Lee bowls Australia back into the First Test
Australia has fought back from a mediocre start to deny South Africa taking command after day two of the First
Test at the WACA Ground in Perth.
South Africa's blossoming run continued early with the first wicket partnership (83), between Graeme Smith
and AB de Villiers, adding a further 45 runs to the overnight total. Smith was the first wicket to fall today
when he edged to Ponting in the slips.
The second wicket fell just on lunch when Herschelle Gibbs had his stumps broken by Brett Lee's inswinger.
Warne struck in the second over after the break with de Villiers bowled for 68. A fired up Lee then collected
his second wicket, that of Jacques Rudolph (8) with the edge to Justin Langer in the slips.
Justin Kemp added to the tourists faltering line-up when he drove Glenn McGrath's slower ball straight to
Brad Hodge at mid-on. South Africa after a strong start had lost 5-84. With the tea break on the horizon,
worse was to come for the visitors as Warne claimed Ashwell Prince (20) and the new calendar year record for
most number of wickets in Tests.
However, Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock ensured the South Africans took the lead with a 77-run seventh
wicket stand before Lee returned to end the partnership, Pollock bowled for 34.
|
Test Series - First Test |
| AUSTRALIA |
258 & 1/38 |
(Second Innings)
| Matthew Hayden | 20 |
| Justin Langer | 15* |
| Charl Langeveldt | 1/2 |
|
| SOUTH AFRICA |
296 |
(First Innings)
| AB de Villiers | 68 |
| Mark Boucher | 62 |
| Brett Lee | 5/93 |
| Shane Warne | 3/92 |
|
@ the WACA Ground, Perth
Match Summary :: Day Two |
Warne snared Mark Boucher (62) with Matthew Hayden taking a classic catch contender in the slips.
Lee was the best of the bowlers and, after a fiery spell earlier in the day, finished off the tail-enders,
Charl Langeveldt and Makhaya Ntini, for his sixth five-wicket haul.
Warne claimed three wickets, while McGrath and Nathan Bracken nabbed one each.
Trailing by 38 runs, the Australians made a cautious start to their second innings with openers Langer and
Hayden quietly moved the score to 37 before Langeveldt claimed Hayden in the final over of the day.
Lee joined Langer in the middle as a night-watchman and both remained not
out. Scores are level with three days to play.
Play resumes tomorrow morning at 10:30am local time.
Full scorecard available
here.
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