India fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj ran through South Africa’s bowling order by claiming his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket. With this spell, he also became just the 10th Indian bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in Test matches in South Africa.
He joined Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Mohammed Shami, Venkatesh Prasad, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah in this elite list.
Siraj bowled an extended spell of nine overs and produced the goods for skipper Rohit Sharma by finishing his opening spell with six wickets, while giving away 15 runs, at an economy of 1.66.
Siraj got India off to a flying start, dismissing Aiden Markram in the fourth over after the opener edged a delivery in the hands of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the slips, departing after scoring 2 runs off 10 balls. He then cleaned up South Africa captain Dean Elgar, who is playing his farewell match. Elgar played on to his stumps trying to punch one on the offside.
Tony de Zorzi became Siraj’s third scalp, as the batter nicked a leg-side delivery in th safe grasp of wicket-keeper KL Rahul to leave South Africa reeling at 15 for 4. Having already bowled seven overs, Siraj bowled his eigth and repaid his captain by claiming two wickets. Siraj sent David Bedingham packing as the right-handed batter gloved a delivery straight to Jaiswal in the slips, who held on to an easy catch.
In the last ball of the 16th over, Siraj bowled a leg-cutter which dumbfounded all-rounder Marco Jansen as he edged the ball in the gloves of Rahul. Siraj then came back to bowl his ninth over and this time, sent wicket-keeping batter Kyle Verreynne back to the pavilion, having scored 15 runs off 30 deliveries.
