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India Are One Up Before the Port Elizabeth Clash

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India held their mettle in a nail-biting contest at Sahara Park Newlands to beat South Africa by two wickets in the third one-day international.

India took the lead with their second win in the five-match series by reaching 223 with ten balls to spare.

Yusuf Pathan (59 off 50 balls) came to India’s rescue after their top order collapsed for less than 100 runs.

Pathan showed JP Duminy and Johan Botha no mercy when he went on a 59 runs off 50 balls rampage.

The Indian batsmen had luck on his side after Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel both misjudged the ball on two occasions, extending the batsmen’s stay at the crease.

The 30th over was devastating for the South Africans when Pathan hit three sixes off Botha.

Pathan, who eventually lost his wicket when he was caught by Morkel courtesy of a Dale Steyn ball, was rewarded with the Man of the Match award.

Harbhajan Singh, who was equally convincing with the ball (2 for 23), kept the Indians grounded until the deal was sealed with his 23 not out.

It’s the first game that South African skipper Graeme Smith lost on the Newlands ground.

Earlier on, India put on an excellent performance to restrict South Africa to 220.

Smith survived a hostile bid from Zaheer Khan for his wicket. He was eventually caught by Virat Kohli for 43 off 79 balls.

Hashim Alma’s stay at the crease was short lived, with just 13 runs on the scorecard. Kohil took an excellent slip catch to dismiss Colin Ingram for just 10 runs.

AB de Villiers, after 16 runs, returned to the changing room after being caught by Zaheer Khan.

Faf du Plessis was in top form, scoring 60 from 94 balls and Duminy survived a run out scare to go onto make 52 runs. Their 110-run solid partnership was key to South Africa posting a defensible score.

The Proteas tail-enders lost the plot with their meagre contribution to the scorecard.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.