Dogfight continues as Hussey steady’s Australia ship

After a slow start, a Mike Hussey led Australia fought back to share the honours with South Africa at stumps on day two of the Second Test in Durban.

The match is evenly poised going into day three, with the Proteas sitting comfortably at 2/140, with leading batsmen Jacques Kallis (72) and AB de Villiers (48) at the crease, looking ready to hit their straps.

The Australians were rescued from a disastrous beginning to the day by Hussey; the Western Australian again saved the side from an embarrassing first innings total with a clever 75, holding the latter stage of the innings together after it threatened to fall apart.

The home side began well, dismissing the dangerous Andrew Symonds early on for 13, trapped LBW by Andre Nel.

A few overs later, Nel was at it again, this time snaring the prized wicket of Australian keeper Adam Gilchrist, caught behind for 2, his side wobbling at 7/259.

Once again, it was up to the accomplished Hussey to save the day, teaming well with Shane Warne to move the score to 315 before Warne fell, caught off Pollock’s bowling for a crash and bash 36, which included six fours and one towering six.

Hussey then took full control, working well with tailenders Michael Kasprowicz and Stuart Clark to add 54 runs for the final two wickets, dismissed by Kallis for an enterprising knock of 75, leading Australia to 369.

Buoyed by their lower orders revival, the Australians were quickly on the front foot, with paceman Brett Lee removing the unfortunate Proteas skipper Graeme Smith with the first ball of the innings, caught in the slips by Justin Langer. The ball bowled by Lee was faster than 150k/h, giving Smith hardly any time to react.

With blood in the water, Australian firmly slammed the foot down, the veteran Kasprowicz knocking over the potent Herschelle Gibbs with a brute of a ball, the South Africans floundering at 2/10.

Gibbs’ dismissal saved Ricky Ponting some grief, having split the star bat only balls prior.

From there on, South Africa played superbly, Kallis and de Villiers not willing to take any risks in moving the score to 2/140 at stumps, the day’s play ended due to poor light.

The Proteas handled arch nemesis Shane Warne with aplomb, never allowing the champion leg spinner to settle into a dangerous routine.

With the match in the balance, Australia will be relying on their pacemen Lee, Kasprowicz and Clark – who did the damage in the first test – to make early inroads tomorrow morning, with Ponting no doubt licking his lips at the prospect of bowling Warne on a wearing fifth day wicket.

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