Date:18/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/18/stories/2008121851961900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Australia recovers after a poor start

PERTH: Australia limped and leapt to 341 for nine by the end of an opening day of fluctuating fortunes against South Africa at the WACA here on Wednesday.

Within 32 balls after it had elected to bat, the host found itself in a hole dug by fast and accurate South African bowling. Makhaya Ntini bounced Mathew Hayden into an edge and then lured Ricky Ponting into a flashy nick that was grabbed by A.B. de Villiers at gully. Ponting scored a golden duck, and his replacement at the crease — Michael Hussey — did not fare any better.

Bounced repeatedly by Dale Steyn, Hussey finally edged one to de Villiers in the sixth over of the innings to leave Australia tottering at 15 for three.

Rescue act

With the South African pacers smelling blood, a prompt curtailment of the Aussie innings appeared likely, but a rescue act was organised by Simon Katich and Michael Clarke who came together for a no-frills 149-run stand for the fourth wicket.

The duo took the score to 164 to even things out, before both players departed within one over of each other — Katich trapped in front by Morne Morkel after scoring 83 and Clarke caught at mid-on after he attempted to go down the wicket to Paul Harris.

Breezy partnership

The new pair of Andrew Symonds and Brad Haddin then added a breezy 93 to the total. Symonds’s 68-ball 57 was laced with six hits to the fence. He finally holed out to long on. Haddin and Brett Lee added 39 for the seventh wicket.

Later, Mitchell Johnson and Jason Krezja added 38 runs for the ninth wicket that may just prove to be worth their weight in gold as the match unravels.

The scores: Australia — 1st innings: M. Hayden c Smith b Ntini 12, S. Katich lbw b Morkel 83, R. Ponting c de Villiers b Ntini 0, M. Hussey c de Villiers b Steyn 0, M. Clarke c Smith b Harris 62, A. Symonds c McKenzie b Harris 57, B. Haddin c Duminy b Ntini 46, B. Lee c Duminy b Steyn 29, J. Krejza (batting) 19, M. Johnson lbw b Morkel 18; Extras (lb-7, w-3, nb-5): 15. Total (for nine wkts. in 89 overs): 341.

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-14, 3-15, 4-164, 5-166, 6-259, 7-298, 8-303, 9-341.

South Africa bowling: Ntini 18-1-66-3, Steyn 18-2-71-2, Kallis 15-2-65-0, Morkel 17-1-62-2, Harris 21-2-70-2.