bowling unit was outstanding, they bowled with real intensity and proved that we have a world-class attack. And the batting got better through the tour as well.

“We now have some time off, but we’ll need to spend a fair amount of time planning and strategising for England. Graeme and I live in the same city, so we’ll be doing a lot of that in the coming weeks,” Kirsten said.

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