South Africa v Australia, 1st Test, Johannesburg

February 25, 2009


Match facts

February 26-March 2, 2009
Start time 10.30am (08.30GMT)


Big Picture

South Africa's tour of Australia was such a short while ago that it feels like this is the fourth Test in a six-match series. Following their 2-1 win, South Africa headed home and their players had a break of sorts, although there was some domestic cricket on the calendar. Australia faced New Zealand in a one-day contest before rushing to the airport to set off for Johannesburg. Australia enter the series hanging on by a fingernail to their No. 1 Test ranking. They avoided handing it over at the SCG last month but a South African series win this time will mean the end of the long reign of Ricky Ponting's men.

It's only three years since Australia's last Test tour of South Africa but a lot has changed in that time. Only three members of the current squad - Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey - made that trip. Where once there was Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee, there are now names like Bryce McGain, Phillip Hughes and Ben Hilfenhaus. How Australia's newer faces handle the pressure of a Test tour will be a key factor in the final results. There are no such squad issues for South Africa, who have retained the core group that won in Australia and have such a strong line-up that Ashwell Prince couldn't find a spot.

The other fascinating part of the series will be how the two teams use the umpire referrals. Neither side has played under the trial system, which will be overseen in all three Tests by Billy Bowden, Asad Rauf and the retiring Steve Bucknor.


Form guide (last five Tests, most recent first)

South Africa LWWWW
Australia WLLWW



Watch out for

Dale Steyn lived up to the hype in Australia and finished as the leading wicket taker and was a major reason why South Africa won the series. On his home pitches he will again prove a handful, particularly if the prodigious swing that is expected does happen. As if he wasn't threatening enough, he has spent his time off toughening up by wrestling crocodiles.

Phillip Hughes will become Australia's youngest Test debutant since Craig McDermott in 1984 when he walks out on Thursday at the age of 20 years and 88 days. A supremely talented left-hand opening batsman, Hughes has piled up runs for New South Wales over the past 18 months but his most striking characteristic is his ability to perform on big occasions. They don't come much bigger than a tour of South Africa where the No. 1 ranking is on the line and the ability of Hughes and Simon Katich to provide strong starts will be critical to Australia's chances.


Team news

South Africa have named a 12-man squad for the first Test and there isn't much doubt about who will play. The left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been included but will almost certainly be the man to miss out as the settled group that beat Australia at home continues its push for the No. 1 spot. The spinner Paul Harris is likely to play in a team that was so good in Australia that Prince could not break back into the side having fully recovered from his broken thumb.

South Africa (likely) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Neil McKenzie, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Morne Morkel, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.

The rain and pitch conditions at the Wanderers have encouraged Australia to name a 12-man squad with both the specialist spinners Bryce McGain and Nathan Hauritz left out. It means an all-pace attack and the main decision now is whether to include the medium-pace allrounder Andrew McDonald or go for four out-and-out fast men in Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus. The batsman and handy offspinner Marcus North should have confirmed his Test debut thanks to his strong performance in the tour match in Potchefstroom. However, the only one of the three uncapped men in Australia's 12 who is certain of making his debut is the opener Phillip Hughes.

Australia (likely) 1 Phillip Hughes, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Doug Bollinger, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus, 12 Andrew McDonald.


Pitch and conditions

There was some rain in the lead-up to the match, which meant that until a couple of days ago the players had not seen the pitch, which was covered by a tent-like structure that allowed the groundsmen to continue working on it. However, both teams are expecting plenty of swing, particularly on the first day, while it could be hard going for batsmen and spinners. There are further storms forecast for the first few days of the Test.


Stats and Trivia

Jacques Kallis needs 12 runs to become the first South African to reach 10,000
AB de Villiers will become the fourth South African to play 50 consecutive Tests
Australia have won the last three Tests between the two sides at the Wanderers and two of the successes were innings victories
Click here for more stats.


Quotes

"We've spoken about the moments of the last series where we were a bit deficient. The guys have learnt a lot from those moments and what we have to do better next time. We can't forget that some of these guys are playing their fourth, fifth, some of them are playing their first Test out here."
Ricky Ponting on the eve of the Test.

"I definitely won't mind seeing Australia bat and having Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel running in on the first morning."
AB de Villiers wants to bat first but thinks there would be benefits in sending Australia in.

February 27, 2009

Australia fought back from 3-38 to reach 5-254 at stumps on day one of the first Test against South Africa, with Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke making half-centuries.

Debutant Marcus North was 47 not out and shared a 72-run partnership with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, unbeaten on 37.

Australia have all-rounder Andrew McDonald to come in at No.8 after leaving out New South Wales pace bowler Doug Bollinger. Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus are yet to bat.

North, 29, is one of three debutants in the side, with Hilfenhaus and 20-year-old opener Phil Hughes, who made a fourth-ball duck.

Western Australia captain North hit six fours in a composed two-hour knock, helping Australia reach a respectable position at stumps.

Bad light stopped play at 4.45pm local time in Johannesburg after 68 overs, with 22 overs remaining to be bowled in the day's play. Ground staff immediately placed covers over the centre-wicket area as rain started to fall.

Dropped at first slip on 40, skipper Ponting scored a stylish 83 including 11 fours and one six, adding 113 for the fourth wicket with Clarke, who made 68.

Ponting was bowled by a classic inswinger from Makhaya Ntini at 4-151, and Clarke fell to an extravagant off-drive 31 runs later, caught behind as Dale Steyn (3-82) claimed his third victim of the innings.

Clarke lost his wicket in the penultimate over before tea.

Ponting had won the toss with conditions at the Wanderers stadium expected to favour swing bowlers.

Australia were 3-78 at lunch after Steyn dismissed Hughes (0) and fellow NSW opener Simon Katich (3). Mike Hussey also failed, scoring 4.

Katich fell to a magnificent catch by Neil McKenzie, who dived to his right at gully and Hussey was caught at second slip off Morkel's bowling.

Australia haven't played three debutants in the same Test match since Merv Hughes, Geoff Marsh and Bruce Reid helped Allan Border's side draw the Adelaide Test against Kapil Dev's India in December, 1985.

Smith's South Africa will snatch Test cricket's top ranking from Australia if they win this three-Test series.

28 February, 2009

A composed century on debut from Marcus North followed by a disciplined bowling display from Australia put the tourists well in command at the close of day two of the first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

After Australia piled on 466, which included an unbeaten career-best 96 from Mitchell Johnson and a half-century from Brad Haddin, it put the home side under all sorts of pressure and left it reeling at 3-85 at the close.

It capped a remarkable turnaround for Ricky Ponting's side, which was at 3-38 early on the first morning, before North's century - the 18th on debut by an Australian - helped it post the fifth highest score by a team batting first at the Wanderers.

The Proteas were in immediate trouble when they began their response after tea and were 1-1 after just five balls when Johnson pitched the ball up to Graeme Smith, who sent a thick outside edge to a diving Haddin behind the stumps for a duck.

That became 2-2 three balls later after Hashim Amla edged a swinging delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus - his second in Test cricket - to Ponting at second slip, the captain taking a smart catch diving forward to send the batsman packing for one.

Jacques Kallis and Neil McKenzie then began the repair work and there was soon something positive for the crowd to cheer after Kallis pushed a Peter Siddle delivery into the covers to bring up his 10,000th Test run, only the eighth batsman in history to do so.

But after he took three consecutive fours off the same bowler, he went for one shot too many in his following over and squared the ball straight to Michael Hussey at gully for 27.

Opener McKenzie (35 not out) and AB de Villiers (13 not out) took the hosts through to the close, still trailing the visitors by a massive 381.

Earlier, North became the first Australian since Michael Clarke against India in 2004 to hit a century on debut.

Beginning the day alongside overnight partner Haddin with the score at 5-254, the pair took full advantage of South Africa's heavy reliance on waiting for the new ball during the first part of an extended morning session.

There were 12 overs to be bowled before it was due and the home side looked to be going through the motions as it waited for its availability.

During that time North and Haddin were under no pressure, with the former bringing up a patient 104-ball 50 when he nudged Paul Harris for two towards fine leg in the fifth over of the day, while the latter followed not long after raising his half-century off 79 deliveries.

They put on 113, before Haddin was out for 63 when he pulled the penultimate ball of the fourth over with the new ball from Makhaya Ntini to Harris at mid-on.

Five deliveries later, Dale Steyn enticed the new man, Andrew McDonald, to push at an away swinger that he only succeeded in edging to Kallis at second slip for a duck.

Western Australia captain North was unbeaten on 85 at lunch, and continued his calm knock after the break reaching the three-figure mark off 207 balls when he turned JP Duminy wide of backward point for three.

He was not yet ready to ease up though and brought up the 100 partnership with Johnson in the 117th over, before the tourists' strike bowler notched up his 50 the very next delivery when he lifted Duminy over long-on for the second six of his innings.


But just as North was looking to dig into Harris, he went dancing down the wicket and was deceived in the flight, with Boucher stumping him for 117 to end his 355-minute stay.

Siddle joined Johnson, who continued his onslaught on the South African attack going past his previous best score of 61 by climbing into one Harris over off which he took 26, including three sixes.

He moved into his 90s by hitting Steyn for three fours in an over - his brutal assault helping to bring up the 50-run stand for the ninth wicket in just 26 deliveries.

But Morne Morkel ended his hopes of a first Test century when he removed Siddle (nine), caught by Kallis at second slip, and Hilfenhaus (duck), gathered by De Villiers at third slip, in successive deliveries as Australia was all out for 466.

The pick of South Africa's bowlers was Steyn with 4-113, while Ntini picked up 2-71 and Morkel 3-117.

01 March, 2009

Mitchell Johnson An unbeaten century from AB de Villiers was South Africa's only positive on the third day of the opening Test against Australia at the Wanderers, with the tourists reaching 1-51 when bad light stopped play - an overall lead of 297.

Responding to the massive 466 set by Ricky Ponting's team in the first innings, the home side endured a mid-morning collapse, before eventually being bowled out for 220 - a 246-run deficit and still 47 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

But the visitors decided against putting their hosts back in, and by the time the bad light and heavy rain arrived, they had just crossed the half-century mark for the loss of Simon Katich, who got a fine edge off Morne Morkel to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for 10.

Debutant opener Phillip Hughes, who made a duck in his first innings, was 36 not out alongside captain Ponting as they took Australia to a position of total control.

Earlier, two wickets in four deliveries of the 58th over from Mitchell Johnson helped his team take charge after he had JP Duminy (17) and Mark Boucher (0) both caught by Brad Haddin in the seventh of a nine-over spell.

Resuming on 3-85 overnight, Neil McKenzie added just one more run to his score before he was dismissed in the fourth over of the morning.

Peter Siddle was the bowler, delivering a good ball that cut back off the pitch and hit the Proteas opener just below the knee roll with umpire Steve Bucknor having no doubt in giving the batsman out leg before wicket.

McKenzie was not convinced, though, and opted to use the first of two available referrals, which proved a wrong decision as he was given out for 36.

In Siddle's next over, he fired in a short ball to Duminy that looked to have clipped something along the way to Haddin, but after Ponting decided to go upstairs, he then reversed his call after the camera required for the replay broke down.

The South Africa batsman then received another let off when Ponting put down a relatively comfortable chance at second slip when he was on 13.

But the hosts threw away any initiative that had been slowly developing when Duminy, who added four more runs after that chance, tried to guide a leg-side delivery from Johnson past Haddin, but only succeeded in gloving the ball to the wicketkeeper.

Three deliveries later the same two Australian players combined to dismiss Boucher, who feathered behind for a duck - the South Africa batsman challenging Billy Bowden's call, but his fate was confirmed by third umpire Asad Rauf.

Morkel was next to follow when he tried to pull a short delivery from Siddle and only succeeded in a tame top-edge that was snapped up by the bowler for two.

In the very next over Marcus North picked up his first Test wicket by trapping Paul Harris leg before for one as Australia turned the screw on the hosts.

Resuming after lunch, Dale Steyn and De Villiers began their attempt to again rebuild.

The South African No.5 was dropped by Haddin soon after lunch, off the bowling of Siddle, when the New South Wales gloveman dived in front of North at first slip only to spill the chance.

De Villiers had one other scare in the early nineties when Ponting decided to refer a decision by Bowden not to give him out leg before wicket off an Andrew McDonald delivery, which proved the correct call by the on-field umpire.


The two then brought up the 50 partnership in 82 balls, but three balls later, Steyn's determined effort came to an end when he gave McDonald his first wicket of the game by edging him to North for 17.

De Villiers continued his charge towards an eighth Test century in his 50th match for his country, bringing up his ton in 181 deliveries in the first over with the new ball, when he pulled a short one from Ben Hilfenhaus through mid-wicket for four.

In the next over, Johnson cleaned up Makhaya Ntini for one, leaving his partner not out on 104 as the hosts were all out for 220 - still 47 short of the follow-on, which the tourists decided not to enforce.

Johnson was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4-25 in 18.1 overs, while Siddle bagged 3-76 in 21.

02 March, 2009

Jacques Kallis South Africa's hopes of saving the first Test match against Australia at the Wanderers lay in the balance after day four, with the wickets of Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie in the final session leaving the tourists firmly in command.

The Proteas reached stumps at 2-178 in pursuit of an unlikely 454, but the dismissal of the captain especially, for a well-played 69 will certainly hurt them going into the final day.

After reaching tea at 57 without loss, McKenzie was first to go with the score on 76 when he edged a full delivery from Mitchell Johnson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 35.

Hashim Amla then came in and survived an early scare when he was almost run out after pushing Andrew McDonald straight to Michael Clarke at cover point, with the fielder narrowly missing the stumps as the batsman's hesitation left him well short of his crease.

But he survived and together with Smith, who brought up his half-century in 84 balls, took the score to 130, before the captain attempted to pull a short ball from Ben Hilfenhaus and only succeeded in top-edging to Johnson at mid-on.

But Amla (43) and Jacques Kallis (26) remained unbeaten at the close to help the hosts reduce the target on the final day - which will be 98 overs due to time lost over the previous three days - to 276.

Earlier, Kallis starred with the ball, taking three wickets and a stunning catch to help his side dismiss the tourists for 207 in their second innings.

The all-rounder claimed the wickets of Ricky Ponting (25), Michael Hussey (nought) and Marcus North (five) in a five-over burst that went for 22 - with Makhaya Ntini and Paul Harris also contributing to the cause with three and two scalps each.

Phillip Hughes, who is playing in his first match, made a rather fortunate 75, but watched as his country slipped from being 1-99 at one stage, to losing eight wickets for 75 runs by the time the extended morning session had ended.

After surviving when he gloved a Morne Morkel delivery to Mark Boucher for 21 late on Saturday - no-one, including umpire Billy Bowden, spotted the edge - the 20-year-old again received a let-off when the same thing happened on Sunday with his score on 36.

However, he rode his luck and went on to bring up his 50 in 85 balls when he punched Morkel for four through mid-off, before completing a half-century stand with Ponting as Australia looked the only side in the game.

But Kallis was then brought into the attack for the first time and his introduction proved a masterstroke move by captain Smith as he struck with the last two balls in the 27th over.

First the all-rounder tempted Ponting into pulling a shorter, slower delivery that he only succeeded in guiding straight to Amla at deep square-leg.

He followed that up with another short ball to Hussey, who could only top edge after he tried to pull the ball away and was snapped up by Ntini at square leg.

Kallis then pulled off a stunning catch two deliveries later when he took a sharp one-handed chance to his right at first slip to send Clarke on his way for a second ball duck.

Harris was the bowler this time, enticing the Australia vice-captain into a thick outside edge off a nicely flighted delivery.

First-innings centurion North survived the hat-trick delivery from Kallis, but could do nothing with the fifth ball of the over, which was pitched short but failed to rise as North expected before crashing into his off stump as the score quickly changed from 1-99 to 5-104.

Another superb catch ended Hughes' brave 123-ball stay, with AB de Villiers this time plucking a one-handed blinder with his left hand inches from the ground at leg slip after the debutant opener tried to turn the ball around the corner.

McDonald lasted just 11 deliveries before he was on his way after edging a wider Ntini delivery on the drive straight to Boucher for seven.


It could have been worse for the tourists an over later when Haddin was given out to Harris leg before wicket by umpire Bowden, but after calling for a review was deemed not out by Asad Rauf.

Ntini though did capture the eighth wicket in his very next over when his angled delivery to Johnson took a regulation edge straight to Kallis for one.

And the same bowler then had Haddin out caught by Boucher in the penultimate over before lunch for a vital 37, before Dale Steyn wrapped up the last wicket 20 minutes after the interval when he cleaned up Hilfenhaus for 16, leaving Peter Siddle unbeaten on 22.

South Africa began the massive run chase solidly with Smith and McKenzie helping it reach tea at 57 without loss.

The Proteas openers were largely untroubled in their pursuit, with the only real scare coming in the first over when Johnson struck the home captain with a seaming delivery on the pads and his opposite number Ponting decided to refer the decision after Bowden gave not out.

It proved the right call with replays clearly showing the ball making contact outside the line of the off-stump as the two batsmen continued to bat fluently to give their side real hope of at least saving the match.

03 March, 2009

Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle claimed four and three wickets respectively as Australia wrapped up the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers with a comfortable 162-run victory just after tea on day five.

The home side had come into the final day confident of at least saving the game, but the tourists' ability to strike at regular intervals proved decisive as Graeme Smith's team were bundled out for 291 in pursuit of a record 454.

Hashim Amla (57) and Jacques Kallis (45) were the only two batsmen to put up any real resistance, and the dismissal of the Proteas' No.3 followed by that of AB de Villiers ended any hope of a draw, let alone victory.

In the end, Johnson's three wickets on the final day, coupled with good support from the rest of his attack, helped Ricky Ponting's team move 1-0 up in the three-Test series.

The hosts began the day well enough with the score at 2-178 as Amla and Kallis looked comfortable through the opening hour when they brought up the 50 partnership from the first delivery of the day.

The Proteas' No.3 then reached his half-century in 103 balls when he capitalised on a Johnson half volley and drove him through the covers for four.

But seven runs later he perished when attempting to flick Siddle through the leg side - his failure to keep the ball down proved his undoing as Phillip Hughes gathered a simple catch at short square-leg.

De Villiers was next to follow when Billy Bowden sent him on his way after being trapped leg before wicket by Andrew McDonald for three.

The batsman was not convinced though and asked for a referral, but his fate was confirmed by TV umpire Asad Rauf, who eliminated any doubt the bowl was sliding down leg side.

The new ball, which was expected to be crucial on the final day, was taken as soon as it became available and Johnson almost struck with the first delivery when Kallis was trapped low on his pads and given out leg before by Bowden.

Kallis also opted to go upstairs - this time the decision proving a correct one as Rauf decided that ball pitched outside the line and reversed the initial call by the on-field umpire.

But Kallis only lasted until Johnson's next over when he tried to drive a fuller delivery and instead succeeded in playing on for 45 as South Africa slumped to 5-247 at lunch.

After the break JP Duminy was first to go when his attempts to fend off a Siddle bouncer saw the ball float easily to Ponting at second slip for 29.


That ended a 39-run stand with Mark Boucher, who continued his resistance with Morne Morkel, but the latter threw his wicket away cheaply with an attempted pull shot off Mitchell Johnson that only flew high to Phillip Hughes at mid-on for two.

Wicketkeeper Boucher was next to follow, this time off a fine Ben Hilfenhaus delivery that cut back off the pitch and cleaned up the stumps as Australia closed in on victory, which came eight deliveries after tea.

Paul Harris was first to go, when he was caught at short-leg by Simon Katich off Siddle for eight, before Johnson bowled Dale Steyn for six to seal the win.

The Australian strike bowler, who was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings with 4-114, was named man-of-the-match for his eight-wicket haul in the game, while he also made 96 not out with the bat.

Siddle claimed 3-46 in the second innings, while Hilfenhaus picked up 2-68.

The next Test begins in Durban on Friday.

Mature South Africa look to bounce back

March 5, 2009

Match facts

March 6-10, 2009
Start time 10.00am (08.00GMT)

Big Picture

If the mutual tours constituted one big series the score would be 2-2, which highlights just how closely matched these teams are. Instead, Australia hold a 1-0 lead and with victory in Durban they can claim the series and retain the No. 1 Test ranking, which looked like disappearing across the Indian Ocean following South Africa's triumph in Australia.

The short four-day turnaround after the Wanderers Test probably favours South Africa, whose more mature attack is used to bouncing back quickly after tough five-day contests. Australia's young fast men left Johannesburg sore and exhausted but happy with their result and if they can regain their spark by Friday they will enjoy the pace and bounce at Kingsmead. The result might be unpredictable but all anybody can hope for is as tight a game as these teams have become used to putting on recently. If the contest between bat and ball is anywhere near as even as it was in Johannesburg, the fans will be in for a treat.


Form guide (last five Tests, most recent first)

South Africa LLWWW
Australia WWLLW



Watch out for

Morne Morkel was criticised for his inconsistency at the Wanderers, although he did bowl a few cracking deliveries. At Kingsmead, the extra bounce should make him even more of a handful when he gets it right. The pressure will be on Morkel to lift his game; his brother Albie has been called into the squad and the two are highly competitive. The last thing Morne would want would be a Waugh-like situation where the established brother made way for the new one to make his Test debut.

Simon Katich has been Australia's top-order rock in the past 12 months and his double failure in Johannesburg was a rare slip. The inexperienced members of the batting line-up performed strongly but men like Phillip Hughes and Marcus North could yet have an up-and-down introduction to Test cricket so it will be vital for Katich to provide stability through the remainder of the series.


Team news

South Africa haven't changed their line-up at all in the four Test they have played against Australia recently and despite the loss in Johannesburg that's a trend that is likely to continue. Their 12-man squad lost Lonwabo Tsotsobe to injury and Albie Morkel was included as his replacement. But the coach Mickey Arthur is keen to back his existing pace attack on the bouncy Durban pitch and the spinner Paul Harris is also expected to retain his spot despite never having played a Test at Kingsmead.

South Africa (likely) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Neil McKenzie, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Morne Morkel, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.

For all their injuries and last-minute squad additions, it is likely that Australia will go in with the same 11 that triumphed at the Wanderers. Peter Siddle has a foot problem and Ben Hilfenhaus is battling a sore back and the group has two fast-bowling cover players, Brett Geeves and Steve Magoffin. However, the captain Ricky Ponting expects Siddle and Hilfenhaus to play, which would leave their only decision as whether to include either of their specialist spinners, Bryce McGain or Nathan Hauritz. The medium-pacer Andrew McDonald could be the man in danger if a slow bowler is preferred but with rain around Durban on match eve, an all-seam attack again seems likely.

Australia (likely) 1 Phillip Hughes, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Andrew McDonald, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Peter Siddle, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.


Pitch and conditions

Kingsmead always offers plenty of bounce and pace and there's no reason to expect anything different on this occasion. There was rain on the morning before the match and a chance of thunderstorms on the first day.


Stats and Trivia

Australia had recent form on their side at the Wanderers but neither side can claim the upper hand at Kingsmead, where there has been one win each and a draw in the three Tests between Australia and South Africa in the post-apartheid era
Since 2002, only two slow bowlers have collected at least three wickets in an innings at Kingsmead: Shane Warne and Anil Kumble
In Hashim Amla's eight Test innings against Australia in the past three months, he has been out in the 50s four times and is yet to capitalise on his strong starts


Quotes

"It was interesting to see what they thought were the real problem areas for them in that [Johannesburg] game. I don't want to tell you what I think they are because they'll read about them."
Ricky Ponting is keeping his cards close to his chest

"The team sat together and we were pretty open and honest with where we were and what we wanted to achieve. I think that's the manner of the group, it's come a long way in terms of maturity."
Graeme Smith isn't panicking after the Johannesburg loss

07 March, 2009

Two wickets in the final session helped South Africa fight back after a tough opening day of the second Test in Durban for the hosts, but centuries from openers Phillip Hughes and Simon Katich still kept Australia firmly in command at 4-303 at stumps.

The Australian opening pair took the attack to the Proteas from the start, putting on 184 for the first wicket to lay a firm foundation as the home side struggled with its line and length through the opening two sessions.

But Dale Steyn and Paul Harris sniffed out two wickets after tea to give South Africa renewed hope with Michael Hussey (37 not out) and Marcus North (17 not out) forced to consolidate in the closing overs.

It proved a good ending for Graeme Smith's team, which will now sleep much better with renewed optimism of staying alive in the series and overtaking its opponent at the top of the world rankings.

Resuming after tea with the score at 2-218, the Proteas captain and his players looked to have dismissed Hussey in the third over when he was trapped in front by Morne Morkel and given out by umpire Asad Rauf.

But after eventually deciding to refer the call, he was deemed not out by Steve Bucknor after the ball pitched narrowly outside the line of leg stump forcing the initial call to be reversed.

At the other end, Katich brought up his patient century from 177 balls when he carved a wide ball from Morkel through the off side for four as Australia moved to 2-250.

But the opener added only eight more runs to his total before Steyn tempted him into a false stroke off a good length that he nicked to Smith at first slip for 108.

Three over later, Michael Clarke was cleaned up by an excellent delivery from Harris, who watched as the ball was pitched on middle stump and straightened its way past the uncertain batsman for three.

But Hussey was joined by North and the pair steadied things with an unbroken 37-run stand as Australia ended the day well placed at Kingsmead.

Earlier, Hughes' maiden century helped the tourists take full command as he and Katich raced through the morning session to leave them 0-119 at lunch.

Both sides decided to retain the same line-ups that did duty in the first Test that was won by 162 runs by the Australians - Ponting winning his fifth toss in as many games against Smith and electing to bat.

The two openers made a flying start and were especially harsh on Morkel - Hughes taking 21 runs off his second over of the morning to bring up the 50 in just the 12th over.

Morkel, already taken for two fours in the over, sent in a high no-ball bouncer in anger that flew over wicketkeeper Boucher for yet another boundary, with two more following off the final two deliveries.

The young New South Wales opener, in his second Test match, then brought up his fifty in 63 balls, including 10 fours, to help his side reach lunch in a commanding position.

After the break, he survived an early scare when Harris appealed loudly for leg before.

Umpire Rauf decided it was not out - and after Smith decided to use the first of his two referrals, Bucknor confirmed the initial decision with the batsman having a slight inside-edge to thank for his reprieve.

At the other end, Katich continued his patient knock bringing up his half-century off 100 balls when he clipped Steyn past square-leg for two, before his partner raced through to his hundred with consecutive sixes off Harris.

He did so off only 132 balls, including 17 fours and those two sixes.

Then followed two dropped catches, Hashim Amla first putting down a sharp chance from Katich on 55 at midwicket - before Hughes' outside edge was grassed low down by Jacques Kallis off Morkel.


The young opener was out in the next over though, when he chased a wide Kallis delivery only to cut it into the waiting hands of Neil McKenzie at gully.

The hosts then used up the second of their referrals unsuccessfully. Morkel thought he had heard Katich get a nick through to Mark Boucher - but 'Hot Spot' technology, available to the third umpire for the first time in this match, confirmed there was nothing to it.

The second breakthrough did arrive a few overs later when Ponting, on nine, uncharacteristically miscued a Harris delivery - and McKenzie took the catch at deep mid-off.

Harris was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, taking 2-66 in 21 overs, while Steyn and Kallis grabbed the other two wickets.

08 March, 2009

Andrew McDonald claimed three wickets in the final session to ensure Australia maintained a firm grip on the second Test against South Africa in Durban with the host reaching stumps at 7-138.

Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis and Morne Morkel were all victims of the all-rounder's nagging medium pace, which followed Mitchell Johnson's earlier burst that reduced the Proteas to 2-0 in the first over of their innings.

The Australian paceman was also responsible for injuring Graeme Smith and then Kallis with two brutal deliveries that forced the pair to retire as the home side saw its morning effort - it claimed the visitors' last six wickets for a miserly 23 runs to bowl them out for 352 - thrown out the window.

In the end JP Duminy was left to carry South African hopes with his unbeaten 73 helping it reduce the deficit to 214 - still 15 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

Resuming after tea with the score at 4-62, Duminy reached his half-century from 88 balls when played Peter Siddle through the gully region for four, before McDonald snared Harris with a good delivery that jagged back to bowl the batsman for four.

Two balls later he dismissed Kallis, who returned to bat after x-rays revealed no serious damage to his jaw, which was hit by a Johnson delivery.

The South African all-rounder chipped a tame delivery on leg stump straight to Ricky Ponting at short mid-wicket for 22.

McDonald then cleaned up Morkel for a duck as the home side slumped to 7-106, before Dale Steyn (eight not out) and Duminy took the hosts to the close without further damage.

Before the tea break, Johnson was the star as his double strike at the start of the South African response left it 2-0 after just five balls.

The paceman removed Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla for ducks, before dishing out injuries to Smith and Kallis - the former more serious as his broken little finger on his right hand ruling him out for the next Test.

McKenzie was first out when he found a short delivery outside off stump too hard to resist and got a fine edge to Brad Haddin, with Amla next to follow courtesy of a fine inswinging delivery that trapped him leg before wicket.

In Johnson's next over, Smith was hit plush on the right hand as he tried to fend off a short delivery on the leg side and was forced to retire hurt for two.

AB de Villiers was next to go when Ben Hilfenhaus managed to get a good length delivery to cut back sharply, trapping the batsman lbw for three as the hosts slumped to 3-6.

But Duminy and Kallis then consolidated, bringing up the 50-run stand in just under 18 overs, before the South African all-rounder was knocked down with a bloody chin after being struck by Johnson.

He had to go off for 22 leaving the home side in a desperate position, which only got worse when tea was called after Boucher was cleaned up by the same bowler when he was yorked for one.

During the morning, a much-improved bowling performance from South Africa helped it fight back to dismiss Australia for 352.

Only 48 runs were scored at the cost of four wickets in a morning that was cut short by rain, with the visitors' only plus point coming courtesy of Michael Hussey's half century.


Play started 30 minutes late due to a wet outfield, but Australia, resuming on 4-303 made a steady start with Hussey reaching his 14th half-century off 137 balls.

But he was ruffled by Steyn in the 11th over of the day - the paceman knocking him on the head with a brutal bouncer that was followed by two similar deliveries as the pair exchanged words.

And the very next over Morkel took full advantage when he bowled the Western Australian for 50.

North was next to go for 38, caught by Steyn at square leg, before Ntini had Haddin (five) and Johnson (nought) out in the same over - the former caught by Amla at midwicket, with the latter trapped plumb in front for a first ball duck as tourists went into lunch clearly shaken by a rejuvenated South Africa.

And it took only four deliveries after lunch for the tail to be wrapped up.

Steyn had Siddle caught behind by Boucher with his second ball without scoring, before Hilfenhaus also went for nought when he edged the same bowler straight to Smith at first slip.

Steyn was the pick of the bowlers with 3-83 in 25.4 overs, while there were two wickets each for Ntini, Kallis and Harris.

09 March, 2009

Phillip Hughes hit his second century of the match to help Australia into an almost unassailable position in the second Test against South Africa as it reached the end of day three at 3-292, an overall lead of 506.

The 20-year-old, who was unbeaten on 136 when stumps were drawn in Durban, became the youngest player to achieve the feat and received good support from Ricky Ponting after the captain chipped in with a well played 81.

Michael Clark was the other unbeaten batsman on 14, with the only other Australian wickets to fall on the day being Simon Katich (30) and Michael Hussey (19) as the hosts were outplayed and outclassed.

Peter Siddle had earlier claimed the final two wickets without the Proteas adding to their overnight total of 7-138, leaving them 214 runs behind on the first innings totals.

Siddle followed on the good work done by Mitchell Johnson and Andrew McDonald on day two - when the pair claimed three wickets each - by removing the last two batsmen within three deliveries of the start.

The Victoria paceman struck with just the second delivery when he tempted Dale Steyn to chase a wide delivery that took the toe end of the bat through to Brad Haddin for eight.

His dismissal was followed by that of Makhaya Ntini with the very next delivery when Siddle's angled ball trapped him in front for a duck, leaving JP Duminy unbeaten on 73 and having not faced a ball on day three.

Graeme Smith was the other man not out on two, but the captain was unable to bat after he retired hurt with a broken finger in his right hand.

The hosts were also left 15 runs short of avoiding the follow-on, but Ponting opted not to reinsert them.

Instead, the tourists came out on a mission with Katich and Hughes raising the half-century stand in just 66 balls, before the former tried to angle a Jacques Kallis delivery down to third man, but was excellently snapped up by Paul Harris at gully leaving Australia at 1-91 at lunch.

Resuming after the break, Hughes brought up his third consecutive Test 50, followed by Ponting.


The Australian captain then reached another milestone when he lifted Steyn over midwicket for four - overtaking Steve Waugh's 10,927 career runs to become the fourth-highest run scorer in the game - before his side dominated its host and edged closer towards a series win.

Resuming after tea at 1-203, Ponting and Hughes quickly raised their 150-run stand, before Morne Morkel's introduction saw him remove the touring skipper with just his third delivery.

A short ball from the South African paceman saw the batsman's efforts to pull him to the square leg boundary fly straight to Neil McKenzie, who took a good catch diving forward in the deep to end the partnership for 164.

Hughes then raised his hundred by cutting the same bowler over the slips to surpass George Headley for West Indies against England in 1930 as the youngest man to score a century in both innings of a Test.

That moment of celebration was followed by the next wicket - Duminy was the bowler, getting the ball to turn sharply into Hussey and the ball took the edge on its way to Kallis low down at first slip.

However, vice-captain Clark and Hughes then took the Australians to the close without any further trouble.