2008/09 Australia V South Africa Test & One Day Series
 

First Test evenly poised
17 December, 2008

Australia has finished the opening day of the first 3 Mobile Test against South Africa on 9-341.

At the start of the day, the Australians would probably have been more than happy with the 300-plus score after falling to 3-15 in the first six overs when Matthew Hayden fell for 12 with Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey both making ducks.

But having established decent starts to their innings, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Brad Haddin all gave up their wickets cheaply playing rash shots and the Australians could end up paying dearly for it against a strong South African batting line-up.

Jason Krejza (19) and Peter Siddle (0) were the not out batsmen after Mitchell Johnson (18) was trapped in front off the final ball of the day by the impressive Morne Morkel

It was a fair result for the South Africans as Johnson was dropped at fine-leg by Makhaya Ntini and presented several other chances throughout his innings.

Simon Katich was the star of the day for the hosts, though, the opener producing an almost chanceless 83 before being trapped in front by a full toss from Morne Morkel just before tea.

At that point, the Australians had wrested the momentum back from South Africa after the early flurry of wickets, with Katich and Michael Clarke combining for 149 runs for the fourth wicket.

The next over Clarke had a brain explosion, lofting South African spinner Paul Harris to mid-on unnecessarily and losing his wicket for 62, allowing the South Africans to go to tea with all the momentum and the score at 5-172.

Symonds (57) and Haddin (46) looked set for the most explosive partnership of the day, however, as the pair took to Harris and Jacques Kallis in the final session, taking singles at will as Proteas' skipper Graeme Smith opted for an ultra-aggressive field with a short mid-on and short mid-off in play.

But despite conceding 93 runs in 73 minutes as Symonds and Haddin carved up the attack, Smith's aggressive field placements eventually paid dividends as he tempted both Symonds and Haddin into big shots over the infield.

Having passed his half-century, Symonds was deceived by some movement by Harris and his leading edge was well caught in the deep by Neil McKenzie, giving the spinner his second wicket at the expense of 70 runs.

The second new ball worked effectively for South Africa too, as Haddin lofted Ntini's second delivery with the new ball directly down Proteas debutant J.P. Duminy's throat in the deep once again.

It was the veteran fast bowler's third wicket of the day after he claimed Hayden and Ponting's scalps with consecutive balls in the third over of the morning.

The biggest disappointment of the day for South Africa would be star fast bowler Dale Steyn. The 25-year-old claimed Hussey's wicket early in the morning bowling into the breeze but became increasingly frustrated as Katich and Clarke salvaged Australia's innings.

As his frustration mounted Steyn lost his length and was pinged for three wides for deliveries that flew over the batsmen's heads. He eventually took his second wicket for 71 runs after Brett Lee (29) mis-timed a drive and was caught by Duminy.

Morkel (2-62), though, eventually took the second wicket he deserved off the last ball of the day. His patient use of the yorker had proved enough to break the Katich/Clarke partnership that had threatened to see Australia post a 450-plus score, while the lanky paceman produced an effective line and length all day as others floundered.

The Proteas', though, suffered an early blow on Wednesday morning. Vice-captain Ashwell Prince was forced from the side after cracking his thumb in the nets on Tuesday facing Ntini. He is expected to need 10-days recuperation and could be in doubt for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Mitch's magic spell
18 December, 2008

Mitchell Johnson A seven-wicket haul from Mitchell Johnson has turned the second day of the first 3 Mobile Test on its head in an incredible, topsy-turvy final session at the WACA.

The Proteas were cruising after tea at 3-234 in response to Australia's 375, with half-centurions Jacques Kallis (63) and AB de Villiers (63) looking well in control.

But the loss of de Villiers, caught behind off Johnson in the last half hour set in motion a remarkable train of events as Johnson claimed 5-2 in 21 balls, as the Proteas were reduced to 8-243 at stumps.

Kallis followed in Johnson's next over as he was caught behind as well, with the next over seeing Proteas' debutant J.P Duminy (1) caught by Brad Haddin with a delivery that looked to come off the glove.

Morne Morkel made one before becoming the next of Johnson's victims in the penultimate over of the day, with the left-armer also claiming Paul Harris (0) for good measure, both batsmen being caught in close through sharp catches by Jason Krejza.

Johnson finished the day with 7-42, his best bowling figures and his second five-wicket haul after taking 5-38 against New Zealand last month.

The wickets, though, were symptomatic of a match where wickets have fallen in clusters over the first two days, despite the batsmen appearing comfortably in control in between.


After Proteas' opener Neil McKenzie became Johnson's first scalp with a dreadful shot that he skied directly to Krejza, South African skipper Graeme Smith and No.3 bat Hashim Amla easily posted 90 runs before Krejza produced a stunning ball to remove Amla.

Krejza, brought back on against the breeze once it blew up, flighted a delivery to Amla, getting it to turn wickedly off the deck and slip through the gate as Amla attempted to drive, taking out the batsman's off-stump.

Johnson had initially struggled with his line and length during his early spells, but he rapidly got it right, testing and probing South Africa's batsmen with a good combination of fast and slow balls before earning a nick from Smith that was edged onto the stumps half an hour before tea.

But Kallis and De Villiers weathered the Australian's pressure, taking the Proteas through to the final break and wresting the momentum back as they put on 100 runs from 191 balls.

But having established a start, de Villiers fell to Johnson, sparking the massive collapse as the tourists lost 5-7, Johnson leaving the pitch to the biggest round of applause for the day.

Australia's other wicket taker, Krejza, finished the day with 1-102 after taking some stiff punishment from Kallis and de Villiers as he tired late in the day.

Aussie tail fights hard
19 December, 2008

Mike Hussey South Africa has fought its way into a good position at stumps on day three of the first 3 Mobile Test at the WACA, although the Proteas still have to contend with a fighting Australian tail led by Brad Haddin and Jason Krejza.

In a match with more twists and turns than a soap opera, Australia bowled South Africa out for 281 early on Friday morning in response to the home side's initial 375.

Mitchell Johnson was the star, completing one of the finest bowling performances by an Australian player, his 8-61 including a sensational spell of 5-2 late on the second day, as the Proteas slumped from a comfortable 3-234 to 8-243.

South Africa, though, seemed determined to atone for that late collapse when it came into bowl, the Proteas producing some tight bowling and inspired fielding to have the home side reeling at 7-162 with a lead of just 256 runs, easy pickings for the tourist's strong batting line-up.

Fighting the momentum, not-out batsmen Haddin (39) and Krejza (28) hit back, attacking the Proteas' bowlers and posting a vital 66-run partnership that took the hosts to stumps with the score at 7-228, a lead of 322 runs that may have swung the match back in Australia's favour.

Johnson's performance, though, will not remove the spotlight from Matthew Hayden, the opener only making four runs in the second innings before being adjudged caught and bowled by Dale Steyn in a poor decision, as the ball clearly came off Hayden's pads.

At the start of the day, Johnson wasted little time taking his eighth wicket of the innings, having Steyn caught behind for eight in the day's third over as Australia immediately profited from taking the new ball.

The 27-year-old former Queenslander almost took his ninth when Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher top-edged high into the air. But Brad Haddin missed the difficult chance to give Johnson the best figures for an Australian of all time, allowing Arthur Malley's 87-year-old record of 9-121 to stand.

Having bowled South Africa out, Australia's run chase started poorly with Hayden falling before lunch.

Simon Katich (37), Ricky Ponting (32) and Mike Hussey (8) then all failed to capitalise on making good starts, giving the Proteas some degree of hope that blossomed after tea as Michael Clarke (26), Andrew Symonds (37) and Brett Lee (5) all feel in quick succession.

Ponting had some excuses, battling on against an abdominal strain before being deceived by some extra bounce from Proteas' spinner Paul Harris (2-64).

But Katich failed to move his feet effectively, while Hussey chopped a Makhaya Ntini (1-53) delivery onto his stumps, the batsmen attempting to lift the run rate after being on the defensive to Morne Morkel, who bowled impressively without reward.

After carefully compiling a 60-run partnership, Clarke and Symonds also fell to some terrible shot selection as their naturally aggressive games came through.

Both batsmen were guilty of giving away their wickets in the first innings through some rash big hits, but they held themselves in check for an hour before Clarke slashed at a wide Steyn (2-57) delivery and was caught behind.

Symonds then dolled up an easy catch to give Harris his second wicket, the Queenslander miscuing an attempt to hit over the infield.

And Lee fell victim to a sensational catch by AB de Villiers at third slip, the fielder diving headlong to take it two-handed as Lee attempted to glide the ball through point.

But that just brought Haddin and Krejza to the crease, the wicketkeeper immediately releasing the pressure by belting Harris for two sixes in the next over, with Krejza giving him good support down the other end.

Proteas within reach
20 December, 2008

Brad Haddin A composed century from Graeme Smith has put South Africa within range of winning the first 3 Mobile Test, although the tourists still need to complete the second highest run chase in history.

On a stormy, rain-interrupted day at the WACA, where play stretched deep into the evening, South Africa bowled Australia out for 319 on the stroke of lunch, top scorer Brad Haddin scoring 94, to set the Proteas 414 over five sessions of play.

South Africa lost Neil McKenzie early in the innings for 10 but Smith's century and a half century to Hashim Amla helped the Proteas finish on 3-227, needing 187 to win with seven wickets in hand and a day to play.

Smith and Amla combined for 163 runs, the pair barely presenting a chance to the Australians as they fended off Peter Siddle and Jason Krejza with ease, moving along to 1-172 late in the final session.

But the re-introduction of spearheads Brett Lee (1-40) and Mitchell Johnson (2-56) into the attack changed the complexion of this topsy-turvy match once again.

After taking McKenzie's wicket in the first hour, Johnson claimed his second scalp of the innings and his 10th of the match trapping Smith in front on 108 with a slower ball the skipper attempted to flick off his pads.

Despite taking a secondary role in the partnership, Amla appeared untroubled by Australia's attack as he steadily compiled 53 runs, using his trademark flicks to great effect.

But Lee finally took a well-deserved first wicket for the match, having Amla caught behind three overs after Smith departed.

Having bowled a bouncer at the elegant No.3 bat, Lee followed it up with a fuller delivery that seamed slightly off the deck, earning the bowler a slight edge that carried through to Haddin.

It was the very least Lee deserved for an intimidating performance, especially early in the innings, where he defied a gusty wind to bowl with venom, pinning down the South African openers for seven overs as he beat the bat and threatened with virtually every ball.

But Jacques Kallis (33) and AB de Villiers (11) - the Proteas' top scorers in the first innings with 63 - defied Lee and Johnson, seeing them off as a combination of rain delays and a slow over rate took play past eight o'clock pm, Siddle and Krejza receiving more stick from Kallis as their concentration waned.

If they reach the target, the Proteas will just fall just short of the highest chase in Test history, an accolade earned by the West Indies in 2002-03 when they successfully chased down 418 to win.

Earlier in the day, Haddin and Krejza posted a 79-run eighth-wicket partnership, helping Australia recover from 7-162 late on the third day.

It was a particularly impressive performance by Australia's tail, as the last three wickets fell for 157.

Krejza was out to another brilliant diving catch by de Villiers at point off Kallis (3-24) bowling, the batsman enjoying a sensational match in the field having taken memorable catches to remove Lee in this innings and Mike Hussey on the first day.

A free-wheeling Johnson wielded his bat with such power he broke it compiling 21 runs before edging Morne Morkel (1-42) to Kallis at first slip, while the unbeaten Siddle (4) looked solid in defence as Haddin lifted the run rate down the other end, scoring 16 off Paul Harris (1-85) before being stumped.

Proteas claim historic win
21 December, 2008

AB de Villiers AB de Villiers and debutant J.P. Duminy have led South Africa to a history-making 3 Mobile Test victory over Australia in Perth, the Proteas making 414 to claim the second-highest successful run chase in history

De Villiers crafted a careful, unbeaten 106 on the fifth day at the WACA, taking a back-seat to Jacques Kallis (57) in the morning session as the pair posted a 124-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Kallis became Mitchell Johnson's third wicket of the innings and his 11th for the match when he was caught by Mike Hussey with a sharp catch at point, giving the Australians hope of a sensational victory as the Proteas still had 111 runs to make.

But Duminy showed maturity beyond his years, setting aside a first innings failure as he resisted a determined Johnson during the early stages of his knock and combined with de Villiers for a 111-run partnership that took the Proteas to 4-414, a six-wicket victory.

With three runs needed to win, Duminy stroked Johnson through covers, the batsmen scuttling through for three runs as Andrew Symonds chased it down, giving the debutant an unbeaten and very memorable 50.

"It's not easy to describe," said Man of the Match de Villiers after the match, the batsman spending most of the press conference, head in hands mentally and physically drained.

"Things went our way, that's part of the game and I'm just delighted that we came through."

"JP and I got together and we've played cricket together from a very young age, we understand each other's games and it just paid off today," he said.

The result looked particularly unlikely after the second day, when Johnson produced a sensational spell to dismiss five South African wickets for two runs, seeing the Proteas slump from a comfortable 3-234 in their first innings to eventually be bowled out for 281.

Johnson's 8-61 followed by 3-98 in the second dig gave the 27-year-old match figures of 11-159, the first ten-wicket haul of his career, but it wasn't enough as a determined South Africa dragged themselves off the canvas following the second day failure.

Some tight bowling and inspired fielding on the third day, combined with a few particularly sloppy strokes by the Australian top order, saw the home side slump to 7-162.

But a sparkling 94 from Brad Haddin, who combined with the tail for 157 of the 319 second innings' runs, saw Australia set South Africa a massive 414 to win the encounter over five sessions.

"I really think we had an opportunity to play them out of the game and bat them out of the game with our second innings," said Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

"Whether we weren't good enough, or mentally we weren't in the right place to do that, to occupy the crease and build a really good second innings total, I'm not sure but 319, as it turned out was nowhere near enough in the second innings."

"It is a bit of a worry that we weren't good enough to take 20 wickets in this Test and to only take four in the fourth innings is very disappointing for everybody."

Despite Proteas opener Neil McKenzie falling for 10 after an hour of intense bowling from Brett Lee and Johnson after lunch on day four, Proteas skipper Graeme Smith laid aside the ghosts of past failures against Australia to score his maiden ton against the home side, a bullish 108 as he combined with Hashim Amla (53) for 153 runs.

The departure of that pair an hour before an incredible 8 o'clock pm stumps gave Australia hope leading into the fifth day but that was soon blown away as Kallis and de Villiers scored runs with ease against an Australian attack blunted by a pitch offering no movement off the deck.

Kallis lived dangerously and offered a few chances after Australia took the new ball 16 overs into the morning before being dismissed for 57.

But Duminy proved he had the mettle for the contest, he and de Villiers leading the Proteas home.

Aside from Johnson, Australia's attack lacked bite. Brett Lee (1-73) appeared dangerous on the fourth day but lowered his colours on Sunday and was expensive, while Jason Krejza and Peter Siddle were wicketless at the expense of 102 and 84 runs respectively.


It's the first time Australia has lost the first Test of a series on home soil since it failed against the West Indies in Brisbane during 1988-98.

The result will also the Proteas a sensational chance to win their first Test Series against Australia since the nation's re-introduction to world cricket in 1992 and of becoming the first side since the West Indies in 1992-93 to defeat the Aussies at home.

Jason Krejza dropped, Hauritz and Hilfenhaus included in Test squad
 

December 22, 2008

OFF-SPINNER Nathan Hauritz and paceman Ben Hilfenhaus have been included in Australia's squad for the second cricket Test against South Africa at the MCG, starting on Boxing Day.

Hauritz replaced Jason Krejza, who returned match figures of 1-204 in the six-wicket defeat to the Proteas in the first Test in Perth.

Veterans Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden retained their places in the squad despite their recent struggles, with Hayden a confirmed starter given no other batsmen were brought into the squad.

However Lee, 32, who returned match figures of 1-132 at the WACA Ground, could find himself replaced by Tasmanian Hilfenhaus, who is yet to play a Test although he has played one one-day international.

Victoria paceman Peter Siddle, another who had little impact in Perth, was also retained, while the 13-man squad also included Queensland all-rounder Shane Watson.

Hauritz, 27, has played two Tests, one in India in 2004 and the other against New Zealand in Adelaide last month, when Krejza was injured.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Krejza had leaked too many runs when bowling in Perth, which made it difficult for Australia to maintain pressure on South Africa's batsmen.

South Africa scored a remarkable 4-414 in the final innings of the Test to win, the second-highest successful run-chase in Test history.

“The national selection panel consider that Jason is a potentially fine spin bowler for Australia, but our view is that in Perth we were unable to maintain pressure and to successfully use our fast bowlers we needed to maintain that pressure at the spinner's end,” Hilditch said.

“Jason has been informed of this reasoning and has been encouraged to continue to be a wicket-taking spin bowler but will return to interstate cricket to further those skills.”

Hauritz took four wickets in the second Test against the Kiwis, and Hilditch said the selectors thought the NSW bowler deserved a recall given the pressure he applied in that match.

Hilfenhaus, 25, played a one-day match against New Zealand in January 2007 and has enjoyed a great start to the Sheffield Shield season, having taken 24 wickets at 18.66 from six matches.

The right-armer was rewarded for his form and ability to swing the ball, and in a sign that he could potentially replace Lee, Hilditch said the Tasmanian was capable of opening the bowling.

“Ben is in the middle of a successful Sheffield Shield season for Tasmania and has been added primarily because of his ability to swing the ball,” he said.

“He also adds depth as a new ball bowling option.”

Watson also provides another bowling option, however his all-rounder rival Andrew Symonds made 57 and 37 in Perth, although he was out to two rash shots.

Symonds bowled only three overs in South Africa's first innings.

Hayden's retention paves the way for the 37-year-old to play another Test in Melbourne, where he has a phenomenal record.

Although Hayden has struggled for most of this year - his past 13 innings have yielded only 282 runs at 23.50 - he has scored six centuries from the past seven Tests he played at the MCG.

Australia are aiming to bounce back and win a series after losing the first Test, a feat they have achieved only six times, but not since 1968-69 against the West Indies.

Australia have never won a three-match series after losing the first Test.

Australia Squad
Ricky Ponting (c): TAS, 34
Michael Clarke (vc): NSW, 27
Brad Haddin: NSW, 31
Nathan Hauritz: NSW, 27
Matthew Hayden: QLD, 37
Ben Hilfenhaus: TAS 25
Michael Hussey: WA, 33
Mitchell Johnson: WA, 27
Simon Katich: NSW, 33
Brett Lee: NSW, 32
Peter Siddle: VIC, 24
Andrew Symonds: QLD, 33
Shane Watson: QLD, 27

At some point I think during the 2nd day South Africa got out to odds of 13-1 and I wasnt very confident but I thought its early on in a 2 horse race; god thats good value... but I didnt bet on it of course. In fact never have bet on anything other than racing but maybe should start to.

Hey hussler2912, It was good value but hard go against the aussies. I must say that i wasn't disappointed with australia getting beat. This might be a wake up call for some out of form players and the selectors. cheers Dougie :)

Yeah mate but I just find it ridiculous how Ponting's form hasnt been questioned once. And here he is at the press conference blambing it all on the bowlers. Hey Ricky, how bout you, Hus and Hayden make some runs then you can bag the bowlers. Also they've bought in Hauritz to the side, he's no way better than krejza.

Hey hussler2912, I think Hayden should retired or try to go back to state level and reignite his form with the bat. Brett Lee has personal issues but I think will bounce back. Ponting and Hussey might need more time in middle but they are great players who will strike form soon again i hope. Hilfenhaus a great includition into the Aussie Team will be a big plus with ball being in great form for state level. Anyway we have all got opinions about the Aussie team selection but all they have to do now is the to win the next test in melbourne and then Sydney. GO THE AUSSIES!!!!!!!! oi oi oi. cheers Dougie:)

Haha yeah I agree about Hussey and Ponting and Hayden. I'm just saying I think Ponting should choose his words more carefully when he's not making many runs at all himself. But I think they should drop Johnson :P

Australia name Symonds, Hauritz for MCG as Watson, Hilfenhaus miss out
 

December 25, 2008

ANDREW Symonds and Nathan Hauritz have been included in Australia's XI for the crucial Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Victoria paceman Peter Siddle kept his place in the team despite a moderate showing in the Perth defeat, but all-rounder Shane Watson was again overlooked with Tasmania swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus cut loose from the 13-man squad.

Symonds has been suffering from knee soreness but on Wednesday night was cleared to play. It was thought he would face a challenge from fellow Queensland all-rounder Watson with Australia short of bowling strike power.

But national selectors opted to stick with the same pace attack, choosing only to swap Jason Krejza for fellow off-spinner Hauritz.

"We have only made the one change in the side and that's Nathan Hauritz will come in for Jason Krejza,'' Australia captain Ricky Ponting said.

"Otherwise we are pretty happy with what most of the rest of the guys did in Perth.

"He (Symonds) has trained well in the last couple of days. In the last three or four days it has improved dramatically from where it was at the end of the Perth game.

"He does feel a lot better with it. He has had a number of scans. It is really now just about management through this game and then through the next (Sydney) Test match.''

Symonds didn't bowl in South Africa's second innings in Perth and will be able to bowl off-spin in Melbourne but not his medium pacers, Ponting said.

Australia trail 1-0 in the three-match series and will lose top ranking to the Proteas if the go down 3-0. They are bidding to avert a first home Test series loss since 1992-1993 against West Indies.

Ponting said Australia had considered going into the game with an all-pace attack plus part-time spin from Symonds and Michael Clarke, but decided to play Hauritz, who took four wickets in the second Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last month before making way for Krejza in Perth.

South Africa have retained the same side which won in Perth by six wickets, with vice-captain Ashwell Prince missing out again after failing to prove he has overcome a thumb injury.

Both sides trained at the MCG on Thursday before having family lunches for Christmas Day. A crowd of 70,000 is expected on Boxing Day, and fine and sunny conditions have been forecast.

Teams Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Jean-Paul Duminy, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.

Ponting ton helps Aussies
 

26 December, 2008

Ricky Ponting emphatically answered critics of his captaincy with a gutsy ton but his team remains in a dogfight to square the series against South Africa after the opening day of the second Test at the MCG on Friday.

After yet another failure from opener Matthew Hayden, who made eight, vice-captain Michael Clarke will be entrusted with the task of steering Australia to a total in the vicinity of 400 on Saturday when it resumes on the second morning on 6-280.

Guilty of rash dismissals in Perth, Clarke has batted with more caution this time, taking more than three and a half hours to reach 36.

While not the best of his career, Ponting's 37th Test century, and fourth at the MCG, was particularly sweet, coming after a week of intense criticism following his side's six-wicket loss in the first Test.

Given a life on 24, Ponting made the Proteas pay, delighting the 63,263 fans with an entertaining 101 off only 126 balls before being dismissed with the last ball of the second session.

Scratchy early in the face of an excellent but unrewarded spell of outswing bowling from Jacques Kallis, who made the Australian captain play and miss several times, Ponting gradually improved as his innings wore on.

His innings hit top swing during the middle session when he plundered Makhaya Ntini for three consecutive boundaries, the first one seeing him past 50.

He raced through the 90s, taking just five balls to leap from 87 to three figures, but his innings came to an end when he was caught at short leg by Hashim Amla off the bowling of Paul Harris.

Unlucky in Perth, Hayden had nobody to blame but himself this time when he attempted to drive Ntini but succeeded only to hit it straight to JP Duminy at point.

Katich, in contrast, appeared at ease in the middle and was in magnificent touch.

Batting with the assuredness lacking in his opening partner, Katich was largely untroubled by the Proteas attack.

So it came as a surprise when Katich, on 54, played on to an innocuous delivery from Steyn, who had earlier not threatened with the new ball.

With his confidence lifted, Steyn started to build some menacing pace and, with the aid of movement in the air, resembled the demon quick whose stocks have risen significantly this year.

Michael Hussey, who had no trouble playing the disappointing Morne Morkel, succumbed to his first delivery from Steyn.

Unable to withdraw his bat in time, Hussey feathered one to Mark Boucher, completing his third duck from his past five innings.

Andrew Symonds and Brad Haddin both made bright starts but could not curb their natural aggression and were both victims of outstanding slips catching.

Coming in the penultimate over of the day, Haddin's dismissal, for 40, was particularly bitter for the Australians, who had batted with tremendous application against the second new ball.

Record looms for Ntini
 

26 December, 2008

Makahya Ntini South African paceman Makahya Ntini has a habit of breaking records.

The 31-year-old, who was discovered herding cattle as a youngster in his home village of Mdingi in the Eastern Cape, is poised to leapfrog his hero Malcolm Marshall's record for most Test wickets when play resumes on day two of the second 3 Mobile Test at the MCG on Saturday.

After snaring the wicket of Matthew Hayden for the ninth time in his career, Ntini captured Brad Haddin's scalp late on the first day to draw level with the West Indian great on 376 wickets in 12th place on the all-time list.

"As a bowler if you equal your hero it makes a huge difference, and then at least it shows … that you are someone," Ntini said after the opening day's play.

"And then you become one of those heroes as well. Whoever comes behind you he has to pass your name. Those are the kinds of things you have to enjoy."

With the remainder of this Test and the third match in Sydney still to come, Ntini could move past England all-rounder Ian Botham (383) by the end of this series and set his sights on chasing Shaun Pollock (421), who is the leading South African wicket-taker of all time.

Ntini is no stranger to the headlines.

In 1998 he became the first black man to play Test cricket for his country and he was the first South African to take 10 wickets at Lord's in 2003.

Two years later, he smashed the West Indies in Trinidad in 2005 with 13-132 - the best-ever match figures by a Proteas bowler.

But controversy has never been far away. In 1999, just as his career seemed to be hitting its stride after being named in South Africa's 15-man squad for that year's World Cup, the then 22-year-old was charged and convicted of rape.

He strongly maintained his innocence and after the conviction was later overturned on appeal, Ntini returned to the national side with a renewed focus.

Now, as one of the world's leading strike bowlers, Ntini has his eyes on winning this Test and the series for South Africa, having helped reduce the hosts to 6-280 at stumps.

"We've done very well not to let them pass 300 in the first day," he said. "If you say to every team you can be in the same position as we are, you'd be very delighted."

Siddle rips through Proteas
 

27 December, 2008

Peter Siddle and Nathan Hauritz, Australia's two least experienced bowlers, justified selectors' faith in them on Saturday when they wrecked South Africa's middle order to turn the second Test at the MCG on its head.

The Proteas - who will resume on Sunday on 7-198, still trailing by 196 - will be forced to spend the hours leading into day three fending away demons many thought they had exorcised a week ago.

In contrast, the Australians will be buoyed after an excellent day in which their tail, led by an unbeaten 88 from Michael Clarke, again wagged to allow the home side to reach 394, and their bowlers turned in their best showing for many months.

After a torrid week in which Australia's attack was pilloried for lacking venom, Ricky Ponting's bowlers gave their critics a liberal serve of humble pie.

Leading the charge was a pair of third-gamers in Siddle and Hauritz.

Hauritz claimed two wickets, including the prized scalps of Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher, while Siddle removed the hapless Neil McKenzie and Perth centurions Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers in two high-class spells of pace bowling.

Siddle bowled with fire and, more importantly, control, finishing the day with figures of 3-24.

In what proved an inspired move by Ponting, Siddle was thrown the new ball by his captain in preference to Mitchell Johnson - Australia's best bowler in the first Test.

Encouraged by 42,814 fellow Victorians whose enthusiasm hit fever pitch later in the day, Siddle broke through in his opening over, bowling McKenzie after softening him up with several balls which fizzed off a good length.

But it was his second stint which roused his home crowd into a lather.

Relieving Johnson, who had removed Hashim Amla with the new ball for 19, Siddle delivered what could well be remembered as his coming-of-age spell.

He induced Smith, then the cornerstone of South Africa's innings, into driving a wide one and had the Proteas captain caught behind for 62 then bowled de Villiers with a ball that beat him for pace.

Not knowing he had rattled de Villiers' furniture, Siddle pleaded for an lbw only to be told by jubilant team-mates he had no need to appeal.

Hauritz, in contrast, relied on dip and subtle variation for his wickets.

He had Kallis tied down and was rewarded when the South African veteran played a false sweep shot and was caught behind with the final ball prior to tea.

Boucher was his second victim when he was beaten in the air and swept Hauritz straight to Michael Hussey at square leg.

Johnson, too, came to the party.

He ended Amla's innings with his first over of the game then bowled Morne Morkel for 21.

Dale Steyn grabbed 5-94 to be the only positive on a dismal day for the tourists.

Duminy stars to put SA in control
 

28 December, 2008

A maiden Test century to Jean-Paul Duminy and a record-breaking ninth-wicket partnership has seen South Africa snatch the ascendancy from Australia on a remarkable third day of the second Test at the MCG.

Duminy made a chanceless 166 while Dale Steyn, gifted three reprieves, made a career-best 76 to allow South Africa to reach 459 - a total which seemed fanciful at the start of the day.

Thankfully for the home side, Matthew Hayden, fighting for his career, and Simon Katich survived a testing two-over spell prior to stumps to push Australia to 0-4, a deficit of 61.

It took Australia, missing paceman Brett Lee all day due to a foot injury, until 20 minutes prior to stumps to claim the last of four wickets it needed to end South Africa's innings.

After a comeback not dissimilar to those led by VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in Kolkata in 2001 and Adelaide in 2003, the Proteas, who resumed on 7-198, are dreaming of a stunning victory just 24 hours after staring at a heavy defeat.

And they have second-gamer Duminy, Steyn - whose previous Test best was 33 - and some uncharacteristic poor fielding from the Australians to thank for the stunning turnaround.

Duminy had shared stands of 43 with Morne Morkel late on day two and added 67 with Paul Harris before uniting with Steyn.

The pair's epic 180-run stand was the highest ninth-wicket partnership in Tests between the two countries and the third-highest overall - only 15 short of the previous mark set by Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox in 1998.

Duminy, who last week kept the Australians at bay with a nerveless half-century on debut, was again a thorn in the side of Ricky Ponting's men.

Batting with the maturity of a veteran, Duminy, the last man out, stamped himself as a future Test star with an innings of pure class.

It was only late in his 448-minute stay when he was well into triple figures that the Australians found the edge of the 24-year-old's bat, though he momentarily lost rhythm after lunch when, with Steyn dominating strike, Nathan Hauritz kept him pinned.

But he pushed through that lull and, upon reaching the 90s, was handed a priceless five from four overthrows by the tiring Australian fieldsmen.

He recorded his century with a glorious cut shot and, after rubbing salt into the wounds by edging Mitchell Johnson for consecutive boundaries, posted his 150 with an exquisite on-drive which found the rope.

Despite batting with a maligned tail, Duminy's faith in his partners did not waver until he was joined by No.11 Makhaya Ntini, and they repaid him in spades.

Harris was the first to prosper, hitting a brisk 39 before the part-time medium pace of Michael Hussey brought his downfall.

That wicket fell at 11.12am and it was not until 4.20pm - when No.10 Steyn was eventually dismissed - that the Australians would huddle again in joy.


Steyn was spared on 32 by Ponting, who grassed a relatively simple chance at second slip from the bowling of Johnson, and a run later by Hussey, who failed to even lay a finger on a high ball after losing it in the sun.

Hauritz, the victim of the second chance, then had nobody to blame but himself when he failed to complete a return catch from Steyn on 57.

Three minutes shy of four hours at the crease, Steyn lost concentration, and his wicket, when he was bowled by Peter Siddle, the pick of Australia's bowlers with 4-81.

Duminy fell to a tired shot - caught by substitute fieldsman Shane Watson, whose bowling Ponting would dearly loved to have at his disposal - but not before adding another 28 with Ntini.

Lee may miss Sydney
 

28 December, 2008

Brett Lee is unlikely to play in the Sydney Test after scans showed he is on the verge of suffering stress fractures in his left foot but may bowl again in Melbourne.

Lee, who faces four to six weeks on the sidelines, did not take the field on the third day as Australia's inexperienced attack was plundered by the Proteas' tail after pulling up sore from play on Saturday.

Scans on Saturday night showed the 32-year-old was suffering a stress reaction in the fourth metatarsal bone in his left foot, but x-rays on Sunday revealed the bone was not broken.

It is not the first time Lee has injured his left foot. He missed Australia's World Cup success in 2007 in the Caribbean after injuring his left ankle in New Zealand in February.

The injury is another setback to Lee - who has series figures of 1-200 against South Africa and has taken only 21 wickets at 45.5 since the start of Australia's ill-fated series against India.

Team physio Alex Kountouris said it was 'inevitable' that Lee would require rest, possibly as soon as after the completion of the Test in Melbourne.

"I don't think he'll be able to play the Sydney Test. We'll wait and reassess at the end of the game," he said.

"If he's got what we think he's got and it's been confirmed by scans that he's got a stress fracture brewing we're going to rest him for a period of time to get it to settle."

But Kountouris said Lee will be given every chance to bowl in the second innings.

"Short-term future is we're going to try and get him to bowl in the second innings," Kountouris said.

"We're doing everything we can to settle it down, have one good go at it at the second innings."

"He might bowl one ball, he might bowl 10 overs or 15 overs and that's what we're looking at the moment for the game."

Kountouris said there was a risk Lee, who will not be given painkillers to see out the match, could end up breaking the bone should he bowl in the second innings.

"But in some people's opinion that might be a better scenario because the bone heals better," he said.

"If you have a tiny crack it can take a long time for it to heal. That's not what we're aiming for but there is a risk of that happening. Pain will guide us to where he is."


"There was so much pain he couldn't bowl today, he wouldn't bowl if he was in the same pain the second innings."

Should Lee not be fit to bowl again in the match, Australia will be left with only three frontline bowlers to dismiss South Africa a second time and level the series.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see whether he can bowl firstly. But no doubt losing Brett Lee out of your attack will certainly have an affect on your team," said Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke.

Proteas on verge of history
 

29 December, 2008

Ricky Ponting falls agonisingly short of his second century for the match South Africa was 153 runs from becoming the first touring team in 16 years to post a series victory in Australia after the home side, with the exception of Ricky Ponting, failed to fire at the MCG on Monday.

Ponting, who fell one run short of reaching a century in each innings of a Test for a fourth time in his career, played a solo hand while his team-mates, many of whom were unable to curb their attacking instincts, wilted on the fourth day.

Dale Steyn made another heroic contribution, taking his second five-wicket haul of the game - and his 150th Test scalp - to go with his invaluable 76 as the home side was dismissed for a mediocre 247.

Chasing 183 for victory and the keys to the fortress, the Proteas were 0-30 at stumps but should have lost the wicket of Neil McKenzie, who was bowled off a no-ball from Brett Lee.

That was a cruel blow for Lee, who is nursing an injured foot.

Unless Ponting's bowlers can rouse themselves off the canvas it seems rain will be Australia's only saviour.

If Mother Nature does not intervene, Ponting's men will become the first Australian team to suffer a series defeat at home since 1992-93 when the mighty West Indies willed itself to a come-from-behind victory.

That occasion also marked the last time Australia succumbed to back-to-back Test defeats at home.

A day after surrendering control of the match to Jean-Paul Duminy and the South African tail, Australia again endured a torrid time in the middle.

Only Ponting and, to a lesser extent Mitchell Johnson, who made an unbeaten 43, managed to hold the South African bowlers at bay for any length of time.

The 19,149 fans, desperately needing something to celebrate, were stunned as Ponting was heartbreakingly denied a second century in the game by Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith.

After not even coming close to offering a chance throughout his 257-minute stay, Ponting's eyes lit up at a wide ball from Morne Morkel but he succeeded only to slice a drive to Smith at short cover.

It ended a defiant innings punctuated by fluent drives and his trademark pulls.

Unfortunately, his dismissal continued a trend of questionable get-out shots by the hosts.

Only Michael Hussey and Andrew Symonds had cause to be spared a serve from coach Tim Nielsen.

Hussey, in his first form slump in his international career, was befuddled by a brutal bouncer from Morkel but deserved to live another day.

Replays showed the ball beat his bat and gloves, instead ballooning off his helmet to the on-side where Hashim Amla pouched a dolly.

Symonds was unable to negotiate a full-pitched ball from Steyn, edging into the safe hands of Kallis at second slip.

The other frontline batsmen had only themselves to blame, all falling to poor strokes.


Hayden failed to produce the innings his fans had been hoping, caught driving for 23 in a dismissal not dissimilar to that of his first innings.

Rather than grind his way back into form like he did in the fifth Test of the 2005 Ashes series when he was last under pressure to retain his place, Hayden went down swinging.

The formula proved unsuccessful and the opener, a shadow of the batsman at the start of 2008, must surely be low on credits in the bank.

Fellow opener Simon Katich, vice-captain Michael Clarke and in-form wicketkeeper Brad Haddin also lost their wickets driving at wide deliveries.

Unlike the first innings, the tail was unable to come to the rescue, though Johnson at least offered some resistance.

.

Watson injury blow
 

30 December, 2008

Shane Watson's horror injury run continued on Tuesday with the all-rounder diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back that will stop him from bowling for six months.

Tipped as a chance to play in the third Test in Sydney starting next week, the news is a cruel blow for Watson who has been plagued by a series of injuries over his career.

He is expected to resume batting in four to six weeks but will be unable to bowl until the middle of next year.

"Unfortunately I got diagnosed yesterday with stress fractures in my back. It's been over the last month my workload, especially during the Sheffield Shield games I played for Queensland, really spiked in my workload so that's an unfortunate indicator that if my back gets sore it could be stress fractures and that was confirmed yesterday. It's unfortunate but it's the way things go," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning.

"My back has been sore for the last three weeks. I knew something wasn't exactly right when bowling in the nets and my back was really sore. Unfortunately it's part and parcel of what I'm trying to do, building up my workload and bowling overs that I wanted to but unfortunately I just went over the edge a little bit too much."

Australia is already facing the prospect of being without paceman Brett Lee for the third Test with a foot injury, while Andrew Symonds has been hampered by a knee complaint.

Watson, who is 12th man in Melbourne, said he was eyeing a return to the Australian team by the 2009 Ashes series in England.

"Definitely, yeah. That's probably our best point in time from what I've been told already," he said.

"That's definitely my goal to be able to make sure I'm up and firing before the Ashes so that's my goal as an all-rounder."

It is not the first time Watson has suffered from stress fractures in his back, with a similar injury preventing him from playing in the 2003 World Cup.

The 27-year-old made his Test debut against Pakistan in Sydney in 2005 but has played just eight matches since, scoring 257 runs at an average of 19.76 and taking 14 wickets.

"When you get injured it's never a good time because at times there can be opportunities that are just about to come," Watson said.

"It's just unfortunately the way it goes. I've been really happy with the way things have progressed over the last 10 months to a year the way my game has been able to improve."

"I'm happy with the things that have been evolving and it's just another little setback but I'm going to be really excited when I'm back bowling and back playing full pelt."

Proteas close in on No.1 spot
 

30 December, 2008

Greame Smith South Africa is just one win away from officially being the new No.1 Test nation after sending Australia plummeting to its first series loss on home soil in 16 years with a nine-wicket victory in the second Test at the MCG on Tuesday.

On a pitch showing few of the gremlins expected on a fifth day, the Proteas - led by a fluent 75 from captain Greame Smith - overhauled Australia's modest target of 183 for the loss of only one wicket.

Hashim Amla, a man not burdened by scars from previous defeats to Australia, stroked the winning runs shortly after lunch as the Proteas became the first team to breach Australia's seemingly impenetrable fortress at home since the West Indies in 1992-93.

That was also the last occasion Australia lost back-to-back Tests at home.

The days of South Africa losing to Australia from any position appear gone. So too, it seems, Australia's 13-year reign at the top of world cricket.

In the past three months, Australia has suffered series defeats abroad and at home at the hands of the second- and third-ranked nations.

Another loss in Sydney would see Ricky Ponting's side officially unseated in the world rankings.

The Proteas were never under any trouble in their run chase. In fact, they did not even flirt with danger.

Needing a flurry of wickets early on the final day to have any hope of winning, Australia did not break through until 16 minutes before lunch when Smith was trapped in front by a Nathan Hauritz arm ball.

By then, Smith had dominated a 121-run opening stand with Neil McKenzie. Australia's death rites had well and truly been read.

It was a shame for Smith, with the pinnacle well within sight, that he could not be the one hoisting the South African flag at the top of cricket's equivalent to Mount Everest.

Throughout this tour, and again in this run chase, he has shown the leadership befitting a man who was made captain of his country at the tender age of 22.

He cashed in on Australia's all-out offence, striking seven of his 10 boundaries with cuts and deflections to a vacant third man region.

It was somewhat of a surprise Smith was the first man out as the captain had been untroubled, and his partner McKenzie appeared the most vulnerable of the pair.

While unconvincing, McKenzie - who had made scores of two, 10 and zero in his three most recent innings - rolled with the punches to eke out an unbeaten 59.


He survived strong lbw shouts from Brett Lee, who was bowling despite nursing an injured foot that is likely to keep him out of the Sydney Test, and Mitchell Johnson.

Poignantly, he reached his half-century with a boundary after being missed by another out-of-form opener Matthew Hayden at first slip off Johnson's bowling.

Team anounced for Sydney
 

30 December, 2008

Ricky Ponting Cricket Australia’s (CA) National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 12-man squad for the third 3 Mobile Test match against South Africa at the SCG.

The squad is:

Ricky Ponting (c): TAS, 34
Michael Clarke (vc): NSW, 27
Doug Bollinger: NSW, 27
Brad Haddin: NSW, 31
Matthew Hayden: QLD, 37
Nathan Hauritz: NSW, 27
Ben Hilfenhaus: TAS, 25
Michael Hussey: WA, 33
Mitchell Johnson: WA, 27
Simon Katich: NSW, 33
Andrew McDonald: VIC, 27
Peter Siddle: VIC, 24

Commenting on the squad, NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:

“Unfortunately Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson have been ruled out of the next Test match through injury. Brett and Shane’s injury may keep them out of the game for a while whereas Andrew Symonds will undergo knee surgery and hopefully his absence from the team will be short-lived.

“The National Selection Panel has introduced Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus to the squad. Both are having exceptional Sheffield Shield seasons and their ability to move the ball will add depth to the bowling attack, albeit that they have big shoes to fill in those of Brett Lee.

“Andrew McDonald has been a very consistent all-rounder for Victoria for several seasons. He is in very good form and as well as batting in the top six will give us the flexibility we need with our bowling attack.


“While we are obviously disappointed to lose the series to South Africa, the reality is we have got ourselves in very good positions to win both Test matches. It must be said that South Africa has played extremely good cricket and is a very strong side.

“While it’s a challenging time for Australian cricket we have seen lots of positive signs from our young players and we are looking forward to the process of rebuilding Australian cricket.”

Calls for Andrew Hilditch to axe himself over selection blunders
 

January 01, 2009

AUSTRALIA'S selectors have come under fire, with calls for heads to roll over the Andrew Symonds injury fiasco.

Former Test players Rodney Hogg, Darren Lehmann and John Benaud slammed the panel's handling of selections this summer.

"They are all over the place," Hogg said.

"Heads should roll (in the selection panel). They must have known Symonds was not fit in Melbourne and when he did not come on to bowl until after the 100-over mark (chairman of selectors) Andrew Hilditch must have felt like resigning.

"If Hilditch wasn't totally embarrassed by Symonds's selection in that Test match, then it's a joke. This side has not got Warne and McGrath. They need a fifth bowler."

Lehmann, president of the Australian Cricketers' Association, said Australia must ensure there is no repetition of the Symonds debacle where the all-rounder was chosen with a knee injury that will require surgery.

"That is a real issue the selectors have to get right," he said. "It just proves you have to pick people who are 100 percent fit for every Test match.

"The time has come for reality checks on which way we are going in Australian cricket regarding the selection process."

Lehmann had no issue with the retention of Matthew Hayden in the third Test side but said the 37-year-old might be best to retire from one-day cricket if he was to fulfil his goal of making the Ashes tour.

"If they want to get Matthew through to the Ashes, why don't they play him in Sheffield Shield games for the rest of the year instead of the one-dayers?" Lehmann said.

Lehmann and former Test selector Benaud, who said he would not have chosen Hayden for the Sydney Test, said Australia had made a blunder by playing defensive off-spinner Nathan Hauritz rather than the more attacking Jason Krejza.

"I can't believe they picked Hauritz in Melbourne. Why would you pick a defensive bowler in a Test you have to win? Krejza is a much better bowler, an attacking bowler. He is a ready-made international spin bowler," Benaud said.

Doug Bollinger has been preferred to Ben Hilfenhaus for third Test
 

January 02, 2009

PACE bowler Doug Bollinger has been named to make his Test debut on his home ground when Australia plays South Africa in the third Test at the SCG starting on Saturday.

All-rounder Andrew McDonald will be the other player putting on the famous baggy green cap for the first time while Tasmania quick Ben Hilfenhaus will carry the drinks for the hosts again.

Captain Ricky Ponting said Bollinger and McDonald will come in for injured pair Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds and the decision between Bollinger and Hilfenhaus came down largely to the game's location.

“That's probably a lot to do with his overall skills at the SCG,” said Ponting.

“He knows the conditions very well and will hopefully swing the new ball and late in the innings as well.”

Australia is trying to avoid its first series whitewash in over a century after the Proteas secured the series win with victories in Perth and Melbourne.

Australia
Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Andrew McDonald, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle 12th Man: Ben Hilfenhaus.

As has often been said in the past, "it is for some, more difficult to get out of the Australian side than it was to get into it in the first place". Matthew Hayden has been great and he is certainly capable of coming out and having a good innings or even two in this next Test BUT it was time for him to go. Give another batsman a "go" as part of a prudent re-building process. I know about making brave but prudent Test selections. For example, I brought Ian Redpath into my "backyard cricket" Test team long before the then Australian Test selectors gave him a chance in the early 1960s. Ronnie C next door thought I was mad but history proved me to be correct. I did, however, stick with Norm O'Neill through "thick and thin" but at least that was for good reason, I had a Norm O'Neill bat. Another example of foresight shown by me was bringing fast-medium pacer, Neil Hawke (RIP) into the Team. I liked his name. I also wasn't too proud/stubborn to borrow players from other nations. In my world, Australian citizenship was something that could be organised with a stroke of a pen. Rohan Kanhai was one my favourites. This sort of action is called "initiative". Not a lot needs to change in the Australian team to make them very competitive but an awful lot needs to change to again make them the dominant team in the world.

Australia is just suffering from not giving others a go at all when they were going through their true dominant stage, and always gining nsw guys a go over anyone else. GO SIDDLE AND MCDONALD!!

Hilfenhaus misses out again.

Proteas take opening day honours
 

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.

Proteas fight back after Clarke century
 

04 January, 2009

Nathin Hauritz South African skipper Graeme Smith was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected broken finger after a Michael Clarke century was negated by a fightback from the Proteas late on day two of the third 3 Mobile Test at the SCG.

In reply to Australia's challenging first innings total of 445, the visitors will enter day three 1-125 with Hashim Amla (30) and Jacques Kallis (36) to resume on a pitch showing signs of wear and tear.

Smith retired hurt on 30 after being stuck on the left hand by a Mitchell Johnson (0-27) delivery that reared nastily off a good length.

The problem centres on the knuckle area of the little finger. Smith was taken to hospital with his left hand heavily bandaged, later returning to watch the closing overs.

Also battling an elbow injury to his right arm, Smith is unlikely to take any further part in this Test.

Neil McKenzie, who laboured for nearly two hours, was the only wicket to fall in the South African innings, trapped lbw by Peter Siddle (1-21).

Clarke's ton – his first Test century on the SCG - underpinned Australia's large first innings total before a crowd of 30, 293.

His 142-run partnership with Johnson (64) swung the game Australia's way.

Resuming on 77, Clarke showed his intent from the opening ball, cracking Makhaya Ntini (1-102) through the covers for four.

He brought up his 10th Test century with a quick single before sprinting towards the members' stand with arms raised in triumph, seemingly oblivious that there was a third umpire's decision pending.

Clarke, who was dropped on 12 and 69, survived the close call and went to lunch with hopes of reaching 150.

But in his opening over Duminy enticed a return catch from the Australian vice-captain, who left his home ground to a standing ovation.

Clarke's purposeful knock – a mix of exquisite drives, intelligent running and rigid defence – contained 17 fours in a 373-minute stint at the crease.


Johnson, who was put down by Kallis on 18, clubbed 11 boundaries en route to his best score at Test level before being snapped up at first slip by Smith off Dale Steyn (3-95).

Siddle (23) and Nathan Hauritz (41) kept the momentum going, the former cracking seven fours in a rousing hand before his appreciative home crowd.

Hauritz was last man out – caught by Duminy off the bowling of Paul Harris (3-84) – just before tea.

Whoo! Peter Siddle only wicket of the day for Aus.

Siddle the destroyer
 

05 January, 2009

A maiden five-wicket haul to paceman Peter Siddle has seen Australia finish day three of the third 3 Mobile Test on top despite the best efforts of Mark Boucher who rescued the South African innings with a well-made 89.

Siddle, who finished with the impressive figures of 5-59, took just 22 deliveries to capture the final four wickets and restrict the Proteas to 327.

Boucher arrived at the crease with the Proteas in trouble at 4-166 but put his head down to grind out a patient 265 minute innings before Siddle sent his stumps sprawling to secure his first Test five-for.

The veteran Proteas gloveman shared in a 115-run partnership with Morne Morkel (40) to frustrate the home side before the Victorian changed the course of the match with his inspired spell.

Having captured Morkel, Siddle removed Paul Harris (two) and Dale Steyn (six) in quick succession before capturing the free-swinging Boucher.

Australian openers Matthew Hayden (18) and Simon Katich (9) survived a nervous six-over period before stumps progressing to 0-33 - a lead of 151.

JP Duminy (11) was the only batsmen out in the middle session, given out lbw after playing back and being caught on the crease by Mitchell Johnson (2-69).

While Morkel rode his luck – playing and missing at a number of deliveries – Boucher also enjoyed some good fortune.


On 27 he played a ball from Nathan Hauritz (0-68) onto his stumps only for the bails to stay rigid in their grooves.

Lion-hearted paceman Doug Bollinger (0-78) bowled without luck in search of his first Test wicket, having strong lbw appeals against Duminy and Morkel turned down by umpire Billy Bowden.

Before lunch Mitchell Johnson struck with the ball and in the field to leave South Africa in trouble.

Johnson shifted dangerman Jacques Kallis (37), caught at first slip by Hayden, then ran out AB de Villiers (11) with a brilliant piece of fielding.

Debutant Andrew McDonald (1-41 from 22 overs) chipped in with his first Test wicket – removing Hashim Amla (51) lbw – as the Proteas' strong overnight position (1-125) quickly eroded.

The first session yielded just 51 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Kallis added one to his overnight tally before driving at Johnson and edging a comfortable catch to Hayden.

Amla passed the half-century mark but was then involved in an unnecessary run out with de Villiers.

Pushing a quick single to Johnson at mid on, Amla called for a run but watched in horror as de Villiers moved slowly out of his crease and was beaten by a direct hit at the keeper's end.

McDonald, who had done an excellent job strangling the South African top order, then trapped Amla with one that nipped back to leave the Proteas in a deep hole at 4-166 before Boucher and Morkel combined.

South African skipper Graeme Smith is unlikely to play any further part in the match after suffering a hand injury on day two.

Proteas need 314 more
 

06 January, 2009

Doug Bollinger South Africa will enter the final day of the third 3 Mobile Test against Australia needing a further 314 runs to pull off an improbable win.

Set an imposing victory target of 376 from a minimum 116 overs, the Proteas are 1-62 at stumps on day four.

Stand-in skipper Neil McKenzie (25) and Hashim Amla (30) will resume the fight for a history-making last-day win – and series clean sweep – with at least 90 overs to be bowled.

Past run chases at the SCG suggest victory will elude the Proteas on a wearing wicket.

Australia's fourth innings total of 2-288 in the 2005/06 season against South Africa is the highest winning total in a Sydney Test.

The tourists' task is made more difficult by the absence of skipper Graeme Smith who is nursing a broken finger and troublesome left elbow and is highly unlikely to take any further part in proceedings.

After Australia declared its seconds innings closed at 4-257, Doug Bollinger (1-11) made the early breakthrough, picking up his first Test wicket after makeshift opener Morne Morkel (0) chipped a catch to Mitchell Johnson at mid on.

Amla survived a close call on five, edging Peter Siddle (0-16) past a late diving Brad Haddin.

Ricky Ponting closed his side's innings after Michael Clarke (41) was caught in the deep going after quick runs.

Michael Hussey remained not out on 45.

Australia resumed on day four at 0-33 with Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich at the crease.

Hayden (39) dragged Morne Morkel (2-38) on to his stumps after working hard in an attempt to build his first substantial score of the summer.

He belted seven fours in a 63-ball stay that produced just as much sweat as substance.

The 37-year-old was given a rousing send-off by the SCG crowd.

Ricky Ponting (53) almost collected a golden pair after leaving the first ball he faced only for it to catch the inside edge of his bat, narrowly missing the stumps and going down to the boundary for four.


The Australian skipper's innings then flourished as he raced to a half-century at almost a run-a-ball rate.

It came as a surprise when he played on to Morkel attempting a cut shot.

There was also plenty of surprise when Simon Katich (61) was given out lbw to Dale Steyn (1-60), with only wicket-keeper Mark Boucher seemingly interested in an appeal.

Clarke and Hussey then combined for a fourth wicket partnership of 76 that has helped place Australia in the box seat to win for the first time this series.

Aussies get out of jail
 

07 January, 2009

Australian players celebrate Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson has bowled South African skipper Graeme Smith with 10 balls to spare as Australia escaped with a thrilling victory in a remarkable 3 Mobile Test at the SCG.

The courageous Smith (three), coming it at No.11 with a broken left hand and injured right elbow, and tailender Makhaya Ntini (28) held Australia up for 29 minutes and appeared likely to escape with an against the odds draw.

But Johnson – Australia's best bowler all series – struck at 5.34pm before being swamped by delirious and relieved team-mates.

Chasing an improbable 376 for victory, the Proteas were all out for 272.

The hosts won the match by 103 runs, with paceman Peter Siddle (match figures of 8-113) named man-of-the-match.

Smith (326 runs at 65.2) was named man-of-the-series.

The Proteas took the series 2-1 but Australia will remain top of the International Cricket Council's Test rankings.

In a dramatic final hour of an enthralling match, Ntini was dropped twice on 16 but held on to play the innings of his life.

Dale Steyn (28) and Ntini had earlier frustrated Australia's push for victory with a ninth-wicket partnership of 50 before Andrew McDonald (2-32) trapped Steyn lbw.

That opened the way for the courageous Smith to make his entry with 7.2 overs left.

Hayden dropped Ntini off Doug Bollinger (2-53) in the next over as Australia's chances of victory appeared to be evaporating.


But in a series containing plenty of unexpected turns, Johnson produced the final twist as the noisy last-day crowd of 9075 went into raptures.

South Africa entered the final day needing a further 314 runs to pull off an improbable win - and a series clean sweep - having progressed to 1-62 at stumps on day four.

But any hope of an unlikely victory disappeared when the tourists lost Neil McKenzie (27), Jacques Kallis (four) and Hashim Amla (59) in the opening session.

AB de Villiers (56), JP Duminy (16) and Mark Boucher (four) fell after lunch and it appeared the home side was coasting to a comfortable victory.

Steyn, Ntini and Smith had other ideas, ensuring a tremendous series finished on an appropriately dramatic note.

Australia v South Africa, 1st Twenty20 international, Melbourne
 

Teams start afresh after tough Tests
January 10, 2009

Match facts
South Africa want Herschelle Gibbs in their plans for the next few years and this will be his first outing since completing an alcohol rehabilitation programme

Sunday, January 11
Start time 7.35pm (08:35 GMT)


The Big Picture

Can anything really live up to the Test series we've just witnessed between these two teams? Probably not. But the world's two top-ranked limited-overs sides going head to head in a Twenty20 match in front of a likely crowd of more than 75,000 at the MCG should be a terrific spectacle in any case. Australia will be desperate for some strong performances to ease the pressure after losing their first home Test series in 16 years. South Africa have declared that they are treating this portion of their trip as a separate tour. Both teams are taking the opportunity to trial some fresh talent.


Twenty20 form guide

Australia - LWWLL


South Africa - WWLWL



Team news

Australia have rested Brad Haddin due to his heavy workload in the past month and Luke Ronchi will take up the position behind the stumps. Ronchi was excellent with both bat and gloves in the West Indies this year but his domestic batting form has been down this summer and a lower-order position is likely. Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson have also been given time off. Australia's major decision is which bowlers to include. They will be keen to get some overs into Shaun Tait, while Nathan Hauritz might miss out on the spin position due to Cameron White's batting ability.

Australia (possible) 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 David Warner, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 David Hussey, 6 Cameron White, 7 James Hopes, 8 Luke Ronchi (wk), 9 Ryan Harris/Ben Hilfenhaus, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Shaun Tait.

South Africa have named their starting line-up and there is no Hashim Amla, Neil McKenzie or Morne Morkel. Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Vaughn van Jaarsveld are set to make their international debuts, while all eyes will also be on Herschelle Gibbs in his return to the national side.

South Africa 1 Herschelle Gibbs, 2 Jacques Kallis, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 JP Duminy, 5 Vaughn van Jaarsveld, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Johan Botha (capt), 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Makhaya Ntini, 11 Lonwabo Tsostobe.


Watch out for ...

David Warner was the bolter in Australia's squad. At 22 and having not yet made his first-class debut, Warner was picked on the strength of a couple of brilliant limited-overs performances for New South Wales. He made a state record unbeaten 165 in from 112 balls against Tasmania and followed it a week later with 97 from 54 balls - narrowly missing the fastest one-day hundred in Australian domestic history - against the same opponents in Hobart. He will be especially fascinating to watch if he uses the double-sided bat he has trialled this season; it allows him to play the reverse-sweep without changing his grip.

Herschelle Gibbs turns 35 next month but South Africa view him as an important part of their campaign for the 2011 World Cup. Those plans were derailed slightly in November when Gibbs was demoted from the national setup after breaking a team curfew. A month-long alcohol rehabilitation programme was the result and this will be Gibbs' first appearance since the incident. The coach Mickey Arthur has told Gibbs he expects him to lead from the front as the senior man in the top order; it will be interesting to see how he responds.


Pitch & conditions

The MCG's drop-in pitches have not been easy to score on in recent years. The surfaces are often two-paced and in limited-overs formats bowlers have had more reason to cheer than usual.


Stats and trivia

The teams have met in two Twenty20 internationals for one win each.
The MCG has hosted only one Twenty20 international and the 74 made by India last year was the lowest innings total ever recorded by a Test-playing nation in the format.
Australia have never been beaten in a Twenty20 match at home
This is only the second Twenty20 match South Africa have played outside their own country


Quotes

"We're expecting a huge backlash from them in this series and they have to start as favourites. There's no doubt about that."
South Africa's coach Mickey Arthur

"It's just about, I guess, starting the series well and that starts here with the Twenty20. The big thing is we've got some young blokes who add something different."
Australia's fast bowler Nathan Bracken

Warner handed debut
 

11 January, 2009

David Warner Emerging New South Wales talent David Warner will make his Australian debut on Sunday night after coach Tim Nielsen confirmed he would play in the KFC Twenty20 international against South Africa at the MCG.

Twenty-nine-year-old Queenslander Ryan Harris and Warner's Blues team-mate Nathan Hauritz were both left out of the XI.

The swashbuckling Warner, who has clubbed 101 runs off just 62 balls in three KFC Big Bash matches at a strike rate of 162.90, will join a host of fresh faces in the national team and Nielsen admitted he was energised by the prospect of seeing players who are foreign to the Test arena wearing the green and gold.

"To see the likes of Warner and (Shaun) Marsh back in the squad, or in the squad for the first time, and (Luke) Ronchi having a run around (and Ben) Hilfenhaus there is going to be really exciting for us," he said on Sunday morning outside the team hotel in Southbank.

After nine Test matches in just 11 weeks, Nielsen is also anticipating the dramatic change of pace that the Twenty20 clash will bring in front of what is expected to be a crowd of nearly 80,000.

The highly-anticipated encounter will be another date in what has been an intense international workload for Australia since the start of October.

"I think we're playing a lot of cricket at the moment because in the past there's been series that have been cancelled or had to have been delayed," Nielsen explained.

"We're in a busy part of our future tours program, we have a couple of years every now and then where it's quieter, we're going into a very busy period."

"South Africa have just come off the back of that period for them so it's something we need to be aware of and we need to manage our players' programs accordingly."


One such player Nielsen said would need to be managed is captain Ricky Ponting who will lead Australia in a Twenty20 international in Melbourne for the first time.

"Coming up we play both the one-day series against South Africa and New Zealand and then the next day, after a Twenty20 game (against the Black Caps), we take off to South Africa for the Test series," he said.

"We'll certainly be aware of how much work our players are doing and trying to give them a bit of a rest at some stage mainly to ensure we don't take them to high injury-risk periods."

Australian team: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Nathan Bracken, Luke Ronchi, Shaun Marsh, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Cameron White. 12th man: Ryan Harris or Nathan Hauritz.

Warner leads Aussies to victory
 

11 January, 2009

Debutant David Warner clubbed the second fastest Twenty20 international half-century ever as a new-look Australia defeated South Africa by 52 runs at the MCG on Sunday night.

Warner, who is yet to make his first-class debut, had the 62,148 fans in frenzy, smashing 89 off only 43 balls and rewriting several chapters of the history book.

He spearheaded Australia's charge to 9-182 before the Proteas, aided by 78 from 48 balls from the unflappable Jean-Paul Duminy, were dismissed for 130.

The Proteas were not in the hunt after losing wickets in each of their opening three overs as Australia bounced back from its Test series defeat earlier this summer.

But it was Warner, just the third Australian in 158 years to represent his country before making his first-class debut, who stole the show with his man-of-the-match performance.

Plucked from obscurity after several equally electrifying innings for New South Wales in limited overs cricket, Warner has suddenly become the cult hero of Australian cricket.

In just over an hour of power, Warner smashed six sixes and seven fours to be the owner of the equal fifth highest Twenty20 international score and third best by an Australian, and the sixth fastest international half-century in all forms of the game.

Only Yuvraj Singh has hit a faster half-century in Twenty20 internationals than Warner, reaching the mark off 12 balls against England in Durban in 2007.

Warner's heroics enabled Australia to set a challenging run chase despite losing 7-42 in the final 38 balls.

Not only did he upstage several of his more decorated team-mates, including Test captain Ricky Ponting, Warner showed no respect at all for several members of the Proteas attack.

Test stars Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn were all in the destructive path of Cyclone Warner.

Warner showcased a high-voltage blend of traditional and unorthodox shots and, of course, a slice of luck.

His square cut off Kallis which beat gully and point was straight from the text book, while his six off Steyn's bowling, which roared some 25 rows into the stands, lifted him past 50.

He was fortunate edges flew through a vacant slip and gully area but was otherwise unthreatened.

But the Australians, who reached their 100 in the 10th over, lost momentum following Warner's dismissal in the 14th over.

Steyn was again Australia's nemesis, claiming 3-38, including the wickets of Luke Ronchi and James Hopes.

Duminy lifted the Proteas from a dire position at 3-12 after three overs with an innings which, if not for Warner's earlier in the night, would have wowed the fans.

He slashed nine fours and one six - an outrageous scoop above the wicketkeeper off Shaun Tait's bowling - but could not rescue the visitors.


His dismissal, lbw trying to reverse sweep David Hussey, all but ended the Proteas' bid for victory.

Tait, in his first match for Australia in nearly a year, bowled with extreme pace and fire.

AB de Villiers felt Tait's wrath when he fell onto his wickets after being struck on the hip.

He has a 'badly bruised hip' and struggled onto his feet after his dismissal.

Australia v South Africa, 2nd Twenty20 international, Brisbane
 

South Africa ring in the changes for Brisbane

January 12, 2009

Match facts

Wayne Parnell has risen quickly and will make his senior debut for South Africa at the Gabba



Tuesday, January 13
Start time 6.35pm (08:35 GMT)


The Big Picture

South Africa were over-powered by the rookie opener David Warner during the first clash and have one game to find some more consistent form ahead of the five-match CB Series, which starts in Melbourne on Friday. The Warner experiment was an instant success for Australia, with him pounding 89 off 43 balls, while the local bowlers also contributed in the 52-run triumph. JP Duminy (78) was the only one to pass 12 for South Africa, who will start as under-dogs at the Gabba. A crowd of about 38,000 is expected, and if it is achieved it will mean approximately 100,000 people have watched the opening stages of Australia's limited-overs season.


Twenty20 form guide

Australia - WLWWL
South Africa - LWWLW



Team news

South Africa have called for three changes and there may be a fourth if AB de Villiers doesn't recover from a painful hip injury. de Villiers, who is undergoing physio on the servere bruising, under-edged while trying to pull a 155.6kph delivery from Shaun Tait and the pain of the blow caused him to double over, with the bat hitting the stumps. Wayne Parnell, the left-arm medium-fast bowler, replaces Lonwabo Tsostobe, Morne Morkel comes in for Makhaya Ntini and Hashim Amla allows Jacques Kallis to have a rest. Parnell, who is capable of swinging the ball, is an uncapped 19-year-old and was the leading wicket-taker in last year's Under-19 World Cup.

South Africa 1 Herschelle Gibbs, 2 Hashim Amla, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 JP Duminy, 5 Vaughn van Jaarsveld, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Johan Botha (capt), 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Wayne Parnell.

Australia are carrying a 13-man squad and the only two who weren't used in Melbourne were the allrounder Ryan Harris and Nathan Hauritz, the offspinner. It's unlikely Hauritz will be called, but Harris, who is an adopted Queenslander, may win a start ahead of Cameron White.

Australia (probable) 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 David Warner, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 David Hussey, 6 James Hopes, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Ryan Harris, 9 Nathan Bracken, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Shaun Tait.


Watch out for ...

Shaun Tait was fierce in his first international engagement for a year, upsetting the South Africans with his speed, bounce and fire. Kallis was hit on the shoulder first ball before de Villiers' dismissal, and Tait came back at the end to finish the game by bowling Tsotsobe. The upshot was 2 for 36 off four overs from a brutal, unpredictable and injury-prone fast man.

Dale Steyn experienced some unusual pain in Melbourne, with Warner greeting him with consecutive sixes from the first balls he faced, but recovered to capture 3 for 38. Expect some more flames from South Africa's attack leader, especially on a traditionally bouncy surface at the Gabba. It's unlikely Australia's batsmen will be able to repeat Warner's early treatment this time.


Pitch & conditions

The Gabba wicket block is in excellent shape, offering true bounce and excellent carry. If there is cloud cover and humidity the bowlers, who will need to use all available help, should gain useful swing. A morning shower is expected, but the wet weather is not predicted to stay around for the evening.


Stats and trivia

South Africa have only batted out their 20 overs once against Australia in Twenty20s, and it was the only game they won
Ricky Ponting needs two runs to overtake Andrew Symonds (337) as Australia's leading run-maker in Twenty20
Australia won the previous match between these teams in Brisbane by 95 runs


Quotes

"I don't mind the Gabba, it's short straight, so it's in my zone. If anything is there I will play my natural game."
David Warner

"Since I have arrived you could see he's really focused. He is very confident from his three Test matches and he just seems so calm."
Johan Botha on JP Duminy

Hussey guides Aussies home
 

13 January, 2009

Mike Hussey A bumper crowd of 37, 457 has witnessed Australia take a 2-0 clean sweep of the KFC Twenty20 international series with a gritty six-wicket win over the Proteas at the Gabba on Tuesday night.

A maiden Twenty20 half-century from Mike Hussey, who was handed a life when on two courtesy of a missed stumping by South African keeper Mark Boucher, saw the hosts overhaul South Africa's total of 5-157 with seven deliveries left.

Hussey joined skipper Ricky Ponting at the crease with their side precariously placed at 2-29 in the seventh over and proceed to slam five boundaries and one booming six in a gutsy unbeaten knock of 53 runs from 32 balls.

Ponting (38) and Hussey put on 61 runs, but just as they looked to be taking control of the match, Morne Morkel struck twice for the visitors in the 13th over.

Morkel found Ponting short of his ground with a skilful piece of fielding from his own bowling before JP Duminy held onto a spectacular catch in the deep to see David Hussey out for two.

Four overs later Duminy turned from hero to villain for the visitors, misjudging a catch in the deep when slugger Cameron White was on nine.

It was the first of four consecutive boundaries from White as Australia jumped into the box seat, requiring 17 runs from the final three overs.

From there the hosts eased towards their target, with White dispatching Morkel for a huge six to bring up the required runs and move his personal score to an impressive 40 runs off 18 balls.

Earlier Duminy's second half-century in as many games played a lone hand propping up the Proteas total of 5-157.

Promoted to No.3 in the absence of AB de Villiers and fresh from a sparkling 78 at the MCG, Duminy continued his one-man show with a gutsy knock of 69 off 41 balls that featured seven boundaries and two sixes.

But Duminy received little support, with Hashim Amla (26), Mark Boucher (19) and Albie Morkel (19) the only other men to make it into double figures for the visitors.

In reply, David Warner, fresh from cracking 89 runs off only 43 balls on Sunday night at the MCG, could not repeat his clean-striking heroics in Brisbane, clean bowled by Dale Steyn for seven in the fifth over.

Opening partner Shaun Marsh (15) joined him in the change rooms soon after when, shooting for a six, he gave South African skipper Johan Botha a tough catch at mid-on.


Ponting and Hussey initially struggled to keep the runs flowing and at the halfway point of the Australian innings, they had reached 2-56 and required a challenging 10.2 runs an over off the final ten.

Ponting went but Hussey proved up to the task as he and White put on an unbeaten 69 for the fifth wicket..

Hayden pulls up stumps
 

13 January, 2009

Matthew Hayden Australian opener Matthew Hayden has this morning announced his retirement from international cricket.

Awarded the 359th Baggy Green Cap for Australia, he played 103 Tests scoring 8625 runs at an average of 50.73, after making his Test debut back in March 1994, coincidentally also against South Africa.

He made his one-day international debut a year earlier against England in May 1993 and went on to play 161 one-day internationals scoring 6133 runs at an average of 43.80.

The 188cm and 95kg left-hander has since been a thorn in the side of most pace bowling attacks with his powerful hitting intimidating bowlers around the world.

After joining Justin Langer at the top of the order in 2001, the pair became arguably Australia’s best ever opening combination that regularly dismantled the world’s best bowling attacks.


The Queenslander has also racked up a host of personal awards to go with his team achievements such as the 2002 Allan Border Medal and Test Player of the Year, 2003 Wisden Cricketer of the Year, ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2007.

Just last year Hayden was named Australian ODI Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal following a fantastic year that saw him dictate Australia’s path to a third consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup with 659 runs at 73.22. This included a 66-ball century against South Africa which is the fastest century in World Cup history, earning him the Key to St Kitts.

Matthew Hayden quick stats:

Tests
Debut: 4 March 1994 against South Africa at Johannesburg
Test Cap 359
103 Tests
8625 runs at 50.73, HS of 380 against Zimbabwe

ODI
Debut: 19 March 1993 against England at Manchester
ODI Cap 111
161 matches
6133 runs at 43.80, HS of 181* against New Zealand

Thumbs up for Michael Clarke as he proves fit for South Africa clash
 

January 15, 2009

AUSTRALIA batsman Michael Clarke has passed a fitness test and will play against South Africa in Friday's first one-day international match at the MCG.

Clarke passed a fitness test on his injured right thumb at training on Thursday, including a couple of net sessions, after missing the two Twenty20 matches.

"He'll be fine to play," captain Ricky Ponting said.

"He completed all his training well today, he's still got a fair bit of discomfort in his thumb but he's had since the first Test match (in December) and got through pretty well.

"So it's a good sign for us that he's fit for selection."

Clarke's inclusion means young gun David Warner has been released from the Australian squad, and that he can play for NSW against Victoria in Saturday night's Twenty20 match in Sydney.

Australia are yet to finalise their XI and will decide on Friday whether to include specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz or play another all-rounder.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will also return after a rest, and Queensland all-rounder Ryan Harris is the only member of the squad ruled out at this point.

Friday's match will provide a good gauge on the public's attitude towards the 50-over game, given the popularity of the Twenty20 matches at the MCG and Gabba.

But Ponting was certain the 50-over game was still relevant.

"I've got no concerns about the 50-over game," he said.

"We understand how big Twenty20 has been for the last couple of years now and how exciting it is for the public and for players.

"But that's behind us now, we've got to focus on the (one-day) series starting tomorrow.

"We've played some good cricket over the last week in the Twenty20 stuff, the energy and enthusiasm of some of the young guys around our squad has been terrific.

"We've got a very flexible squad, a lot of versatility around the group at the moment, which is a massive bonus for 50-over cricket.

"So everything's heading in the right direction as far as our 50-over cricket is concerned, and hopefully we can start the series off on the right note tomorrow."

Aussies win toss, bat
 

16 January, 2009

Australia players rejoice after a wicket Australian captain Ricky Ponting has won the toss and elected to bat in the opening Commonwealth Bank Series one-day international against South Africa at the MCG.

In a blow for the Proteas, star batsman AB de Villiers was unable to recover in time for the match after receiving a nasty blow on his hip from a Shaun Tait thunderbolt during Sunday's Twenty20 international in Melbourne.

South Africa has decided to go into the match without veteran paceman Makhaya Ntini.


For the hosts, Michael Clarke has been confirmed to take his place in the starting XI after proving his troublesome thumb is up to the task.

Mike Hussey has been promoted up the order to open the batting with fellow Western Australian Shaun Marsh.

Australia has never beaten South Africa at the MCG in five attempts.

Australian line-up: Ricky Ponting (c), Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), James Hopes, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, Shaun Tait.

South Africa: Johan Botha (c), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, JP Duminy, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher (wk), Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn.