SA vs IND: Confusion over new ball halts play for a few minutes, Indian players ask umpires to change the ball

There was some confusion on the field ahead of the start of the South African second innings in the 1st Test match at Centurion. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was having the new ball in his hand but did not seem to be all that happy.

The Indian cricketers also gathered around the umpires and were seen talking to them. Apparently, the ball was not the same one that the Indian players had picked at the start of the South African second innings.

What is happening? 😲 pic.twitter.com/CUst9Rz7Rj

— Sunaina Gosh (@Sunainagosh7) December 29, 2021

The 4th umpire then came out with a ball box and the Indian players then picked their new ball ahead of the South African innings. Play was halted for a few minutes due to this incident.

India gets a new ball finally 😅 pic.twitter.com/99z1mSFcgs

— Rohan Gulaty (@rohan_gulaty) December 29, 2021

South Africa end Day 4 with their scorecard reading 94/4

The South African side ended the 4th Day with their scorecard reading 94/4. The Proteas are still 211 runs away from victory. In the South African second innings, the Indian pacers troubled the Protean willow wielders.

Mohammed Shami disturbed Aiden Markram’s timber, while Keegan Petersen was removed by Mohammed Siraj. Bumrah then scalped the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen with an absolute jaffa. The ball pitched on off stump and came in sharply, and the right-hander shouldered arms to it.

The red cherry hit the top of off stump, and van der Dussen departed for 11. Keshav Maharaj then walked back after Bumrah scalped his wicket with a superb yorker that dislodged his stumps. However, Dean Elgar held fort with the willow for the hosts.

The South African skipper defiantly played out 122 deliveries and scored an unbeaten 52*. Elgar struck 7 fours in his stay out in the middle.