03 January, 2009

South Africa has taken the opening honours in the third Test, leaving Australia 6-267 following an absorbing first day's play at the SCG.

The hosts will start day two with Michael Clarke (73) and the clean-hitting Mitchell Johnson (17) to take up the challenge of pushing their side past 300.

Only Clarke, who made his first SCG Test half-century, offered any real resistance as four batsmen perished after reaching 30 on a pitch containing no obvious venom.

The Australian vice-captain, who was dropped on 12 and 69, has been at the crease for 235 minutes, stroking nine fours in a patient knock.

Clarke and Brad Haddin (38) put on 75 for the sixth wicket and looked to have done enough to ensure Australia would end the opening day in reasonable shape.

But the introduction of the second new ball brought about the downfall of Haddin, who played around a Dale Steyn delivery to be bowled in the shadows of stumps.

Steyn was the pick of the Proteas' bowlers, finishing with 2-71 from 21 overs.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first under overcast skies before a healthy first-day crowd of 37,901.

The home side lost Simon Katich (47) and Ricky Ponting (0) during a tense first session.

Katich looked in good touch in racing to 47 from 52 balls before sparring at a Jacques Kallis (1-43) delivery and edging a catch to AB de Villiers at second slip.

One run later the in-form Ponting was on his way for a first-ball duck.

Morne Morkel (1-49) got a ball to seam back, catching the inside edge of the Australian skipper's bat and presenting wicket-keeper Mark Boucher with a catch to the delight of the South Africans.

Matthew Hayden, fighting to save his career, cautiously made his way to 31 before chasing a wide delivery from Steyn and dragging the ball onto his stumps.

The big Queenslander cut a dejected figure as his made his way off the ground, the big first-day crowd giving him a rousing send off in the knowledge he may have batted at international level for the last time.

Hayden's dismissal left Australia shaky at 3-109.

With the score on 130 Michael Hussey, who had fought hard to get to 30, edged Paul Harris (1-44) to Kallis at slip and was on his way back to the pavilion.

Harris wildly celebrated the wicket but appeared to twist a knee after leaping through the air in delight.

While he was off the field receiving attention, Andrew McDonald arrived at the crease for his debut innings and was immediately struck on the body by a 142km/h thunderbolt from Morkel.

He was lucky to survive beyond five after his helmet was dislodged and almost crashed back on his stumps while attempting to dodge a Morkel bouncer.


McDonald moved to 15 before he was caught behind off Makhaya Ntini (1-48), with Haddin the last man out for the day.

Australia handed debuts to McDonald and Doug Bollinger, while the buoyant Proteas went in with an unchanged line-up.

The home side, 2-0 down after defeats in Perth and Melbourne, is looking to avoid its first home series clean sweep loss in 122 years.