South Africa take series with 10-wicket win

Top-ranked Proteas beat India to win the second and final Test of the series which was also Jacques Kallis’ last.

It was a perfect send-off for Kallis who hit a century in his last Test and help his side to a series-win [AFP]

Captain Graeme Smith scored the winning runs as South Africa knocked off a modest 58-run target to beat India by 10 wickets in the second Test at Kingsmead and win the two-match series 1-0.

The top-ranked nation achieved victory soon after tea on the last day to complete a highly satisfying result against their closest challengers in the world test rankings.

“India are always a big challenge and it was always going to be important for us to do well against them,” Smith said at the post match presentation

Ffith day scorecard

India first innings 334 
South Africa first innings 500
  
India second innings 223
South Africa second innings

G Smith not out 27 
A Petersen not out 31

Extras: 1
Total: (0 wickets; 11.4 overs) 59

It was also fitting farewell for South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis who made a century in his final Test.

India had been bowled out for 223 earlier in the day, failing to offer much resistance after being precariously placed at 68 for two overnight.

Only Ajinkya Rahane offered a bright spot for the Indians, coming within four runs of his maiden Test century.

He was the last Indian wicket to fall, just after lunch on Monday, swinging wildly on 96 with only the last tail-ender Mohammed Shami left in support.

South Africa took just 11.4 overs to knock off the required runs with Alviro Petersen 31 not out and Smith unbeaten on 27 after a six and a four from the last two balls of the game.

Spinner Robin Peterson emerged as the unlikely match hero, overshadowing his fast bowling colleagues with a four-wicket haul in India’s second innings to add to brisk the 61 runs he scored on Sunday, batting at number nine in South Africa’s first innings.

But nine wickets in the match for fast-bowler Dale Steyn earned him the man-of-the-match award and he became the second fastest player to reach 350 Ttest wickets.

On his last day of Test cricket, Kallis, regarded as South Africa’s finest cricketer, was not troubled in the slips and did not bat in the second-innings.

“Last day of Test cricket for me,” he tweeted before play. “I have so many wonderful memories and stories, thanks to my family, friends, team mates and fans. Tough day.”

But there was more of a clinical edge than heavy emotion on Monday as South Africa went about their task with business-like efficiency to emphasis their status as the top-ranked test team.

Kallis was taken by team mates on a lap of honour, waving to the crowds and being forced at one stage to down a can of beer.

The win ended a run of four successive Test defeats in Durban for the hosts, who last weekend came desperately close to a world record fourth-innings chase before settling for a draw in the first Test in Johannesburg.

Source: Reuters