Michael Clarke has ended a brave innings from South African superstar Jacques Kallis to help secure Australia a commanding 162-run first innings lead on day three of the second Test.
Kallis came out to bat at No.9 nursing a hamstring injury, but despite obvious discomfort and the scoreboard drastically against the Proteas (7-250 at the time), the allrounder carved out a tradesmanlike 58 from 93 balls.
However, when his 93-run eighth-wicket partnership with impressive debutant Faf du Plessis (78) was broken by captain Clarke (1-22), South Africa were soon all out for 388, as tea was taken, in response to Australia’s first innings total of 550.
Australia can taste a vital victory in the second Test at Adelaide, but they’re set to have to do it without firebrand James Pattinson, who is unlikely to bowl again in the match after experiencing pain in his side.
Pattinson was struck down midway through the 83rd over and rushed for scans. He’s returned to the ground but results won’t be known on Saturday.
The follow-on was avoided, but it’s doubtful Australia would have enforced it anyway – given Pattinson’s injury and a desire to avoid batting last on an Adelaide Oval pitch which is already showing signs of breaking up.
Peter Siddle (2-130) came out firing on day three and was supported well by Ben Hilfenhaus (3-49).
Siddle celebrated the wicket of key man Graeme Smith (122) in dramatic circumstances and then had AB de Villiers (1) lbw in his next over as Australia took 3-7 within four overs.
The wickets fell too quickly for the South African medical staff, who didn’t have enough time to work on Kallis’ hamstring to send him out to bat at No.7.
Kallis clutched for his right hamstring as Siddle sent a barrage of short balls at him before lunch – but proved what a player he is by fighting on, smashing 10 fours and a six.
He was brought undone in unfortunate circumstances when he attempted to sweep a wayward delivery from Clarke and the ball bounced up into his glove and sat for keeper Matt Wade.
Spinner Nathan Lyon (2-91) started the rot in the seventh over on day three, when he had Jacques Rudolph caught at short cover by Rob Quiney for 29.
In the following over Siddle ripped in to have Smith caught behind.
Smith was adamant he hadn’t hit the ball, and immediately requested a review. But the slightest of marks showed up on Smith’s blade, and although he didn’t like it, the decision stood.
Hilfenhaus, under pressure after a quiet game in Brisbane, bowled well to get Dale Steyn (1) pushing meekly to Ricky Ponting at second slip, Rory Kleinveldt (0) bowled, and du Plessis caught by Clarke at mid-off.
David Warner (1-27) was the unlikely man to dismiss run-machine Hashim Amla (11) on day two.