Marco Jansen Issues Warning to Indian Batters, ‘Ball Is Starting to Turn Now’

Marco Jansen Issues Warning to Indian Batters, ‘Ball Is Starting to Turn Now’

South Africa have capitalised well in the best batting conditions, taking a 314-run lead in the Guwahati Test

Unlike the first Test in Kolkata, South Africa have taken quite an advantage heading into day four of the second Test in Guwahati, with a 314-run lead, on November 24 (Monday). The visitors won the toss and put India under immediate pressure, smashing 489 runs in the first innings, courtesy of a sizzling Senuran Muthusamy century. 

But when it was India’s turn to apply pressure back at the Proteas, Rishabh Pant’s men failed spectacularly, as the Indian middle order crumbled under no pressure to 119/6, which later turned into 201 all out, their third consecutive failure on the tour. 

However, despite South Africa getting the hosts bowled out cheaply, all-rounder Marco Jansen reckoned that the surface was still good enough for batters, and they had to dig deep to find breakthroughs. 

“There’s obviously nice pace and bounce in the wicket. Not a lot of nip or swing, a little bit here at the end. Once we saw there was a bit of bounce and better pace in the wicket, we tried to utilize that,” Jansen told broadcasters at the end of day’s play. 

“Obviously a good day for the chaps and for myself in particular. But yeah, I feel the spinners did a really good job when the ball wasn’t moving as much and there was a dead period at some stage. I really feel the spinners did a brilliant job and I’m just lucky to be the one who cashed in. Who said we didn’t fight hard? Like I said, there was a bit of pace and bounce in the wicket, which was nice. We did think we were probably going to field, or we were preparing to field, for at least two days,” he further added.

Jansen, though, issued a big warning to the Indian batters ahead of the last two days of play, with the all-rounder stating that the ball is turning and holding up a little bit now. 

“I still think it’s a good wicket. The ball is starting to turn now, and then the ball is holding up a little bit. So I think the spinners are definitely going to come into play more in the second innings, probably tomorrow and the day after.”

South Africa already have a 1-0 lead in the series, and if they do win here in Guwahati, they will break a 25-year drought, as their last series win in India came back in 2000.