Sreesanth spearheads India fightback

DURBAN, Dec 29 (Reuters) Fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth took three for 53 to lead India's fightback on the fourth day of the second test here today.

South Africa reached lunch on 192 for six in their second innings, a lead of 280 runs. India were dismissed for 240 in reply to South Africa's first innings of 328.

AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith took their opening stand to 99 before medium pacer Vikram Singh had De Villiers caught by VVS Laxman at second slip for 47.

Seven balls later Sreesanth trapped Hashim Amla in front without score, and in his next over uprooted Smith's off-stump. Smith hit 11 fours in his 58.

South Africa slumped to 121 for four in the same over when Prince edged the third ball he faced to Sourav Ganguly at first slip to be dismissed for nought.

Herschelle Gibbs scored nine before spooning a delivery from leg-spinner Anil Kumble to substitute fielder Dinesh Karthik at short cover.

Left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan then reduced South Africa to 143 for six by dismissing Mark Boucher leg-before for eight.

Shaun Pollock and Andrew Hall halted the slide with a stand of 49 for the unbroken seventh wicket.

Pollock was 18 not out at lunch with Hall on 20.

Cricket South Africa media liaison officer Gordon Templeton told Reuters that doctors had recommended another day of rest in hospital for umpire Mark Benson, who was admitted to an intensive care unit on Thursday after suffering from heart palpitations.

Benson was replaced on the field by Ian Howell, who was originally named as the third umpire.

REUTERS PDS VV1624