Steyn tears through India batting order

India were bowled out for 233 in their first innings in reply to South Africa's 558-6 on the third day of the test against India in Nagpur.

The Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn recorded his best-ever Test figures of 16.4-6-51-7. Proteas skipper Graeme Smith enforced the follow-on with India 325 runs adrift of South Africa's first innings of 558/6 declared.

Earlier, Virender Sehwag cracked a fine century under pressure before South Africa hit back to reduce India to 221/4 at tea.

The explosive opener hit 15 fours in his 109-run knock and shared 136 runs for the fourth wicket with debutant Subramaniam Badrinath after India were reeling at 56-3 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur.

Sehwag was dismissed shortly after reaching his 18th Test century when he sliced a wide delivery from paceman Wayne Parnell (1-31) to cover where Jean-Paul Duminy took a well-judged catch.

Badrinath (56 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (six) were the two not out batsmen at the break.

India faced an uphill task of saving the match as they trail South Africa by 337 runs with six wickets in hand, with another 138 runs needed to avoid the follow-on.

The second and final Test between the world's top two teams begins in Kolkata on February 14.

South Africa can snatch back the number one Test ranking from India if they win the series while the hosts need just a draw to remain on top.

Source: SAPA