South Africa v India, 3rd Test, Johannesburg, 24-28 January, 2018

Sky pretty grey over Wanderers as I drove in this morning.

So the pitch will have a good cover of grass. Could be another good match.

taipan wrote:Sky pretty grey over Wanderers as I drove in this morning.

Doesn't it start tomorrow?

Meanwhile Ravi Shastri still believes that India has performed like the top ranked team during this series.

Despite his team losing the first two Tests against South Africa, India coach Ravi Shastri insists they looked like the No 1 team in the world. He pointed out for instance that they bowled SA out for 130 in CT. What he didn't note though was that India was bowled out basically for the same figure in much more batting-friendly conditions.

Ravi shastri (I refuse to capitalize his Name) is truly the bnlg of Bannie cricket

Shastri has always been an arrogant toss-pot.

Rained overnight. Clouds slowly lifting over Wanderers. Probably a bowling wicket.

So the Yarps will bat first, irrespective of which skipper wins the toss?

horace wrote:So the Yarps will bat first, irrespective of which skipper wins the toss?

Wrong again

horace wrote:So the Yarps will bat first, irrespective of which skipper wins the toss?

Actually, India has won the toss and will bat first. They want to put runs on the board. Rahane comes in for Nohit. SA has opted for a five-pronged pace attack and left out Maharaj.

There is a good grass covering, but the sun is peeking through. Faf does not expect any spin at this venue.

taipan wrote:

horace wrote:So the Yarps will bat first, irrespective of which skipper wins the toss?

Wrong again

I think Faf was always amenable to bowling first here and it was what he intended to do. In any case if you play five quicker bowlers, it would be a bit strange not to.

I have spoken to my roving correspondent and he says the weather is okay

E-Coli really putting it on his batsmen to make a go of it.

One gone.

Ooooof, this looks difficult for the batsmen. Interesting decision to bat first.

Remember that time England lost their first four wickets for two runs at the wanderers?

Two gone.

Puttanesca struggling

Ball could be doing too much

Dropping catches doesn't help.  Pujara has been aggressive.

Philander - eight overs, one for nothing.

Can't see the point of playing Phek over the spinner. His pace is pedestrian. Not sure what he adds.

Bannies 2/97. Good knock from E-Coli and Pujara is hanging in. These two will need to bat a long time to set a competitive total as there is little to follow in what is a very long tail.

Rahane gone. India have been a bit edgy.

Pujara has been aggressive.

So Lambo got Kohli again

taipan wrote:So Lambo got Kohli again

Bit of a pattern emerging.

Half ton to Pujara. India looking reasonably solid here.

Well they were. Pujara gone to Phek. They all have a wicket now.

Red wrote:Half ton to Pujara. India looking reasonably solid here.

In her quiet understated way, Red is a bigger killer then JGK