Steyn rips apart India with spell of 5 for 3

South Africa 558-6d India 233 & 66-2

Dale Steyn confirmed his status as the world's premier quick bowler with a career-best 7 for 51 for South Africa on the third day of the first Test against India in Nagpur yesterday.

Steyn took five wickets for just three runs in a post-tea display of top-class reverse swing after dismissing Murali Vijay for four and Sachin Tendulkar for seven with conventional swing bowling early in the first innings. He then took his eighth wicket of the match when he dismissed Virender Sehwag for 16 after India had followed on to leave the hosts at 66 for 2 at the close with Vijay (27) and Tendulkar (15) at the crease.

India, the world's No 1 side, were left struggling to save the match, still 259 runs behind the Proteas' imposing first-innings total, in the two-Test series between the world's two top sides.

South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher sustained a back injury which kept him off the field during the final session. The team management said it was not serious and that he would be available for the second Test starting in Kolkata at the weekend. AB de Villiers kept wicket in his absence.

*Indian Premier League chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed plans to stage tournaments outside India, with the league taking a particular interest in the US.

The 2009 IPL was forced to move from India to South Africa because of security concerns surrounding the country's elections taking place at the time, but the success of the tournament has persuaded league chiefs to further explore global opportunities.

"There are plans in the works to hold IPL matches overseas and we hope to be able to provide fans all around the world with the live IPL cricketing carnival experience," Modi said.