Saturday, 31 March 2012

Kallis Run Spoilt by Rain


Jacques Kallis shone on his big night at the Wanderers Stadium before an intriguing Twenty20 international between South Africa and India was spolit by rain.

The contest, which went the way of the hosts by 11 runs, was for the New Age Friendship Cup but was also serving as a tribute to Kallis, with profits going towards his foundation that provides scholarships for talented cricketers from under-privileged areas.

The all-rounder made sure he didn't miss out, hitting 61 at the top of the order as a much-changed Proteas XI smashed their way to 219-4.

However it was Colin Ingram who was the star of the show, the left-hander racing to 78 off 50 deliveries, his maiden Twenty20 international half-century.

Together with Kallis he put on a partnership of 119 for the second wicket following the early departure of opener Richard Levi for 19.
Piled on

Even when India did remove the well-set pair, the Proteas continued to pile on the runs to ease their total well beyond the 200-mark.

Debutant Farhaan Behardien made an unbeaten 20 from 11 balls while Justin Ontong hammered two huge sixes in a breezy cameo worth 22 that took him just seven deliveries to compile.

Albie Morkel came in for the final three balls of the innings when Ontong was bowled by Suresh Raina and proceeded to hit them for six, four and six, leaving the tourists with a huge target to chase down under the floodlights.

Yet they had given themselves a superb platform, reaching 71 without loss from just 7.5 overs, before a thunderstorm prevented a thrilling climax.

Gautam Gambhir was unbeaten on 49 from only 28 balls alongside opening partner Robin Uthappa (18 not out), though their efforts were still not enough to get India in front by the Duckworth-Lewis method.