Cricket: India 215 for 8 v South Africa: Donald puts India on back foot

Allan Donald cut through the Indian middle order to reduce the hosts to 215 for 8 at the close of the opening day of the first Test against South Africa in Ahmedabad yesterday.

Donald picked up 3 for 33 from 23 overs after India had elected to bat. Sachin Tendulkar looked in excellent form before Jonty Rhodes threw himself to his left at midwicket to catch the Indian captain for 42 off Pat Symcox. The former captain Mohammed Azharuddin steadied the innings with 35 but was run out by Rhodes immediately after tea.

First day; India won toss

INDIA - First Innings

S V Manjrekar b Adams 34

N R Mongia lbw De Villiers 9

R S Dravid lbw Symcox 24

*S R Tendulkar c Rhodes b Symcox 42

M Azharuddin run out 35

V V S Laxman lbw Donald 11

Sunil Joshi c Hudson b Donald 16

J Srinath c Cullinan b Donald 14

A Kumble not out 13

B K V Prasad not out 7

Extras (lb7 nb3) 10

Total (for 8) 215

Fall: 1-22 2-63 3-98 4-129 5-159 6-165 7-193 8-196

To bat: N D Hirwani

Bowling: Donald 23-11-33-3; De Villiers 15-3-53-1; McMillan 11-4-20-0; Cronje 12-3-8-0; Adams 17-2-46-1; Symcox 21-5-48-2 (3nb).

SOUTH AFRICA: *H J Cronje, A C Hudson, G Kirsten, D J Cullinan, J N Rhodes, B M McMillan, D J Richardson, P L Symcox, P S De Villiers, A A Donald, P R Adams.

Fast bowler Glenn McGrath has passed a fitness test on a blistered heel and plays for Australia in the first Test against West Indies in Brisbane tomorrow. Craig McDermott and Damien Fleming are already out injured.