Srinath takes 200th Test wicket

Javagal Srinath claimed his 200th Test wicket as India's bowlers fought back on the third day of the first Test against South Africa on Monday.

Resuming on 327 for three in their first innings, South Africa had reached 419 for six wickets at lunch, a lead of 40 runs. Lance Klusener was 29 not out and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher undefeated on 19.

Srinath, playing in his 54th Test, struck with two wickets in two balls in his first spell with the second new ball.

Boeta Dippenaar (20) was his 199th victim, clean bowled by a magnificent delivery which just straightened enough to beat the bat and remove his off stump.

South African captain Shaun Pollock followed immediately, Srinath forcing the batsman on to the back foot with a sharp delivery which took the inside edge before looping off Pollock's thigh to Shiv Sunder Das at short leg.

Srinath acknowledged the landmark with a wave to the Indian players' balcony as he was congratulated by his team mates.

The hat-trick delivery was comfortably dealt with by Boucher, who drove a half volley into the covers.

Jacques Kallis reached his 17th Test half-century in the third over of the morning, chopping Zaheer Khan to third man for three. He had progressed to 68 when he edged Ashish Nehra to VVS Laxman at second slip. His innings lasted three and half hours during which he faced 138 balls and struck ten fours.

Kallis also extended his world record for time between dismissals in tests to 1241 minutes - nearly 21 hours. The last time he was dismissed before Nehra's strike was in the second innings of the fifth Test against the West Indies in Jamaica in April this year.

Mail Cricket Editor