India Left Struggling After Being Skittled By Steyn

South Africa 558-6 dec. (Amla 253no, Kallis 173) v
India 233 (Sehwag 109, Steyn 7-51) & 66-2
First Test, Nagpur, day three

A stunning spell of bowling from Dale Steyn negated an equally brilliant Virender Sehwag century and left South Africa in the clear after day three of the first Test in Nagpur.

After Sehwag scored 109 in 139 balls, Steyn returned a career-best seven for 51 to rout India for 233 and South Africa, who amassed 558 for six before declaring late on day two, enforced the follow on and had India reeling at 66 for two when stumps were drawn, still 259 runs behind.

Sehwag was in blistering form, hitting 16 fours as he motored to an 18th Test century in 134 deliveries but he had little support, only debutant Subramaniam Badrinath (59) and Gautam Gambhir (12) reaching double-figures, as South Africa, spearheaded by Steyn, showed their ruthless streak.

Four batsmen were bowled, two without offering a stroke to the fast bowler while there was a wicket apiece for Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell and Paul Harris as India lost their last six wickets for just 12 runs; shortly before Mahendra Singh Dhoni was caught by Jacques Kallis off a Harris delivery that spat at him, India were 221 for four and looking reasonably well set, but that all changed in the space of just seven overs.

When India batted again, Gambhir was bowled by Morkel and Sehwag was caught by Graeme Smith off Steyn which left Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 15 and Murali Vijay on 27.

Hashim Amla's unbeaten 253 enabled South Africa to declare while Jacques Kallis also stroked 173.