Third Test, day 2, as it happened: Vijay, Rahul guide India to stumps, bowlers shine again

WRAP UP: So here we are, two days into the Test and the moving day might already be behind us. The Test moved plenty forward today, with 10 wickets falling on day two after the 11 on the opening day. India 42 runs ahead at stumps, with 9 wickets remaining on a pitch that still has plenty for the bowlers. The bowlers have delivered for Kohli again (with Bumrah getting a five-wicket haul to go with a great spell of bowling by Bhuvi early on) - now it’s time for the batsmen to live up to their pre-series reputation.

After 17 overs, India 49/1 - STUMPS on day two: India are ahead by 42 runs as the players walk back to the pavilion after another topsy-turvy day of Test cricket. An odd session for South Africa - not their best with the ball in the series, as Haysman points out to a lack of intensity. Vijay (13) and Rahul (16) in the middle – they have done very well in this short session, after a brief cameo by Parthiv Patel as the opener. After that frustrating first session, Kohli and Co have bounced back brilliantly, thanks once again to their bowlers.

IT’s now the batsmen’s turn to finally turn up as a collective unit in this series. Can they do that on day 3?

After 16 overs, India 45/1: Ngidi and Morkel bowling in tandem after a long first spell for Rabada. Vijay is now trying to play at a few more balls than he did early on and in the process getting beaten more often. But now it’s a question of just playing out for the end of play. Rahul is now looking more assured, as shown by a nice straight drive past short mid-off when Ngidi tries to tempt him with a half volley.

Last over of the day coming up...

After 13 overs, India 38/1 - lead by 31 runs: Vijay is looking settled now and like Pujara, Kohli, Amla showed, once you get your eye in, you can get runs on this wicket. But Morkel is still causing problems, the bounce from him more awkward than his fellow pacers. An edge off Vijay goes past gully for four, and off the last ball of the 13th over, Vijay once again leaves on length but it’s mighty close to the offstump.

After 10 overs, India 29/1: Whoa, that one took off from Rabada in the 10th over. Pitches fuller than good length, raises as high as Vijay’s shoulders, which are at the highest possible position, mind you. On that note, Vijay’s leaving has been a delight so far. He’s not bothered to play at anything that will bounce over the stumps. Rahul at the other end is trying to counter Philander’s movement by walking a few inches down.

Time for Morkel and perhaps Ngidi at the other end one thinks.

Stats: We have been harping on about Vijay leaving, here’s the statistical proof...

After 8 overs, India 28/1: So KL Rahul hasn’t been saved for the second new ball after all, with Parthiv falling early. He’s still shaky out in the middle - nervous running between the wickets, a few leading edges. Rabada to Vijay is quite the battle right now - with Vijay leaving the ball excellently, judging the length to perfection. And even then he gets a fast leg break that he has no clue about. KL Rahul finishes that over with a square drive (well, a slap more like it) for four.

After 5 overs, India 17/1 - Patel gone! It’s all happening at 2X speed in Jo’Burg. Delightful flick to square leg by Parthiv for a boundary is followed by one of the catches of the series and India’s experiment at the top doesn’t bear fruit. Parthiv gets an inside edge on to the pads off Philander, the ball loops up and is falling short of the slips - but Aiden Markram has other ideas - completes a stunning diving catch!

After 4 overs, India 9/0 - India take the lead: Second boundary for Parthiv, this one under his control, as he glances Rabada fine towards the fine leg boundary to put India ahead in the match once again. Vijay, meanwhile, is yet to put bat on ball, after 14 deliveries - leaving is an art and he is doing it well.

After 3 overs, India 4/0: Parthiv, who’s record as an opener is Tests is quite decent (and he has been thrown in the deep end before) gets India off the mark with a four over the slip cordon - didn’t have much control over it though. A brutal short ball by Rabada and he just gloves it over Amla at first slip. Philander to Vijay at the other end and there is yet to be any ball hitting the bat - six more leaves, six more dot balls.

After 1 over, India 0/0: Philander to Vijay and it’s a series of leaves. Maiden over to start.

Rabada to Parthiv at the other end...

07:45 pm: WOW. Parthiv Patel is opening the batting for India! Another surprise call by team India. Left-right combination? India behind by 7 runs, Vijay on strike.

Strap in folks, another fascinating hour and 15 minutes ahead.

07:40 pm: Plenty of praise for Bumrah.

Five-wicket haul for Jasprit Bumrah - After 65.5 overs, South Africa 194 all out: Bumrah gets two wickets in one over at the end and South Africa end with a lead of 7 runs. First, Phehlukwayo, who fails to pick a fast full toss and is trapped in front. Reviews for the heck of it but he was always a goner. Ngidi is the last wicket, tucking a short ball behind his pads, Parthiv takes a good tumbling catch to his left.

After 65 overs, SA 194/8: Wow, some of the best shots of this innings have been played by Rabada, Philander, Morkel and Phehlukwayo. Latest is a remarkable on-the-up off drive by Phehlukwayo off Shami, Kohli had no chance at mid-off. Shami ends the over with a vicious bouncer to Morkel.

South Africa are in the lead in Jo’burg: Morne Morkel, what a player. Never shies away from a challenge does he? With two boundaries off Bumrah, he takes the Proteas past India’s first innings total. The second shot brings a lot of cheer to the dressing room - a straight drive that would have made Elgar and Co proud. Bumrah, perhaps upset by all this, bowls a bouncer and hits Morkel on the gloves, resulting in a break.

Nine runs from the over, SA 189/8 after 64 overs.

South Africa 180/8 after 63 overs - Philander gone! The second fielder at the boundary line comes into play now. Philander goes for the hook with Shami going for the bouncers and is caught at long leg. Good bowling this but it was a very impressive catch by Bumrah, judging it well and taking a few inches away from the boundary line, moving well to his right. Vital innings by Philander though, for 35. Phehlukwayo, though, plays one of the shots of the day off the last ball of that over - a rasping cover drive for four. SA trail by just six runs now.

South Africa 175/7 after 62 overs: No third slip and Philander edges one right through that space. Kohli stuck between defending and attacking. A lead will hurt India. Along with exaggerated seam movement and good carry, this pitch has also showed low bounce on a couple of occasions. Many vagaries of the bull ring.

South Africa 169/7 after 60 overs - Hashim Amla gone: Where did that come from? Of all the ways to lose your wicket on this pitch! Amla will be kicking himself. Two men on the fence, Bumrah bowled at the stumps and the batsman couldn’t keep it down, flicks it in the air and Pandya takes a good catch. He was there just to save the boundary presumably. Big break for India this. Classy innings by Amla, though - a vital 61.

After 59 overs, South Africa 166/6: The lead is eroding quick and in South Africa’s point of view, with style too. Philander is playing some cracking shots - a cover drive off Shami, on the up with the high front elbow, made Kepler Wessels remember Kallis so much that the broadcasters showed it on a split screen! (Get a grip says co-commentator Mbangwa but the similarities are there to see, to be fair!)

After 57 overs, SA 159/6: The lead is below 30 for India now as Amla and Philander start the final session with boundaries. Amla plays a rasping square drive off Ishant while Philander plays a cover drive on the up that would have made any top order batsman proud.

A break in play here as Philander was hit on the glove by a lifting delivery by Bhuvi.

Bumrah into the attack now...

Back after tea, SA 145/6 after 55 overs: Of course, it’s Bhuvi with the ball in his hands again. India’s most potent attacking option is India’s workhorse as well. (Even with five bowlers in the side). Starts off with a steady over, 3 runs from it, including a wide for a wild bouncer to Amla.

Ishant from the other end...

Tea time discussion: Sooo... one over for Pandya before tea just as he bowled one over before lunch. He’s in the team for his batting then? Makes you wonder about that shot he played, all the more. (Rule of thumb, as far as I am concerned: Five bowlers on a bowler friendly pitch is one bowler too many)

TEA, South Africa 143-6 after 54 overs - trail by 44 runs: Pandya (one over again) and Ishant bowl the last two overs as the players head into the dressing room for a 20-minute tea break. Another gripping session of Test cricket and Amla stands between India and a position of strength at Wanderers.

After 52 overs, South Africa 139/6: This has not been Shami’s series except for a spell here and there and he continues to struggle with his lengths in Jo’Burg. Ishant, meanwhile, continues to live up to the unlucky tag - the last ball of the 52nd over misses Philander’s off stump by millimeters. Philander has come out and struck a couple of pull shots, trying to keep the scoreboard ticking.

After 49 overs, SA 130/6: Played, Hash! That’s a half century that is worth its weight in gold. This is a combination of the Kohli and Pujara fifties. Some of the boundaries have been as exquisite as Kohli’s were and his defending outside offstump as obdurate as Pujara’s. Has had multiple trysts with the DRS but has remained resolute throughout, despite losing partners.

After 48 overs, SA 125/6 - QdK GONE! What a session this is turning into for India. 4 wickets since the break and this is the out of form QdK who is dismissed by Bumrah. The ball is full, straightens after pitching (a tad) - QdK wants to drive on the up, the inside edge is gleefully accepted by Parthiv Patel.

Amla stands between India and a first innings lead...

After 47 overs, SA 125/5: Steady phase for South Africa, as Amla begins to make the most of him settling down on this pitch. Has played a couple of beautiful shots through the covers and has moved on to 48. QdK gets going with a four through the 3rd man region as well. India also lose a review in that phase when QdK flicked one to fine leg for four by moving across the stumps - given four off the bat by the umpire but India review. They were right about bat not being involved but that’s comfortably missing the stumps.

After 44 overs, SA 109/5: Amla heading towards his half century. Quinton de Kock, who has had a horror series so far, has survived 10 balls without too much drama. Bumrah asking plenty of questions.

SA 108/5 after 42 overs - FAF gone! More twists and turns at the Wanderers. What a session this has been so far. Phew. It’s Bumrah with a wicket to remember. That angle of his causes problems for Faf who decides to shoulder arms to ball that is moving back in and on the fuller side as well. And he’s bowled! (And Bumrah hasn’t overstepped - but just about)

SA 107/4 after 41 overs: HUGE appeal for an LBW against Amla by Bhuvi. Umpire raises his finger. Amla looks to defend the ball and it’s a very close call between bat first or pad first. There’s a contention that it is missing the stumps. Amla reviews and he’s right. That was comfortably missing the stumps and impact outside offstump. Umpire Ian Gould is having a bit of a shocker out in the middle. There was a fantastic on drive by Amla in that over as well.

All happening out there folks...

SA 101/4 after 40 overs - Amla 37*, Du Plessis 8*: There is a cloud cover over Wanderers now, could make things interesting. 100 up for SA. Led by Bhuvi, India’s bowling attack has kept SA batsmen on their toes. Amla, though, has settled down now. SA will have their hopes pinned on him.

Meanwhile, here’s Ashish Magotra, on a weird DRS tactic by India that could have proved so very costly.

The new playing conditions, approved by the ICC, took effect from September 28, 2017. It had among other things an important alteration to the Umpire’s Call element of the DRS.

A team will not lose a review if the review is struck down because of “umpire’s call.” Umpire’s call refers to a marginal or very close decision.
In the first innings, South Africa missed an opportunity when they did not review an appeal against Pujara, when he was on 0.
And now, in South Africa’s innings, India missed a similar opportunity by not reviewing an appeal against AB de Villiers, when he was on 0. Replays showed that he would been out – the ball was crashing into leg stump.
A little later, there was another big appeal against Amla. This time Bhuvi decided to go for the review straightaway. The umpire’s call saved the batsman but it was still totally worth going for. Ian Gould incidentally seemed to indicate to the square-leg umpire that he thought bat was involved.
Luckily, a beautiful inswinger from Bhuvi made sure AB didn’t add too much but teams have to start using the changed DRS better.
Surely, the players on the field know whether an appeal is close or not. When it comes to big players, it just might be worth going for a review knowing that an umpire’s call means you don’t lose the review. It calls for a change of tactics.

After 39 overs, SA 97/4: What a battle this is between Amla and Bhuvi. Amla, in addition to that exaggerated shuffle past the stumps, is also standing quite the ways down the crease. Bhuvi is bowling the occasional straight ball to try and catch Amla off guard, but Amla is alert to that ploy. Great to watch. Faf is getting tested with some inswingers too.

(Yes, I am still wondering how Bhuvi got dropped for the second Test)

After 37 overs, South Africa 93/4 - ABD GONE! That DRS gaffe won’t hurt India after all. Bhuvi, you beauty. This is a remarkable delivery - full, moving in the air, painting an arc, pitches full, moves back in a tad bit more and ABD is playing all over it. Bowled! This is a beautiful set-up. Bhuvi doing to ABD what Philander did to Kohli at Newlands. Move it away, move it away, bring one back in. Absolutely brilliant bowling.

After 35 overs, South Africa 89/3: Another big moment in the match. Amla pushed back in the crease by Bhuvi, who is targeting his stumps unlike Ishant. He’s struck on the pads. They appeal, but the umpire turns it down. Bhuvi is ultra-confident that this is out but umpire Gould says ‘bat’. There’s a review, no bat involved, but it hits the top of the stumps, and it’s umpire’s call. NOT OUT, then.

Now, here’s what’s wrong about that.

That is a bad application of UMPIRE’S CALL. Gould told the 3rd umpire there was bat! He gave it not out because he thought Amla hit it. How can that be not considered in the review? Ask the on-field umpire why he thought it was not out. *That* should be the basis of umpire’s call. Because, you know, the umpire called it. If he thought bat, check for edge. If the thought height, don’t count impact. ‘Isn’t this conversation possible’ asks Michael Holding. ‘He thought there was bat, there was no bat, so shouldn’t they talk about it?’ A similar incident happened earlier, against Amla, once again. Had the 3rd umpire asked Aleem Dar if he thought it was not out on impact or height, the decision could have been different. If it was impact (as Dar signalled, I think) then ‘umpire’s call’ on height should be ignored. 

Stop protecting the umpires. Start using DRS for getting decisions right. This is so frustrating, not just for India, just as a cricket fan. 

After 34 overs, South Africa 83/3: Amla continues with his exaggerated shuffle and Ishant goes well outside off stump to not give Amla a scoring opportunity. The tactic seems to be to induce a mistake from Amla more than anything.

But boy, how crucial is this moment going to be. ABD’s wicket for the taking. And India have let it go.

After 32 overs, South Africa 82/3 - ABD survives! WOW. What a moment in this game! India could have had ABD’s wicket in the very first over after lunch. Ishant gets the ball to move back in exaggeratedly and ABD misses it. Perhaps the extent of swing? Perhaps the bounce that Ishant gets? For whatever reason, Kohli and Co decide not to take the review but hawkeye says ABD was a goner! Ravi Shastri raises his finger from the dressing room and Kohli is left visibly disappointed. Goodness. ABD was on zero. Anything from here is a bonus for SA.

Time for the second session...

04:10 pm: South Africa’s most dangerous batsman is out in the middle with their most reliable batsman. That’s a combination that Virat Kohli will desperately want to break. The Indian team is in a huddle. And as they make their way back, it’s Ishant Sharma with the ball.

Crucial phase of the match coming up... can ABD take it away, like he has done a few times already this series.

Lunch-time reading: Away from the cricket for a bit, this Indian Super League season has seen quite a few managerial sackings. For a tournament that expanded with more teams and more matches, there has been plenty of short-termism ironically.

LUNCH - South Africa 81/3 after 31 overs: Just one over for Pandya as umpire Ian Gould calls for lunch. 25 overs in that session, 75 runs conceded and SA have scored at 3 RPO - mighty fine rate considering the slow start to the day and losing Elgar early. India will be disappointed heading into lunch but they at least have put an end to Rabada’s fighting innings.

ABD and Amla at the crease and SA are behind by 106 runs - if India don’t get early breakthroughs when they return for the second session, this match might slip away very quickly.

Join us soon.

After 30 overs, South Africa 80/3 - Rabada gone! The night watchman has done his job AND THEN SOME! A great effort to see off the most challenging phase of play, when Bhuvi was getting the ball to do some dirty things, and then he made the most of it by playing some fine strokes at the end. It’s Ishant who gets the wicket with the ball angling away and bouncing a bit extra. Rabada had been letting these go, but he plays at this one and Rahane takes a sharp catch at gully.

At the other end, Amla is well set and getting a move on. Two boundaries off that Ishant over. When the Indian bowlers have finally decided to bowl full, Amla is already in. Timing it all too well. Going to be a long day in the field for India, one thinks.

After 28 overs, SA 66/2 - (Rabada 26*, Amla 18*): Ishant back in the attack. There’s a loud appeal for a LBW against Amla. The umpire turns it down, but Kohli asks for a review. Hawkeye shows the ball would have just his the top of the bails, but its Umpire’s call.

As the frustration builds for Kohli and Co, Ashish Magotra is not too impressed with the lengths Indian bowlers have bowled today but also points out where the Indian batsmen missed a trick in the first innings...

It’s been an odd morning for India – the ball has moved around, there have been numerous plays and misses by the batsmen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was magnificent early on but still, they have managed to get just one wicket – that of Dean Elgar.

The Indians have tried to adopt the same approach as the South African bowlers. Kept it wide of the off-stump and been patient.

But there is one big difference – the SA batsmen are not as trigger happy as India’s. The other point to note is that SA knows how much they need to chase down.

Kagiso Rabada, sent in as night watchman, has been very impressive. He has left the ball outside the off-stump alone and forced the bowlers to change their line. When they have, he has scored runs. Rabada has already faced more deliveries in his innings than everyone in the Indian line-up save Kohli and Pujara. 

Part of India’s problem has been the line and length they have bowled – at one point in the morning, only 3 deliveries hitting the stumps, 102 missing.

To Rabada, at least, they needed to keep it up and try and hit the stump. They have allowed him to get in and he is showing that he can score runs too.

Hashim Amla has also made a huge adjustment to his technique. He is making a big initial movement which is putting his back foot right in line with the off-stump. This is clearly to try and counter the outswing and take the LBW out of the equation.

The one time when India did go for a review against Amla – the ball had a chance of hitting the stumps. Amla was saved by the umpire’s call. But that is the length India needs a lot more of.
After one good length ball by Bumrah to Rabada, Michael Holding said: ‘This length will make the batsmen uncomfortable, but it’s not going to get you wickets’ - and that is basically the story of the session.

India’s batsmen basically failed to adapt on day one. The SA batsmen are showing them how it’s done and they are also showing why Kohli should have chosen to bowl first on this wicket.

After 27 overs, SA 61/2: Wow. Rabada is having fun now. After getting hit in the abdominal region - ‘This length will make the batsmen uncomfortable, but it’s not going to get you wickets,’ says Holding - Rabada walks across the stumps and plays an outrageous flick past midwicket for four. And off the next over, with Kohli bringing back Bhuvi in desperation, Rabada steps down the track and lofts it over extra cover for four. What a shot! What an innings this is.

This is the most number of balls Rabada has faced in a Test match now.

After 23 overs, SA 45/2: The frustration continues for India. Rabada has stood like a rock, oblivious to getting beaten repeatedly outside the offstump, and rubs into India’s wounds by smashing a stand-and-deliver cover drive off Shami for four. Bumrah from the other end concedes two boundaries, both to Amla. The first, Amla had no clue has he was hurried into a pull shot that went over slips for four. And then, it’s classic Hash. On the back foot, punches with purpose through point.

Rabada is now on 15 off 61 balls!

DRINKS - After 20 overs, South Africa 29/2: This is frustrating for India now as Rabada has survived the first hour and at the stroke of 60 minutes, flicks Bumrah through midwicket for an elegant boundary. Quite a shot that. Bumrah’s first over today was a very good one to Amla, who was making exaggerated moves around the crease, shuffling across, well past his off stump - presumably to avoid LBW.

Shami, meanwhile, bowled an over that is best forgotten for his sake. As loose as it gets, including a wild ball down the legside for four.

After 18 overs, South Africa 19/2: Ishant and Bhuvi bowl their sixth overs of the day and through all this, Rabada has survived. Ishant continues to bowl good length and on this pitch the bounce is too much for the stumps to be disturbed - Rabada won’t mind getting beaten on the bounce all day. Once again, the only ball he actually edged was the one that was full. Ishant has failed to reproduce that. It’s all well beating the batsman, but this is a tactical folly by India.

Bhuvi bowls a good over to Amla at the other end and that will be the end of their spell.

Bumrah and Shami bowling in tandem now...

After 15 overs, South Africa 17/2: How has Rabada not managed to get an outside edge to the slips so far??! Bhuvi looks up at the heavens with his arms folded, almost pleading for one. Harsha Bhogle sums it up - Rabada’s outside edge is the north pole and the ball is the magnetic north and like poles repel. Beautiful over, keeps working the angle and brings one back at the end. To Rabada’s credit, he is hanging on. Ishant remains steady at the other end.

After 13 overs, South Africa 16/2 - BHUVI STRIKES! Bhuvi had made Elgar his puppet this morning, made him dance to his tunes. Beautiful new ball bowling this is. India will be delighted to get the opener before the night watchman Rabada. Bhuvi changes the angle by going over the wicket and this is just a ball that is too good - pitching on the stumps, deviating away, taking the outside edge almost as if Elgar did not have a say over this. Parthiv takes a good low catch to his left.

After 12 overs, South Africa 16/1: Rabada gets off the mark with a streaky boundary to third man, but that is off the fullest ball that Ishant has bowled this morning and it duly gets the outside edge. Hint, hint, Kohli and Co.

After 10 overs, South Africa 10/1: Bhuvi with another over at Elgar, another maiden. One more peach in that over that Elgar had no clue. Sticks to around the wicket throughout that over. Ishant continues from other end. Beats Rabada a few times, but that over is an example of why Ishant is a good option early on, when Kohli needs wickets. Here’s why:

Ishant is known for his bounce and in that over again, he got the ball to rise nicely from good length. But with him working the angle at good length from over the wicket, he has ruled out LBW and bowled - must hope the slip holds on if a chance does come their way. (Might prove us wrong shortly, but the argument remains)  

After 8 overs, South Africa 7/1: Surprisingly, it’s Ishant at the other end. (Maybe we should not be surprised by surprising captaincy decisions by Kohli anymore). It’s a good over, to be fair. Starts with a leg-stump line to Rabada who goes off strike but then he gets his radar right against Elgar. Loves bowling that angle to the lefthanders, and perhaps that’s why he is into the attack early today.

After 7 overs, South Africa 6/1: ‘What a beauty, what an absolute beauty. Kumar is bang on already, wow we have to package that over’ Mike Haysman is all praise on air for Bhuvi (as he has been most series) as the Indian seamer starts with a gem of an over to Elgar - starts from over the wicket to test him on the angle and then goes around the wicket to shape it away after angling it in. The latter tactic is too good for Elgar and he’s beaten multiple times.

01:30 pm: All set for play on day two! Bhuvi with the ball in his hand. Elgar takes strike...

Here’s a poll for you, meanwhile. What do you think?

01:20 pm: On a day when India struggle for partnerships again, Pujara stood tall and resisted (after a hard-fought fifty by his captain Kohli). Here’s Kushal Phatarpekar on why that innings was crucial.

Halep triumphs in epic!

01:10 pm: What a match. What an epic. What a display of nerves by the World No 1 Simona Halep! ‘I am shaking now,’ says Halep. One of the greatest Australian Open matches of all time.

Pitch report (and Australian Open update)

01:05 pm: How is the pitch looking today, Polly kaka asks Harsha Bhogle? ‘There is never going to be a phase in this match where it is going to be easy for the batsmen. The cracks have opened up more this morning,’ says Shaun Pollock. That must be music to the ears of Indian bowlers. Pollock thinks Shami, along with Bhuvi, holds the key (more than Ishant, Pandya and Bumrah).

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Kerber is serving to stay in the match at 15-30, 7-8 in the final set...

Marathon in Melbourne...

01:00 pm: It’s good that there is 30 minutes left for the first ball to be bowled at the Wanderers, because there is an absolute epic that is ongoing in Melbourne at the Australian Open. It’s a mind-blowing semi-final, with more twists than that earphone cable you take out of your pocket and can’t untangle if your life depended on it.

Kohli like Tendulkar, not just for the batting

12:50 pm: We all know now that Virat Kohli has more than proved that he is Sachin Tendulkar’s heir apparent to the throne of Indian batting. But over the course of this series he is showing signs that their captaincy stints might be similar too.

Read Ashish Magotra’s piece on why that is the case.

Sachin Tendulkar was a bit of a magician. He did it all. He could bat, he could bowl, he could do the sprints, he was an all-round fielder with a good arm and he expected the same from his team-mates. Kohli does much of the same... except the bowling bit, of course.

But to deal with this – day in and day out – is not easy for the team. In fact, it is anything but.

Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath had spoken, during the 2014 India Today conclave, on what it was like to play under Tendulkar.

“Some of us could not emulate what he wanted.”

Day two action at the Wanderers

12:45 pm: Hello all and welcome to The Field’s live blog of the second day’s action between India and South Africa. The Wanderers has produced a spicy wicket that had plenty of seam, and bounce and that made for some fascinating Test cricket. As it always is when the ball talks and the batsmen listen intently, trying to fight their way out. Day two promises more of the same with South Africa 181 runs behind, having lost one wicket.