Ganguly avoids test ignominy as India build lead

CAPE TOWN, Jan 5 (Reuters) Saurav Ganguly avoided the ignominy of becoming the first player to be timed out in test cricket as India built a lead of 114 against South Africa today.

India were 73 for two in their second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the third test in Cape Town.

Eight minutes passed between the fall of the second wicket and Ganguly's arrival at the crease, which is five minutes longer than he is allowed to avoid being timed out on appeal by the fielding side.

During the delay umpire Darryl Harper could be heard on the stump microphones asking South African captain Graeme Smith not to appeal ''in the spirit of cricket''.

The South Africans did not appeal for Ganguly's wicket.

The visitors began their second innings at the start of today's play, and slipped to six for two in the third over after strikes by fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini.

Steyn had a driving Virender Sehwag caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for four before Wasim Jaffer (two) gloved a short delivery from Ntini to AB de Villiers at second slip.

Sachin Tendulkar was due to bat next, but was told by the fourth umpire, Murray Brown, that he could not do so at that stage.

Tendulkar spent 18 minutes off the field yesterday, which meant he was not allowed to bat until 18 minutes of today's play had elapsed. Jaffer was dismissed in the 13th minute.

Rahul Dravid and Ganguly then stabilised the innings with a stand of 67 for the unbroken third wicket.

Dravid was 30 not out at lunch with Ganguly on 35.

South Africa made 373 in their first innings.

Reuters AY VV1742