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Not one of my better match previews so far. I was right about this pitch being livelier and offering the South African seamers more assistance and also right about the draw price drifting out once play started.

The rest though appears to have been as woeful as India 's batting this morning!

South Africa in a seemingly dominant position, India facing a massive deficit on first innings and still 4 days to go.

They obviously deserve to be short price favourites at this stage, HOWEVER, test cricket is not a sprint, it's a marathon.

Lets look at some occasions in the past when India have trailed in that marathon after the first few miles, only to finish strong and save , and even win some games from seemingly impossible position.

Mohali 1999 - Against New Zealand , India all out for 83 in first innings, 2nd innings they score 505-3 Declared and it was the kiwis that hung on desperately for the draw.

Kolkata 2001 - Against Australia , India all out for 171 in first innings, 2nd innings they score 657-7 Declared and win the game.

Antigua 2006 - Against Windies, India all out 241 first innings, 130 in deficit, but score 521-6 Declared to save the game.

To save this game, India will once again have to score massive in the 2nd innings. Can they do it?

Big ask judging by their effort this morning, BUT, when they bat in their 2nd innings, there will not be any moisture in the track that there was this morning. The ball will not deviate as it did this morning, and this Indian batting line-up simply cannot bat as woefully as they did this morning.

The new ball will again be key for South Africa . If India can see off that new ball for only 1 or 2 wickets down, then that massive score will be possible.

India are the kings of the 600+ score having scored it more times then any other team in the last 10 years. They will need to post 500+ this time to pull things around and I think it would be a mistake to write them off.

As I said , South Africa are rightly favourites now, but considering the recent history of India turning seemingly lost causes around, I feel the 1.22 on South Africa at this stage is too short.

Laying at this price represents a very small downside, but definitely a big upside if this match  proves that test cricket is indeed a marathon and not a sprint.

My suggestion is LAY South Africa at 1.23 on Betfair for 1 Point liability.

Bigjoe