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South Africa in Australia, 2008/09, 2nd TestSouth Africa Fight Back After Ponting Century, Aus 280/626-Dec-2008 16:17:00 IST
Melbourne: Ricky Ponting stepped up in his bid to level the series with a century, but South Africa maintained the momentum that was gained over the past week by limiting the impact of the captain's accomplices. While Australia were in a festive mood when Ponting was on the way to a classy 101, they ended the day at the doubt of 6 for 280 after another tight contest.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Australia lost their first wicket with just 21 runs on the board when an out of form Matthew Hayden was dismissed by Makhaya Ntini for 8. But Simon Katich and Ponting added 107 runs for the second wicket to steady the Australian ship. The partnership was broken by Dale Steyn when he clean bowled Katich for 54. Michael Hussey did not bother the scorers as Steyn had him caught behind by Mark Boucher for a duck.
Ponting hit 10 fours and a six in his fluent knock and accelerated in the later part of his innings scoring his second 50 off only 40 balls but his innings ended soon after when he was dismissed by Paul Harris for 101.
Andrew Symonds chipped in with 27 before falling to Morne Morkel and Australia would have had the first day honours had Brad Haddin not been dismissed by Ntini in the penultimate over for 40. Michael Clarke (36) and Brett Lee (0) were at the crease at the end of the first day's play.
Day 1 - Highlights
Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich went past 1000 runs in 2008, joining nine other players who have achieved that feat. Katich has been more consistent, averaging 59.17 in 11 Tests, while Ponting averages 45.12 in 14.
Ponting became the eighth batsman to go past 1000 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Matthew Hayden is the other player in the current Australian squad on that list.
Hayden continued his poor run, caught for 8 off Makhaya Ntini. He's had a bad year since getting back-to-back centuries against India in their away series. He has managed just 56 runs in his last six innings at an average of 9.33.
Michael Hussey, too, has experienced a slump in form. He averaged 80.58 overall before the start of 2008, which has since dipped to 60.25, thanks to his relatively disappointing average of 39.04 in 14 Tests this year. It was his fourth duck in Tests, all of which have come this year.
Michael Clarke's unbeaten 36 from 157 balls is so far his slowest knock among innings where he's scored more than ten runs.
onting scored his runs at a strike rate of 80.15, and the contrast between his innings and Clarke's is best illustrated by the manner in which they handled Ntini: Ponting scored 35 off 25 deliveries from Ntini - a strike rate of 140. Clarke faced 41 balls from him and scored 6, a strike rate of 14.63.
Australia maintained a run-rate of 3.70 when Ponting was at the crease, scoring 163 runs in 264 balls. However, after his dismissal, their scoring rate fell to 2.48, as they managed just 96 off 232, thanks largely to Clarke's innings.Brief Score: Australia 6 for 280 (Ponting 101, Katich 54) vs South Africa
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