Australia in control but S. Africa refuse to fold
Australia sat in the preferred position with a lead of 322 after the
third day, but South Africa monitored every movement as they managed not
to lose touch with the world champions.
The tourists tailed their opponents at various distances and held
them to 7 for 228 at stumps on a pitch that is not stirring nightmares.
Despite such a healthy buffer, Australia were unable to streak away
in the manner they had hoped after taking an advantage of 94 on first
innings in the opening session, when Mitchell Johnson collected his
eighth wicket. Rather than batting South Africa out of the contest by
setting a victory target of more than 400, a series of poorly timed
dismissals left the result of the game open.
Needing a strong response after being dismissed for 281, South Africa
gained regular ground against an outfit that was struggling with a
variety of ailments. Ricky Ponting was in pain from a stomach problem on
his 34th birthday while Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey battled
unsuccessfully during unconvincing displays.
With the focus intensifying, Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds fell
to shots that even they would admit to being irresponsible. Brett Lee
was just unlucky to edge the ball anywhere near AB de Villiers, who flew
in the cordon for another magnificent dismissal.
Brad Haddin masked the mistakes with 39, which included two straight
sixes in an over from Paul Harris, in an unbeaten partnership of 66 in
15.1 overs with Jason Krezja, who eased to 28 and ensured Australia
finished on a high. However, it will be up to South Africa’s batsmen
over the next two days to determine the cost of the home side’s errors.
(c) Cricinfo
AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS 375
SOUTH AFRICA 1ST INNINGS
(overnight 243-8)
PL Harris c Krejza b Johnson 0
DW Steyn c Haddin b Johnson 8
M Ntini not out 5
Extras (lb 5, w 5, nb 7) 17
Total (all out) 281
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-106, 3-110, 4-234, 5-237, 6-238, 7-241, 8-241, 9-256, 10-281.
Bowling: Lee 21 3 59 0, Johnson 24 4 61 8, Krejza 25 2 102 1, Siddle 16.5 5 44 1, Symonds 3 1 10 0.
AUSTRALIA 2ND INNINGS
ML Hayden c & b Steyn 4
SM Katich c Boucher b Kallis 37
RT Ponting c Boucher b Harris 32
MEK Hussey b Ntini 8
MJ Clarke c Kallis b Steyn 25
A Symonds c Smith b Harris 37
BJ Haddin not out 39
B Lee c de Villiers b Kallis 5
JJ Krejza not out 28
Extras (lb 6, w 2, nb 5) 13
Total (7 wickets) 228
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-59, 3-88, 4-88, 5-148, 6-157, 7-162.
Bowling: Steyn 16 3 57 2, M Ntini 13 2 55 1, Harris 23 3 64 2, Kallis 11 4 19 2, Morkel 12 3 27 0. |
