December 28, 2006 - Replying to South Africa’s first innings total of 328, India were bowled out for 240 on day three of the second Test at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday, giving the hosts a 88-run lead.

VVS Laxman was left stranded on 50 as he ran out of partners at the other end.

Resuming on the overnight score of 103 for three India lost five wickets for just 80 runs in the morning session.

Sachin Tendulkar, who brought up his first fifty in 2006, fell after a 64-run partnership with Laxman. He was caught behind by Mark Boucher off Ntini for 63. His knock included 11 hits to the fence.

Two balls later, Ntini had Sourav Ganguly caught at backward point by Herschelle Gibbs. The southpaw fell to a short delivery.

M S Dhoni joined Laxman and the two put on 54 crucial runs. Dhoni, who struck seven fours en route to his 34, became Morne Morkel’s first Test victim, caught by De Villiers at second slip.

The bowler picked up his second Test wicket an over later. He had Anil Kumble caught by Boucher for naught. Morkel added a third against his name, Zaheer Khan caught by Hashim Amla for two.

In the post-lunch session, S Sreesanth and VVS Laxman put on an invaluable 52 runs for the ninth wicket to take India past the 200-run mark. Sreesanth made 28 before he was dismissed by Andrew Hall, caught behind by Boucher.

VRV Singh was the last man to go, caught behind by Boucher off Shaun Pollock for four.

Meanwhile, umpire Mark Benson had to be taken to hospital for tests after suffering heart palpitations on the ground. Benson, 48, left the field one ball into the fourth over of the third day and was replaced by Ian Howell of South Africa.