|
 |
 | | You are in: You are in: Cricket: Australia v South Africa |
 | |  Friday, 4 January, 2002, 07:23 GMT South Africa launch rearguard action  Gary Kirsten plays a sweep shot Third Test, Sydney, day three: Australia 1st innings 554; South Africa 154 & 209-2 (at close) Gary Kirsten and Boeta Dippenaar restored South Africa's self respect as the tourists battled to avoid a series whitewash. The pair shared a stand of 149 for the second wicket after their side had been bowled out in just 62.2 overs in their first innings and forced to follow-on for only the third time in 92 Tests. Kirsten was unbeaten on 82 at the close of play, but leg-spinner Stuart MacGill struck a vital blow for Australia when he had Dippenaar caught by Ricky Ponting for 74. South Africa began the day on 93 for four and only succeeded in adding 61 for their last six wickets, 35 of them scored by vice-captain Mark Boucher. Counter attack After the collapse of their first innings, Dippenaar and Kirsten responded with only South Africa's second century partnership of the series.
They came together after Herschelle Gibbs was bowled by Brett Lee for 10. Dippenaar was the more aggressive, taking just 51 balls to reach his half century, including 11 boundaries. He was 66 not out at tea, and hit three more fours following the resumption before becoming MacGill's fourth victim of the match. Kirsten kept the Australian attack at bay for the remaining 20 overs, aided by Jacques Kallis, who was unbeaten on 32 at the close. But Australia remain favourites to secure a 3-0 clean sweep and chalk up their 24th win under Steve Waugh's captaincy. Contentious decision The morning session proved a big let-down for South Africa, with Neil McKenzie bowled by the third ball of the day from Shane Warne for 20. He was followed fie runs later by Justin Ontong, the youngster at the centre of a selection controversy on the opening day. Ontong's 22nd birthday was spoiled when he was given out lbw for nine by English umpire David Shepherd, with Tv replays showing that the ball may have missed leg stump. Glenn McGrath removed South African skipper Shaun Pollock, who was caught by Damien Martyn at point for six, and Nicky Boje was then run out by Justin Langer's throw from the square leg boundary after slipping as he turned for a third run..
South Africa's fate was further compounded when Nicky Boje slipped as he turned for a third run and was run out by a throw from Justin Langer from the square leg boundary. Boucher held Australia up for 81 minutes before Ponting's brilliant catch at silly point gave Warne his 46th Test wicket at the SCG, taking him past Chjarles Turner's previous ground record set in the 1890s. MacGill brought the innings to a close when he forced Claude Henderson to sky a catch to mid-off McGrath after scoring nine. 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) | |
Internet links:  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Other top Australia v South Africa stories:  Links to more Australia v South Africa stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Links to more Australia v South Africa stories |
| ||
 | ^^ Back to top | |
| Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports | Sports Talk | In Depth | Photo Galleries | Audio/Video | TV & Radio | BBC Pundits | Question of Sport | Funny Old Game ------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> | BBC Weather >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMII|News Sources|Privacy | ||
E-mail this story to a friend