Date:20/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/20/stories/2008122053061900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Aussies stretch lead

Perth: Australia managed a lead of 322 at the end of the third day of the first Test against South Africa here on Friday. The host was 228 for seven at stumps.

After being dismissed for 281 in its first innings, South Africa’s bowlers made consistent breakthroughs with Dale Steyn, Paul Harris and Jacques Kallis picking up two wickets apiece. The Australian batsmen fell to questionable shot-selection.

Brad Haddin was the exception, putting on 66 runs in an unbroken partnership with Jason Krezja to stretch the host’s lead. Haddin’s effort included two straight sixes in an over from Harris. Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds put on 60 in a stand that promised more.

Earlier, Mitchell Johnson registered the eighth-best figures by an Australian, finishing with eight wickets for 61 runs.

scoreboard

Australia — 1st innings: 375.

South Africa — 1st innings: N. McKenzie c Krejza b Johnson 2, G. Smith b Johnson 48, H. Amla b Krejza 47, J. Kallis c Haddin b Johnson 63, A. de Villiers c Haddin b Johnson 63, J. Duminy c Haddin b Johnson 1, M. Boucher c Katich b Siddle 26, M. Morkel c Krejza b Johnson 1, P. Harris c Krejza b Johnson 0, D. Steyn c Haddin b Johnson 8, M. Ntini (not out) 5; Extras (lb-5, nb-7, w-5): 17; Total (in 89.5 overs): 281.

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-106, 3-110, 4-234, 5-237, 6-238, 7-241, 8-241, 9-256.

Australia bowling: Lee 21-3-59-0, Johnson 24-4-61-8, Krejza 25-2-102-1, Siddle 16.5-5-44-1, Symonds 3-1-10-0.

Australia — 2nd innings: M. Hayden c & b Steyn 4, S. Katich c Boucher b Kallis 37, R. Ponting c Boucher b Harris 32, M. Hussey b Ntini 8, M. Clarke c Kallis b Steyn 25, A. Symonds c Smith b Harris 37, B. Haddin (batting) 39, B. Lee c de Villiers b Kallis 5, J. Krejza (batting) 28; Extras (lb-6, w-2, nb-5): 13. Total (for seven wkts. in 75 overs): 228.

Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-59, 3-88, 4-88, 5-148, 6-157, 7-162.

South Africa bowling: Steyn 16-3-57-2, Ntini 13-2-55-1, Harris 23-3-64-2, Kallis 11-4-19-2, Morkel 12-3-27-0.