Jansen breaks open Guwahati Test as Proteas edge closer to historic India series win

“I just want to be like you!”

These were the humble words of Marco Jansen in response to legendary Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock on Monday. 

Jansen may hold Pollock, who claimed 421 Test wickets and struck 3 781 runs in an illustrious Test career, in high esteem, but the lanky all-rounder has already outdone his hero in this on-going second Test against India in Guwahati. The Proteas are in a commanding position, leading by 314 runs, with two days remaining.

The 25-year-old may have been disgusted with himself in getting out seven runs shy of his maiden Test century in the Proteas’ first innings, but his 93 was more than double Pollock’s best off 44 on Indian soil. 

But it is with the ball more than anything else that Jansen wants to make an impact. He certainly did so on Monday with a sparkling performance that rocked India to their core. The left-arm seamer bristled into the crease to unleash a barrage of short balls that caught India's batters by surprise. 

The home team were certainly not expecting the ball to rise up to their throats on their home surfaces, but the Barsapara Cricket Stadium pitch aided Jansen. He attacked the Indian batters, who struggled to fend off the rising deliveries as they were repeatedly struck on the gloves and shoulder of their bats. 

This offered up plenty of chances for the Proteas slip cordon as Jansen claimed match-turning figures of 6/48 as India were rolled for 201 – a deficit of 288 runs – although captain Temba Bavuma did not enforce the follow-on and opted to extend the lead. 

It was Jansen’s fourth five-wicket haul and first ‘Michelle’ on the subcontinent, and only the fourth by Proteas seamer in India.

Pollock is not among this elite list, with his best being 4/24 in Mumbai in 2000. But his performance played a major role in the Proteas’ winning their first-ever Test series in India – like Jansen’s heroics now proving pivotal to visitors’ chances 25 years later.

It would be a remarkable achievement for the Class of 2025, especially having to do so without the services of talismanic fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for the entire Test series.

“Obviously, not having KG is a big loss. For me, when KG plays or doesn't play, I always try and think of me as someone who can break the game open for the team,” Jansen said, at stumps with the Proteas leading by 314 runs with all 10 wickets still remaining. 

“I just try and give my best every time I get the opportunity to try and play my biggest for the team and try and put the team in a winning position,” Jansen said.

“KG (absence) definitely adds a bit of responsibility and pressure on myself and Wessie (Wiaan Mullder) in particular. Nonetheless, we know we have the bowlers, we know we have the players in the squad to help the team.”

But where did the short-ball strategy arise from? 

“We had to figure out a plan and I think when I got my first wicket with the bouncer, we said, okay cool, let's see how long this is going to work for,” Jansen explained.

“For me, I've always struggled bowling in India. Whether it was white ball or red ball, I've always ... I'm still jealous of people that get the ball to squat and nip back. Ball goes over off stump because I'm so tall.

"Like a different bowler, like KG that's hitting top of off, for example. So I've always been jealous of those people where they're a bit shorter than me.

“So, I just think, especially here, I've tried to learn what's going to work for me, what's going to help me to perform to the best of my ability and help the team win. And (Monday) was just one of those days it came off. I got the pace and the balance out the wicket.”

Jansen’s inspired performance with the ball was also partially due to him missing out on his century the previous day. It’s a facet of the game Pollock still holds sway with two tons, and unlike most fast bowlers who perform well when they have fire in their belly, Jansen actually needed some calm advice before taking the ball on Monday morning.

“(Sunday), when we went to the hotel, I just tried to switch off and blow some steam off. I called the family, I called my brother, sister, mum, dad, you name it. Just to get all those feelings and everything out,” he said.

“But, yeah. I think, in retrospect, next time, I'd rather get caught on the boundary than defending or trying to push it for long. But that's a learning that I take out of it.”

SCOREBOARD

INDIA v SOUTH AFRICA | Second Test | Day 3 | Stumps

South Africa

489 all out & 26/0 (Rickelton 13*, Markram 12*)

India: 201 all out

Jaiswal 58, Sundar 48, Jansen 6/48, Harmer 3/64

South Africa leads by 314 runs