India made to suffer for bad catching

India were made to pay for missed chances as South Africa built up a commanding position on the first day of the second Test in Cape Town yesterday.

Gary Kirsten and Daryll Cullinan both survived chances and made their opponents pay with a third-wicket partnership of 114, a record against India. Their stand eclipsed the 60 runs Kepler Wessels and Peter Kirsten put on at Durban four years ago, and helped South Africa close on 280 for 4.

South Africa won the toss in good batting conditions to heap more pressure on India, who were trounced in the first Test. The tourists were soon on the back foot again as Kirsten, who was dropped twice before he had scored double figures, hit 103 and Cullinan, who was dropped once, made 77.

India gave a debut to the Karnataka medium pacer, Doddanarasiah Ganesh.

Scoreboard, Digest, page 27