South Africa strike back with late wickets

PERTH: South Africa hit back with two wickets after Australia’s second-string pace attack dismissed the Proteas on a dramatic opening day of the third and final Test at the WACA Ground on Friday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Proteas were bundled out for 225 despite more heroics from Adelaide Test hero Faf du Plessis in a match that will decide the top-ranked nation in Test cricket.

However, the Proteas quickly struck back with a vengeance, claiming two Australian wickets in the hour before stumps.

Opener Ed Cowan was caught in slips by Jacques Kallis off pace spearhead Dale Steyn for a first-ball duck, before Shane Watson (10) was given out lbw to Vernon Philander on a decision review, after umpire Asad Rauf had turned down the initial appeal.

At the close, the home team were 33 for two, with David Warner on 12 and night watchman Nathan Lyon surviving a torrid examination from Steyn in the final over of the day to be seven not out.

Batting at number seven, second Test hero du Plessis teamed with the tail to add vital late runs after the Proteas had slumped to 75 for six, losing five wickets for 14 runs either side of lunch.

Recalled spinner Robin Peterson made 31 with the bat to be the second-highest scorer behind du Plessis’ unbeaten 78.

Australia were forced to completely revamp their fast bowling line-up for the match, with their three pacemen from the drawn Adelaide Test — Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson — all ruled out.

Left-armer Mitchell Johnson was recalled for his first Test in 12 months, Mitchell Starc was promoted after being 12th man for the first two matches in the series, and Hastings was handed his Test debut. All were in wickets.

Already struggling at 63 for three at lunch, the Proteas crumbled after it, with Hashim Amla (11), AB de Villiers (4) and debutant Dean Elgar (0) falling in quick succession. Lyon picked up late wickets with his off-spin to claim 3-41.

Score Board

South Africa won toss

South Africa 1st innings

*G C Smith c Clarke b Watson 16

A N Petersen b Starc 30

H M Amla run out 11

J H Kallis b Starc 2

†A B de Villiers c Clarke b Hastings 4

D Elgar c Wade b Johnson 0

F du Plessis not out 78

R J Peterson c Wade b Lyon 31

V D Philander c Hussey b Lyon 30

D W Steyn b Johnson 2

M Morkel c Hastings b Lyon 17

Extras (lb 2, w 2) 4

Total (all out; 74 overs) 225

Fall: 1-38, 2-61, 3-63, 4-67, 5-67, 6-75, 7-132, 8-196, 9-206, 10-225

Bowling: Starc 16-3-55-2; Hastings 20-2-51-1; Watson 9-2-22-1 (1w); Johnson 17-3-54-2 (1w); Lyon 12-1-41-3

Australia 1st innings

D A Warner not out 12

E J M Cowan c Kallis b Steyn 0

S R Watson lbw b Philander 10

N M Lyon not out 7

Extras (lb 4) 4

Total (2 wickets; 11 overs) 33

To bat: R T Ponting, *M J Clarke, M E K Hussey, †M S Wade, J W Hastings, M G Johnson, M A Starc

Fall: 1-3, 2-18

Bowling: Steyn 6-2-21-1; Philander 4-0-8-1; Morkel 1-1-0-0

Test debuts: J W Hastings (Australia); D Elgar (South Africa)

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan) and R A Kettleborough (England). TV umpire: B F Bowden (New Zealand). Match referee: R S Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

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