South Africa strike back with late wickets
South Africa hit back with two wickets after Australia's
second-string pace attack dismissed the Proteas on a dramatic opening
day of the third and final Test at the WACA Ground on Friday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Proteas were bundled
out for 225 despite more heroics from Adelaide Test hero Faf du Plessis
in a match that will decide the top-ranked nation in Test cricket.
However, the Proteas quickly struck back with a vengeance, claiming
two Australian wickets in the hour before stumps.
Opener Ed Cowan was caught in slips by Jacques Kallis off pace
spearheadDale Steyn for a first-ball duck, before Shane Watson (10) was
given out lbw to Vernon Philander on a decision review, after umpire
Asad Rauf had turned down the initial appeal.
At the close, the home team was 33 for two, with David Warner on 12
and night watchman Nathan Lyon surviving a torrid examination from Steyn
in the final over of the day to be seven not out.
Batting at number seven, second Test hero du Plessis again played a
lone hand in the South African first innings with an unbeaten 78 off 142
balls that helped add vital late runs after they had slumped to 75 for
six when they lost five wickets for 14 runs either side of lunch.
Australia were forced to completely revamp their fast bowling line-up
for the match, with their three pacemen from the drawn Adelaide Test --
Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson -- all ruled out. Left-armer
Mitchell Johnson was recalled for his first Test in 12 months, Mitchell
Starc was promoted after being 12th man for the first two matches in the
series, and John Hastings was handed his Test debut.
All were in the wickets as they decimated the South African top
order.
It was the returning Watson (1-22) who claimed the initial
breakthrough, having Graeme Smith caught at first slip by rival skipper
Michael Clarke for 16.
Watson made a welcome return from a calf problem, having missed
Australia's last eight home Tests with various injuries, by finding a
thick outside edge from Smith to remove the Proteas skipper.
AFP |
