KOLKATA: South Africa aim to carry their good form into the final Test against top-ranked India starting on Sunday after taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

South Africa won the first Test by an innings and six runs, firing India out in less than four days in Nagpur for a winning start to the high-profile series between the world’s top ranked teams.

“This is the one thing that we really want to tick off as a team you know, to win here in India,” South Africa captain Graeme Smith said after handing India their first Test defeat at home in almost two years.

Left-handed opener Smith sustained a knock on his little finger at training on Friday and scans have revealed ligament damage.

“The medical team is confident that the swelling will subside in the next 24 hours and Smith will put his finger to the Test at Saturday’s practice... after which a decision will be taken on his fitness to play in the second Test,” a team statement said.

South Africa almost achieved a rare series victory in India on their previous visit two years ago when they won the second Test before India squared the series in Kanpur.

South Africa will take back the No. 1 ranking if they win the series. Their only Test series victory in India came in 2000.

Dale Steyn took a match haul of 10-108 to rout India in Nagpur after Hashim Alma made 253 not out and Jacques Kallis hit 173 to guide the tourists to an imposing first innings total of 558-6 declared.

India’s batting suffered in the absence of the experienced Rahul Dravid, Vangipurappu Laxman and Yuvraj Singh due to injuries, despite Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar scoring centuries.

No. 3 batsman Dravid (jaw) and Yuvraj (wrist) were ruled out of the entire series. Laxman (finger) was declared fit on Thursday and his return is expected to bolster the middle-order as India hope to square the series to hold on to the No.1 ranking.

India included one-day specialist Suresh Raina and made two other changes to the squad for the second Test in a move to strengthen their batting.

The tourists expect the pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to assist spin, India’s traditional strength.

South Africa was beaten in three days in Kanpur in the deciding Test in 2008 on a pitch that subsequently came up for an official inquiry by the International Cricket Council.

Olympic sport

Meanwhile, cricket has taken a major stride toward potential inclusion in the Olympics after Games chiefs Thursday voted to recognize the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), meeting in Vancouver, also said it would recognize the federations of sport climbing and power boating.

“They are recognized federations by us, which now means that they can take part in IOC events,” said IOC director of communications Mark Adams, adding it could be seen as a first step toward becoming Olympic sports.