South Africa's Graeme Smith blames mistakes for India defeat

By N.Ananthanarayanan

KANPUR, India (Reuters) - Mistakes in a tight game led to South Africa's eight-wicket defeat against India in the third and final test, skipper Graeme Smith said on Sunday.

South African hopes for an Asian treble were dashed after they were routed for 121 in the second innings on a crumbling pitch after conceding a vital 60-run first innings lead.

India eased to 64 for two in the fourth innings to claim the match with two days left and square the series.

South Africa crushed India by an innings and 90 runs on a green pitch in the second test, raising hopes they would add to their series wins in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

"When you are playing on a wicket like this, the margins are very small," Smith told reporters. "We let ourselves down slightly."

India dismissed South Africa for 265 on day one after the tourists had won a crucial toss but collapsed from 152 for one. India made 325 in reply following a 46-run last wicket stand.

"We were 30 runs short in the first innings, we lost our way with our batting," he said. "And also India getting a lead like that, those were the two big swinging points in the test match.

"We were also not as good with the ball as we had been in the series. We were a little bit too anxious to bowl India out."