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 | |  Wednesday, 2 January, 2002, 07:28 GMT Openers on song for Australia  Langer secured his fifth Test century Third Test, Sydney, day one Australia 308-5 v South Africa Australia's Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden earned a place in history as they both hit centuries in the third Test against South Africa. The pair clocked up a double-century opening stand on the first day to become statistically their country's greatest opening batting pair. But the tourists rallied in the final session, capturing five wickets for 93 runs to leave the home side on 308-5 at the close of play.
Earlier, Langer (126) scored his fifth century in seven Tests and 12th overall, and in addition, became the first Australian batsman since former captain Mark Taylor in 1989-90 to score four tons in a season. Hayden (105) scored his third in successive Tests and fourth overall in a first-wicket stand of 219 at at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Their partnership makes them the first Australian opening pair to clock up four double-century stands. Their latest 200-partnership came up in 220 minutes off 56 overs, although both players were dropped. MacGill recalled Hayden was put down by Boeta Dippenaar at square leg off spinner Claude Henderson after making 68 while Langer was dropped by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off left-arm spinner Nicky Boje when on 102. South Africa captain Shaun Pollock broke the opening partnership by dismissing Hayden and Ricky Ponting lasted 28 minutes before being run out by Justin Ontong. Then Boje, who was rushed back from injury to play in the Test, got his revenge on Langer by having the opener caught at bat-pad by Neil McKenzie. Pollock then ended a dangerous 49-run partnership between the Waugh brothers by bowling Australia captain Steve, before Donald dismissed Mark late in the day. South Africa made the surprise choice of awarding off-spinning all-rounder Ontong his first cap instead of Jacques Rudolph to replace the departed Lance Klusener. Australia, who have already won the three-match series 2-0, picked Stuart MacGill to play alongside fellow leg-spinner Shane Warne in a Test for the first time in three years, at the expense of Andy Bichel. Australia: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh (capt), Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill. Andy Bichel (12th man). South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Neil McKenzie, Justin Ontong, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (captain), Nicky Boje, Claude Henderson, Allan Donald. Steve Elworthy (12th man). Umpires: David Shepherd (Eng), Daryl Harper (Aus) | |
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