Kolkata, Feb 14 (Inditop.com) Debutant opener Alviro Petersen struck a fluent half-century as South Africa overcame the early loss of skipper Graeme Smith to build up a solid foundation at lunch on the opening day of the second cricket Test against India here Sunday.
The 29-year-old Petersen (57 batting) and Hashim Amla (49 batting) were in the middle with a 107-run stand, as the visitors made 116 for one after electing to bat on a wicket that had no demon in it despite the presence of a tinge of grass.
The big wicket of Smith (4) fell as early as the third over, as the South African captain tried to defend a Zaheer Khan delivery that came in sharply after pitching outside the off stump and knocked off his wicket through the gate.
Setting at rest all speculations, India made only one change – a predictable one – to their line up in Nagpur, bringing in seasoned campaigner V.V.S. Laxman instead of local boy Wriddhiman Saha.
The tourists were also forced to leave out Mark Boucher, who was down with back spasm, but Petersen proved himself to be a good replacement executing several spectacular shots which warmed the hearts of the around 20,000 spectators.
Amla, who scored an unconquered 253 in the only South African innings at Nagpur, seemed to carry on from there as he showcased some effortless strokes to close in on another Test 50.
None of the Indian bowlers made a mark on the track, despite the early moisture, about which a lot had been written over the last few days.
With South Africa leading 1-0 in the two Test series, India are fighting not only to save a rare home defeat but also their place at the top of the world Test rankings.
