A broom holds up play
Plays of the Day from the second day of the third Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Centurion
Firdose Moonda in Centurion
23-Feb-2013
Kyle Abbott had a memorable day, picking up 7 for 29 to record the second-best bowling figures for a South African on debut • Getty Images
Drop of the day
Pakistan fluffed one chance to claim an early wicket when Vernon Philander's outside edge went between the wicketkeeper and first slip off Rahat Ali. The same bowler, however, was to be blamed for the loss of a second opportunity to make an early breakthrough. AB de Villiers pulled Mohammed Irfan straight to Rahat at fine leg, where all he had to do was collect. Instead, he found himself off balance, because he had gone down on his haunches to take the catch low, and the ball ended up popping out of his hands. De Villiers was on 107 at the time, and would eventually finish with 121.
Pakistan fluffed one chance to claim an early wicket when Vernon Philander's outside edge went between the wicketkeeper and first slip off Rahat Ali. The same bowler, however, was to be blamed for the loss of a second opportunity to make an early breakthrough. AB de Villiers pulled Mohammed Irfan straight to Rahat at fine leg, where all he had to do was collect. Instead, he found himself off balance, because he had gone down on his haunches to take the catch low, and the ball ended up popping out of his hands. De Villiers was on 107 at the time, and would eventually finish with 121.
Quick delivery of the day
As the burliest member of the South African squad, Rory Kleinveldt is often thought to be the slowest, but he proved that perception wrong today. After being helped over the slips for four by Imran Farhat, who had slashed at a no-ball, Kleinveldt must have been as angry with himself as he was with the batsman. He steamed in to bowl his next ball at 143.7kph, a short one aimed at Farhat's head. The opener ducked calmly, but his heart may have started beating faster knowing Kleinveldt could crank it up.
As the burliest member of the South African squad, Rory Kleinveldt is often thought to be the slowest, but he proved that perception wrong today. After being helped over the slips for four by Imran Farhat, who had slashed at a no-ball, Kleinveldt must have been as angry with himself as he was with the batsman. He steamed in to bowl his next ball at 143.7kph, a short one aimed at Farhat's head. The opener ducked calmly, but his heart may have started beating faster knowing Kleinveldt could crank it up.
Interruption of the day
One of the more unusual objects guilty of causing a break in play made an appearance at SuperSport Park. A broom was left on the sightscreen at the West Lane End and the batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, perhaps thinking it was an omen for a clean sweep, wanted it removed. With none of the security officials responding, Vernon Philander was forced to mock sweep the grass until a helpful fan removed the cleaning equipment to the mild applause of the crowd.
One of the more unusual objects guilty of causing a break in play made an appearance at SuperSport Park. A broom was left on the sightscreen at the West Lane End and the batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, perhaps thinking it was an omen for a clean sweep, wanted it removed. With none of the security officials responding, Vernon Philander was forced to mock sweep the grass until a helpful fan removed the cleaning equipment to the mild applause of the crowd.
Near-collision of the day
Spectacular catches have been one of the standout features of the series, and Dean Elgar could have taken another. Sarfraz Ahmed pushed at a Philander delivery and got a thick edge that flew to the left of Elgar at gully. He flung himself in the right direction, one-handed, while Faf du Plessis at third slip also went for the catch, diving to his right. The ball hit Elgar's hand and then fell between the two of them, and they nearly bumped heads, but in the end everything was missed.
Spectacular catches have been one of the standout features of the series, and Dean Elgar could have taken another. Sarfraz Ahmed pushed at a Philander delivery and got a thick edge that flew to the left of Elgar at gully. He flung himself in the right direction, one-handed, while Faf du Plessis at third slip also went for the catch, diving to his right. The ball hit Elgar's hand and then fell between the two of them, and they nearly bumped heads, but in the end everything was missed.
Wicket of the day
Which one? Each of Kyle Abbott's seven deserve a mention but his last one is probably most deserving. After getting the ball to kick up off a length, exposing the opposition's uncertainty, he got his final wicket with a full ball that swung back into Younis Khan, striking him on his pads. Younis was trying to whip it away and missed, giving Abbott the second-best figures by a South African on debut.
Which one? Each of Kyle Abbott's seven deserve a mention but his last one is probably most deserving. After getting the ball to kick up off a length, exposing the opposition's uncertainty, he got his final wicket with a full ball that swung back into Younis Khan, striking him on his pads. Younis was trying to whip it away and missed, giving Abbott the second-best figures by a South African on debut.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent