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 | |  Thursday, 27 December, 2001, 12:14 GMT 'Lucky' Bichel reaps reward  Bichel appeals for the wicket of Jacques Kallis Andy Bichel, Australia's leading light on day two of the second Test, admitted luck was on his side when he grabbed the first of his three South African wickets. When Bichel struck to remove dangerman Jacques Kallis for 38, it put them, and the 31-year-old Queenslander, on course for another good day at the MCG. Kallis made no contact with the ball, but he was given out caught behind. Bichel took five wickets in the West Indies' first innings in the Melbourne Test a year ago. But he had to wait 12 months exactly before getting his next Test appearance, and he has certianly made up for lost time already. Click here for scorecard after day two: Australia 141 behind, 10 wickets in hand His three wickets, one catch and a run out have done much to put Australia in the box seat here. When Kallis was removed, his was the first wicket of the second day, and it ended South Africa's biggest stand of the innings - 72 between him and Neil McKenzie for the fourth wicket. Bichel said: "From front on, it looks pretty good, but from behind it looks not as good. But it was the umpire's decision. Obviously everyone's seen the replay, and I was lucky."
Kallis was given out by umpire Eddie Nicholls in the 20th over of the day. Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist initially showed no interest in the appeal, throwing the ball casually to slip. But Kallis had to go, and Bichel immediately struck again, taking a stunning one-handed return catch to dismiss all-rounder Lance Klusener for a duck. "There's no doubt the caught and bowled was more of a defensive ploy than trying to catch it. It just managed to stick," Bichel said. He went on: "I enjoyed it today. Justin and Matty (openers Langer and Hayden) have put us in a good position, now we've got to capitalise on that. "In the first session tomorrow we've a tough job ahead of us. We have got to make sure we are on our game but if we build on where we are today we can only be in a better position." Bichel could play in the final Test at the SCG in the New Year, with Jason GIllespie's injury continuing. But Australia may drop him for the leg-spinner Stuart MacGill. It's tough when you're the best side in the world. | |
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