Sport - Cricket

Clarke leads Aussie fightback

Sydney: Michael Clarke scored a defiant unbeaten 73 to save Australia’s blushes as he steered his team to 267 for six on a keenly contested opening day of the third and final cricket Test against South Africa here on Saturday.

Australia, staring at a rare series whitewash, was tottering at 162 for five when Clarke and stumper Brad Haddin (38) joined hands to resurrect the innings with a 75-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn removed Haddin late in the day to tilt the balance slightly in South Africa’s favour at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

However, by the time Haddin began his walk back to hut, Australia had reached a position from where it can continue its fight to save its No. 1 ranking in Test cricket.

Australia was pegged back by a top-order failure with Hayden’s awful run continuing and Ponting falling for a duck while none of the other batsmen could hang around for a long time.

The South Afican attack fired in unison with each bowler accounting for one Australian scalp in the first five wickets after the Australians opted to bat. Vice-captain Clarke lifted the team from a precarious position with his fighting knock, captalising on a dropped chance at his individual score of 12.

He charged down the pitch to left-arm spinner Paul Harris, did not get the elevation but was fortunate to stay as Makhaya Ntini failed to pouch the chance.

Clarke struck nine fours in his 151-ball knock and was holding the fort with pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson (17) when stumps were drawn for the day. — PTI

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