Thursday, November 10, 2011

23 wickets fall on Day 2



SA seems to be in the driver's seat in this Test, as 23 wickets fell like nine pins on Day 2.

Australia were all out for 284, with Clarke scoring a brilliant 151. SA were bowled out for 96, with Harris taking 4-33 and Watson 5-17.

Then Australia were bowled out for 47, with Philander taking 5 for 15 and Morkel 3-9.

SA are 81/1, needing 155 runs to beat Australia ! Anything can happen, as the wicket seems to be a fast bowler's Paradise.

Australia's last wicket ensured that they did not hit the record books for the lowest total in Test history. They were 21/9 and the last pair ( Siddle and Lyon ) added 26 runs to take Australia to 47. The lowest total record is 26, by NZ against Eng in Auckland in 1955. Australia's all time low was 36 against Eng in Birmingham in 1902.

Amla and Graeme Smith batted with care and the Proteas seem comfortably placed at 81/1. Smith on 36 and Amla on 29 now battle it out with the Kangaroos.

Debutant Vernon Philander took 5-15 and Morkel 3/9 on a pitch which offered plenty of seam movement than on the first day.

Clarke on 107 was helped by Siddle (20) in the first innings, as the Kangaroos added 70 runs to their overnight total of 214. The value of Clarke's innings shone like gold, as Watson in a devastating spell, captured five wickets for 17 runs to rattle the Proteas and make them all out for 96.

Australia's collapse for 47 was dramatic, as it was all over in 18 overs. There were three ducks in the Aussie innings, as Ponting, Haddin and Hussey went back to the pavilion without scoring.

To make the day more dramatic, Amla was dropped of the last ball, off Harris, when Hussey could not hold a slash at backward point.

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