Lone Battles Waged as Australia ‘Siddle’ Up

It was yet another hard first innings for South Africa and Australia are walking all over them on this one. Yet again South Africa face their moment of truth: Can they climb out of this one to make magic like they did at Perth?

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Australia began on their overnight score of six for 280 and built on a monumental 294. Contrast that with South Africa’s finish on day two on seven down for 198 and it will be hard to find inspiration. Australia though are buoyed thanks largely to a new comer and appear to be in firm control of this match.

Peter Siddle took the new ball and Australia did not look back once. Neil McKenzie found his stumps rattled in the first over and there began South Africa’s slip and side. Hashim Amla felt cheaply as well to Mitchell Johnson to a spectacular catch in the gully by Andrew Symonds and South Africa found themselves in knee deep waters at two for thirty-nine.

The rescue act came from the two powerhouses. But it did not last long enough. Jacques Kallis hung around for twenty-six before the spinner for this match replacing Jason Krezja, Nathan Hauritz, did his job eliminating the danger man. Skipper Graeme Smith held on like a lone ranger but no further aid for coming in the form of back up.

When he departed, the score read four for 126 and apart from his sixty-two, there was nothing to inspire confidence that defined the South African counter attack at Perth. AB de Villiers, who engineered the latter half of the victory chase at the WACA, came out a different man. His stay at the crease was most uncharacteristic and his departure, like his stay, did not really rattle anyone.

But it was the young JP Duminy who held on as South Africa were spiraling into a dark hole. Last seen, he was braving it out with Paul Harris after Morne Morkel did what he could in his twenty-one run innings. It’s is on Duminy’s young shoulders that hopes now rest, his thirty-nine run stay already worth its weight.

If Ponting’s century from the previous day’s any indication, it showed South Africa were pushed back by Siddle’s extravagantly expeditious bowling and somehow never could muster the courage to get past that. Michael Clarke did his bit, getting Australia from an even position overnight to strong position on the morning of the second day’s play unbeaten as he was on eighty-eight as the Aussie tail continued to wag, effectively.

For much more mayhem Down Under:

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The KFC sponsored AB de Villiers Show

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Australia – Arrogant and Over rated

Ponting, a Teapot?

South Africa Trounce Australia and History With Panache

Can South Africa pull off a “India”?

Time to Let Number Three Breathe

Australia: Heading For a Finish

Mitch Mania: Cricket You Pay To Watch!

Feisty Battles Keep Australia on Their Toes