Ponting would never have thought of such a resistance from the side of South Africa, once the play started on day3 from an overnight cricket score of 198/7. He might have planned to run over the tail end of Proteas within no time to have a chance in the 2nd test at MCG. The trump card for SA was Duminy who contributed generously on their record breaking chase in the last innings in the 1st test. The 24 year old bat never looked tense except for a while when he was in his 90s. In the first four overs, Australia could only record the wicket of Harris who went back after adding 67 runs to the team total. He made the foundation for the great come back for Proteas by picking 39 runs.

The highest 9th wicket stand in tests between SA and Australia was built then between Duminy and Steyn. Cricket360 found the latter cracking his career best 76 runs off 238 balls laced with 9 boundaries and one six off Hauritz. The man was helped a lot to put up a long innings by the ‘Kangaroos’. Steyn was dropped by Ponting when his score was 32 and Hussey was kind enough to not even attempt a high one from him immediately after, due to sun light. Once again when at 57 Hauritz couldn’t benefit from a return catch. The pair added 180 runs for the ninth wicket which is third highest in the history of test cricket. Steyn deserves special applauds, for he was hit on his hand by a Jhonson delivery and he did never show any glimpse of that pain throughout his knock until he got out bowled by Siddle at a live score of 431 runs, a class example of sports man spirit.

On the other end Duminy was marching ahead like a veteran batsman with the help of all the tail end material of Proteas. Ponting could not get the help of Lee for almost the whole day as he was suffering from a foot injury. Duminy showed excellent patience and he kept the faith on his colleagues and surged past his maiden test century through a classy cut shot off Siddle and the promising batsman was full of joy. Nothing more Smith would have needed from his boys and the whole team was praising the great effort by Duminy. The great innings came to an end in the 153rd over when he walked back to the pavilion as the last man out at a score of 459 runs caught by siddle off Hauritz.  Duminy’s innings of 166 runs off 448 balls was a class apart to watch and he took the advantage out of the Australian on the third day by leaving them 65 runs behind. Siddle pocketed 2 out of the 3 wickets on the 3rd day and he finished with 4 for 81.

Australia was in fact survived a classy spell of 3 overs with Hayden (1) and Katich (2) on the crease. Still they are trailing by 61 runs and Ponting would have to sweat out a lot to make the match turn in favor of them with only two days left. Much added to their worry, as per Cricket360.com, is the irresponsible fielding and that too from senior players including the skipper.

Comments

Add New RSS

3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

Newer news items:

Older news items: