Date:30/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/30/stories/2008123056451700.htm

Sport - Cricket

Steyn leaves Aussies gasping

— Photo: AFP

LETHAL WEAPON: Dale Steyn, with his second fiver of the match, has put South Africa in a good position to wrap up the series against Australia.

MELBOURNE: Dale Steyn registered his second five-wicket haul of the Boxing Day Test here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, finishing with match figures of ten for 154, as South Africa appeared poised to complete its first-ever series win in Australia.

Steyn, whose rearguard 180-run partnership with Jean-Paul Duminy turned the game on Sunday, scythed through Australia’s batting on day four with a mixture of control and pace.

Ponting hits 99

Ricky Ponting, whose leadership is under fire for Australia’s dismal showing in 2008, made a determined 99, adding to his first-innings 101, but his side folded for 247.

Set 183 for victory and a 2-0 series win, South Africa motored to 30 without loss in six overs by close, captain Graeme Smith leading the charge with an undefeated 25.

Although rain is forecast for Tuesday morning, South Africa will fancy its chances of becoming the first side to beat Australia in Australia since 1992-93, when Richie Richardson’s West Indies triumphed 2-1.

Determined knock

Ponting’s magnificent effort and Mitchell Johnson’s aggressive, unbeaten 43 were the lone bright spots in a dismal batting effort. After spending 40 minutes in the 90s, he fell victim to a sharp piece of cricket.

Morne Morkel, who bowled a hostile spell earlier in the day, tempted the Australian captain to mis-hit a wide, length delivery to the strategically placed short-cover.