adminbackbone in the batting by blunting South Africa’s attack for an entire session on the first day in Cape Town.
In the morning, South Africa’s ruthless pack of quick bowlers ran through the opposition top order yet again.
It has become such a familiar theme that when Vernon Philander took his first wicket of the day, he barely bothered to celebrate, merely completing his follow-through as though the batsman had left the ball alone.
Even wicketkeeper AB de Villiers didn’t belt out an appeal or jump for joy after taking a regulation catch, merely tossing the ball aside and jogging up to Philander to congratulate him.
It was another reminder of how confident South Africa are, a confidence that derives from their No. 1 Test ranking, five successive series victories and a stunning 17-3 Test record in Cape Town since their return from isolation.
Once again, the fast bowlers had the ball hooping around, the purists ooh-ing and aah-ing over the late movement and the batsmen flailing cluelessly outside off.
Midway through the session, Pakistan were down to 33 for 4, and any attempts to forget their record low of 49 all out in Johannesburg were pointless.
For the second Test in a row, South Africa captain Graeme Smith took the unconventional decision at the toss. — Cricinfo.com
Online Reporter