South Africa bowls first in second Test

South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first in the second test against India on Sunday on a pitch expected to suit fast bowlers early on. Proteas captain Graeme Smith opted to give his pace attack first use of a green wicket at Kingsmead, which has lots of grass cover after rain during the week leading up to the match. The pitch is expected to be fast and bouncy in overcast conditions on the first day in Durban.

South Africa retained the same team that won the first match of the three—test series at Centurion by an innings and 25 runs. Batsman Hashim Amla will play his 50th test at his home ground.

India made three changes, with Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and fast bowler Zaheer Khan in for Gautam Gambhir, who is injured, and Suresh Raina and Jaidev Unadkat, who are both dropped.

Vijay was called in to replace Gambhir, as the opening batsman has a left hand injury, while Pujara has replaced the out—of form Raina in the middle order. The 22—year—old Pujara plays his second test after making his debut against Australia in October.

Zaheer has recovered from the hamstring injury that kept the experienced fast bowler out of the opening test, and he will return to lead India’s bowling attack. The 19—year—old Unadkat went wicketless on debut at Centurion.

The start at Kingsmead was delayed for an hour after early morning rain in the east coast city.

Teams-

South Africa- Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

India- Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Murali Vijay, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

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