Plays of the day from the game between India and South Africa in Melbourne
Firdose Moonda in Melbourne22-Feb-2015 The wake-up call
If the chants of 86,876 people and the sense of expectation in the humid Melbourne air were not enough to have Shikhar Dhawan wide-eyed, Morne Morkel’s chin music would have done it. After three overs of trying to pitch it up, the bowler decided to go for the short ball. It rose sharply to meet Dhawan while he was deciding whether to duck, dive or pull and had to settle for being wrapped on the knuckles. When Morkel presented the same delivery with his next ball, Dhawan pulled with power to deep square leg to prove the he could handle the pressure and the bouncer.The missed chance
Unlike some of his team-mates, Hashim Amla is not known for superhuman efforts in the field but he had the chance to change that when Dhawan, on 53, cut one his way at backward point. The ball was at catchable height but needed Amla to fling himself forward and to his right in a coordinated effort. Though he got there and grabbed the ball, it bobbed out as he fell to the ground. Not quite AB de Villiers yet.The other missed chance
South Africa had an uncharacteristically lazy day in the field but when they had the opportunity to hit the stumps, they did. Twice. India did not. When Amla drove to Ajinkya Rahane at cover, he was quick to swoop in, pick up and release with Amla still a long way out. But the throw missed its mark. Suresh Raina was backing up and close enough to underarm the ball onto the stumps, which would have still seen Amla dismissed, but he missed as well.Beating him at his own game
If there is a batsman that is considered un-run-out-able, it would be AB de Villiers. In fact, he is more likely to be the one effecting run-outs, like he did, but then also found himself caught short of his own ground. De Villiers was pushing for a second run after driving the ball to the sweeper. Mohit Sharma’s throw came in low and accurate so all MS Dhoni had to do was break the stumps. The Indian fielders were convinced they had beaten de Villiers at his own game and replays confirmed they had.
