JOHANNESBURG: Indian batsmen, often dismissed as ‘flattrack bullies’, showed their class and courage on an action-packed third day of the third Test against South
Africa
, braving repeated blows to the body to set a challenging target of 241. In response, the South African batsmen had struggled to 17/1 when Dean Elgar was hit on the helmet by a short delivery from pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
ALSO READ: India had upper hand from Day 1, says Ottis Gibson The umpires went into a huddle and were joined by the match referee. The officials directed the players to leave the field, to the displeasure of Indian skipper
Virat Kohli, who made no bones about wanting to play on.
ALSO READ: Experts criticise Wanderers pitch, term it "dangerous"The ICC and match officials later confirmed that the third Sunfoil Test match against India at the Bidvest Wanderers stadium will start as scheduled at 10am on Saturday. Play was suspended shortly before stumps on Friday.
The ICC issued the following statement: “The on-field umpires (
Aleem Dar and
Ian Gould) in consultation with the match referee, and after speaking with both captains and groundsmen, have decided that the Johannesburg Test will resume on time on Saturday. The on-field umpires will continue to monitor the pitch and consult with the match referee should the pitch deteriorate further. The welfare of the players is paramount and two of the most experienced match officials are in charge of the game and will take appropriate decisions. Play on Friday was suspended shortly before the scheduled close because the on-field umpires wanted to consult the match referee regarding the condition of the pitch.”