Cape Town: In a significant moment of day one, debutant left-arm spinner Paul Harris pitched around the leg-stump and there was a puff of dust as the ball spun into Wasim Jaffer.

Anil Kumble must have watched the delivery with particular interest.

India, propelled by a well-constructed hundred from opener Wasim Jaffer, has a gilt-edged opportunity to push for a historic Test series triumph at Newlands.

After the top-order disasters in the first two Tests, the opening pair of Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik added 153 in 56.1 overs, were un-separated (the score was 61 at lunch and 153 at tea) for two full sessions. India, finally, had a platform.

At the conclusion of play on Tuesday in the decider of the Castle series, the visitor was 254 for three.

Jaffer (116, 244b, 15x4), who went past 1,000 runs during the course of his knock, fell at the fag end of a long day, edging a delivery leaving him from paceman Dale Steyn to the cordon. Sachin Tendulkar, who struck a few fluent strokes, survived a confident leg-before shout from Ntini. He was joined by V.V.S. Laxman after Jaffer walked back.

Flat pitch

The pitch here is different from the ones at the Wanderers and Kingsmead — the spell of rain in these parts ahead of the Test affected its preparation — offering little to the pace bowlers in terms of bounce or movement.

The surface is dry and if the weather continues to be sunny, India could apply considerable pressure in a match where the South Africans would bat last.

Under the conditions, Shaun Pollock bowled superbly, operating stump to stump, and securing Rahul Dravid's wicket with a perfect leg-cutter. The skipper batted positively for his 29.

Makhaya Ntini and Steyn largely struggled while Jacques Kallis used his strong shoulders to extract some lift from the surface. Predictably, debutant Harris sent down a long spell, often releasing the ball from wide of the crease; for a left-arm spinner, he has to deliver from closer to the stumps.

Jaffer deserved his third Test hundred. He had played confidently at Kingsmead, only to fritter away starts. The subsequent criticism must have stung him; he was a determined man here.

At ease

There is an ease about the right-hander's ways at the crease. He dismantled the South African attack clinically, pierced the off-side field time and again, with lovely cover and square drives.

When Ntini pitched short he responded with a pull. When the bowlers erred in line, he flicked them effortlessly. His was a calm, elegant presence at the crease.

Jaffer lifted his arms in joy, after working Harris to the on-side for his century. Dravid applauded at the non-striker's end. The opener had displayed commitment.

His opening partner was not far behind in application. There is a lot that says Karthik may have a future at the top of the order — he has a secure full-face-off-the-bat defence off either foot, shows sound judgment in the corridor, and handles the short-pitched stuff well, often swaying away from the line with his eyes on the ball.

Good temperament

He, actually, is not an opener of the makeshift kind. Karthik opened with success for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy this season and possesses the temperament for the role.

Some of his driving in the `V', with a high left elbow and a still head, was of a high quality.

He was unruffled by the speed of Ntini and Steyn, got his body firmly behind the line. His cover-drive off Ntini, and the square-cut off Harris showed how quickly he got into the right positions. Karthik is a quick-footed, quick-thinking batsman with the right body balance.

Karthik (63, 170b, 7x4) had the rub of the green on 32, when Smith put him down in the slips off Shaun Pollock. He had no luck though when he was ruled out, caught bat pad, off Harris by umpire Asad Rauf. The ball did not appear to hit the bat.

Crucial toss

Dravid won a critical toss. The Indians, under bright sunshine, had the opportunity to bat big in the first innings and then subject the host to pressure on a wearing pitch.

The Indians made an intelligent switch to the batting line-up. Karthik, who replaced an injured M.S. Dhoni, partnered Jaffer. Virender Sehwag clung on to his place, but was pushed down the order. He would also be expected to chip in with his off-spin as this game progresses.

Munaf Patel, expectedly, came in for V.R.V. Singh.

The South Africans brought in Kallis, Steyn and Harris for Andrew Hall, Morne Morkel and Andre Nel, who suffered a heel injury.

SCOREBOARD

India _ 1st innings: W. Jaffer c Kallis b Steyn 116, D. Karthik c Amla b Harris 63, R. Dravid c Boucher b Pollock 29, S. Tendulkar (batting) 28, V.V.S Laxman (batting) 4; Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-5, w-2) 14. Total (for three wkts., in 90 overs) 254.

Fall of wickets: 1-153 (Karthik), 2-202 (Dravid), 3-240 (Jaffer).

South Africa bowling: Steyn 20-10-41-1, Ntini 18-3-64-0, Pollock 16-6-32-1, Kallis 12-4-36-0, Harris 24-2-74-1.

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