Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi help South Africa draw level against India
Port Elizabeth, South Africa - South Africa levelled the ODI series by bowling India out for 211 in the surprisingly seam-friendly conditions of the usually slow and low St George's Park. It came as no surprise to South Africa, though, who added two frontline quicks to their XI and decided to bowl first on a fresh pitch with the bowling wind blowing.
Left-arm quick Nandre Burger, who seems to have it all in height, pace and movement, led the attack with three wickets either side of a nosebleed-forced absence from the field. The conditions didn't quite ease out, but South Africa had the advantage of knowing they didn't need to be urgent with their scoring and also enjoyed a significant amount of luck in the early goings, which might seem to be at odds with Tony de Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks putting on the biggest opening stand in Gqeberha to set up the comfortable win. De Zorzi went on to convert his maiden half-century into a century.
The win, though, was set up by the fast bowlers, two of whom didn't even play the last match. One of them - Beuran Hendricks - flew in from Cape Town earlier in the morning after Ottniel Baartman and Andile Phehlukwayo were ruled out with injury. Aiden Markram also left out Tabraiz Shami's left-arm spin for Lizaad Williams. The three specialist quicks bowled 28.2 overs between them for six wickets and 113 runs.
After half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan - his second in his first two ODIS - and captain KL Rahul, the lack of depth in India's batting was exposed when they looked to score quick runs and lost wickets to leave Axar Patel with four tailenders over the last 13.2 overs. The last four wickets could add only 42.
Burger and Williams made good use of the Easterly and the pitch with seam movement and also inconsistent bounce. In comparison with Johannesburg, the ball swung much less - 0.6 degrees on an average in the first 10 to 1.3 degrees at Wanderers - but there was appreciable seam movement available, which made batting difficult. If anything, the slightly older ball seemed to be moving more off the deck as it did in Beuran' spell as the first-change bowler.
Burger corrected his length beautifully after being driven for four first ball, trapping Ruturaj Gaikwad lbw immediately. Tilak Varma's stay at No. 3 was a troubled one, but was part of a 42run second-wicket stand. Burger had to go off the field because of a nosebleed after three overs, but Beuran and Williams remained just as challenging.
When Burger came back, his extra pace proved to be decisive as he got Varma on the hook for 10 off 30 balls.