A determined century from Michael Clarke powered Australia to 445, its best score of the series so far but South Africa in return started off on a calm note, managing 125-1 at stumps on day two of the final Test.Resuming the day at 267/6, Australia added 101 runs in the morning session as Clarke and Johnson kept South African attack at bay, stitching together a 142 run partnership.Clarke's 10th Test ton also propped up Australian tail, which added 208 runs for the last four wickets. Mitchell Johnson gave tremendous support with a polished 64 and Nathan Hauritz blazed a late 41.The local boy brought up his first Test century at his home ground with a quick single to mid-on, off 184 balls, enhancing his growing reputation as Australia’s batting mainstay in these troubled times. His 142-run partnership with Johnson swung the game Australia's way.Surprisingly, it was an innocuous delivery from a part-timer Duminy that brought Clarke’s downfall. The right-hander drove the full toss, straight back to the bowler, as Duminy picked up his maiden Test wicket from his first over.Paul Harris cleaned up the tail and ended with figures of 3/84, while Steyn had figures off 3/95. Ntini, Morkel, Duminy and Kallis picked a wicket each.According to Harris, his team had probably allowed the Australians to get a few more runs than they wanted following the 142 run partnership for the seventh wicket between Michael Clarke who made his 10th Test century (138 off 250 balls with 17 fours) and Johnson, who has grown in stature as an all-rounder in this series (a career best of 64 off 124 balls with 11 fours).
“We would have liked to keep them below 400 but that was not to be,” Harris commented. “Our first innings is going to be very important as batting looks as though it is going to get very difficult when it comes to the fourth innings.“We always play to win and we will just have to see where our first innings total ends up and take it from there.”Moreover, in reply to the hosts' challenging first-innings total of 445, the tourists put on 125 for one, still trailing by 320 runs.
Smith retired hurt on 30 after being struck on the left hand by a Mitchell Johnson delivery that reared nastily off a good length. The South African skipper, already nursing an elbow injury, headed to the hospital for an X-ray.Also, Dale Steyn is suffering from a severely bruised left foot which reduced his effectiveness and workload yesterday but the medical team is confident that he will be able to play a full role in the second innings.In-form Hashim Amla (30) and Jacques Kallis (36) will resume on a pitch showing signs of wear and tear on day three, having already put on a 49-run stand.
No comments:
Post a Comment