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Day 4: Indians' stunning Test win over S.Africa

Ahmedabad (India), Nov. 23: A fiery spell by Indian seamer Javagal Srinath sent South Africa crashing to a sensational 64-run defeat in the first cricket test here Saturday.

Srinath picked up a career-best six for 21 as the South Africans, chasing a modest 170 for victory, crumbled for 105 in their second innings an hour after lunch on the fourth day.

The last six wickets fell for nine runs in 22 balls, leaving disappointed South African skipper Hansie Cronje stranded at the other end on 48 not out.

It was India's 13th victory in their last 17 home tests since 1989 and Sachin Tendulkar's second in as many matches as captain. India, who won the one-off test against Australia last month in under four days, start as favourites when the second of the three tests against the South Africans begins in Calcutta next Wednesday. Srinath, whose previous best in 21 tests was four for 33 against the South Africans at Cape Town in 1992, wrecked the tourists' bid for victory with inspired bowling. He took two successive wickets in his first over before a run had been scored, two more off consecutive balls in the middle of the innings and another two in a row to finish the match.

``It was one of the greatest exhibitions of fast bowling I have seen from an Indian for a long time,'' a visibly elated Tendulkar said. ``Srinath was absolutely superb, just out of this world. I don't think a captain can ask for more.''

Vice-captain Anil Kumble chipped in with three for 34 to restrict the South African second innings to just 38.5 overs on a wearing track at the Gujarat stadium.

Srinath's fifth delivery cut in sharply and trapped Hudson on the back foot. Umpire S.K. Bansal had no hesitation in declaring the batsman leg-before. The next ball was an away swinger which took the edge of Cullinan's bat and was easily caught by Mongia.

Then left arm spinner Sunil Joshi claimed Gary Kirsten leg before for 20 to make the South Africans 48 for three at lunch. The tourists added 17 to their lunch score when Brian McMillan fell into Kumble's trap, sweeping the leg-spinner down Sunil Joshi's throat at deep square leg. Dave Richardson helped Cronje take the score to 96 for four before edging Srinath to wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia after making seven. Jonty Rhodes, who came in with Gary Kirsten as runner after pulling a hamstring in the field on Friday, failed to bring his bat down to the first ball he received and was declared leg before. Pat Symcox denied Srinath a hat-trick but could not open his account, beaten by a Kumble flipper to be bowled.

Two balls later, Kumble had first innings hero Fanie De Villiers snapped up at silly point by Mohammad Azharuddin to make South Africa 100 for eight.

A fired-up Srinath clean-bowled Allan Donald and Paul Adams to seal the emphatic win in an engrossing test match where fortunes fluctuated with each passing moment.

Earlier, India added 18 runs to their overnight score of 172 for seven before being all out for 190 within 20 minutes of the start. The home side's hopes of setting a target of more than 200 were dashed by unorthodox left-arm spinner Adams, who picked up all three wickets. Adams, given a bowl because fast bowler Donald did not take the field due to a toe injury, began the slide by trapping debutante Venkat Laxman leg-before for 51.

Two balls later, Adams had Venkatesh Prasad caught at silly point and terminated the innings in his next over when last man Narendra Hirwani holed out to mid-on. Hirwani scored nine in a valuable 10-run stand for the last wicket with Kumble, who remained unbeaten on 30.