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 | | You are in: You are in: Cricket: Australia v South Africa |
 | |  Wednesday, 26 December, 2001, 07:56 GMT McGrath dampens SA's day  Steve Waugh leads his players off as rain hits the MCG Second Test, Melbourne, Day One: Australia v South Africa 89-3 at close of play (40 overs) South Africa reached 89 for three on a rain-affected first day of the second Test against Australia. Jacques Kallis, who was dropped on six, was 22 not out while partner Neil McKenzie was unbeaten on 14 at stumps. Less than three hours play was possible during the day, which saw just 40 overs bowled. But Australia's attack was on lethal form during that short time and rarely allowed the South African batsmen to settle.
Glenn McGrath was the pick of the bowlers, taking two for 28 with fellow paceman Brett Lee finishing the day with figures of one for 38. McGrath removed openers Herschelle Gibbs for 14, caught at third slip by Ricky Ponting, and Gary Kirsten for 10 after he played on. Lee took the wicket of Boeta Dippenaar for 26 when Matthew Hayden took a brilliant diving catch in the gully. Morning rain meant play started 50 minutes late and Gibbs and Gary Kirsten survived 11 overs before lunch. Following the break, just 14 balls were bowled, which saw South Africa progress to 22 without loss, before the rain returned and the players were forced from the field. Squall After that delay, only nine balls were possible before a squall swept in over the ground, but it was enough for McGrath to take the first wicket of the day, dismissing the in-form Gibbs. That immediately got the massive crowd at the MCG scenting blood, and McGrath and Lee responded by taking one more wicket each to leave South Africa in a precarious position. Lee took the new ball with Glenn McGrath in the absence of Jason Gillespie who was ruled out by a shoulder injury. Andy Bichel took Gillespie's place in the Australian XI to feature in his first Test for exactly a year. Donald risked South Africa gambled on veteran fast bowler Allan Donald, who replaced Makhaya Ntini from the side beaten by 246 runs in the first Test. The tourists are 1-0 down in the series, going into this Test, the second match of three. A series win or a draw will promote Shaun Pollock's side to the top team among the 10 Test nations, replacing Australia. Australia: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh (captain), Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Andy Bichel, Glenn McGrath. South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Boeta Dippenaar, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (captain), Claude Henderson, Nantie Hayward, Allan Donald. Umpires: Eddie Nichols, West Indies, and Darrell Hair, Australia. Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle, Sri Lanka. | |
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