VVS Laxman crafted the highest innings of the match as India extended their lead on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Tuesday.
VVS Laxman crafted the highest innings of the match as India extended their lead on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Tuesday.
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Laxman was unbeaten on 86 at lunch as India reached 218 for seven in their second innings, a lead of 292.
South African hopes of chasing a relatively small target rose when Morne Morkel bowled Cheteshwar Pujara with the sixth ball of the day, but Laxman remained unruffled and shared stands of 48 for the sixth wicket with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (21) and an unbeaten 70 for the eighth wicket with Zaheer Khan (27 not out).
In a low-scoring match, Laxman's score was more than double the previous highest - his own 38 in the first innings.
The stands with Dhoni and Khan were also the best of the match, with the pitch playing easier than on the first two days.
Only one run had been added to the overnight 92 for four when Pujara fended a sharply lifting delivery from Morkel into his stumps.
Dhoni batted aggressively before he was caught behind off Lonwabo Tsotsobe, while Harbhajan Singh made only four before he was caught at second slip off Morkel.
Khan, who was out for nought in the first innings, missed wild swings against both Tsotsobe and Morkel before settling down to provide valuable support to Laxman.
Khan was lucky to survive an lbw appeal by Dale Steyn when he had 10 and the total was on 181, with umpire Steve Davis ruling the ball had hit his bat, a decision which was contradicted by television replays.
No umpire review system is in place for the series, however, and South Africa could not challenge the decision.
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