Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Clarke hundred keeps Australia ahead against S. Africa

-

Australian captain Michael Clarke completed his 27th Test century as Australia continued to build a big total on the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Sunday.

Clarke made 137 not out in an Australian total of 434 for four at lunch.

Australia added 103 runs for the loss of Steve Smith's wicket on a chilly, windy morning.

With strike bowler Dale Steyn out of action after suffering a hamstring injury on the first day, the key for Australia was to prevent the South African bowlers from making a breakthrough early in the day with an almost-new ball.

Kyle Abbott of South Africa bowls on day 1 of the third Test match between South Africa and Australi...
Kyle Abbott of South Africa bowls on day 1 of the third Test match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Cape Town on March 2, 2014
Peter Heeger, AFP

Kyle Abbott bowled an outstanding spell of six overs during which he conceded only one run, but couldn't take a wicket, while Vernon Philander went for 39 runs in his six-over morning spell.

Clarke, who was on 92 overnight, quickly went to 99 but then faced 24 deliveries - 23 of them from Abbott - without being able to get the run to bring up his fifth century against South Africa.

It finally came with a cover drive for four off Philander. He had faced 215 balls and hit 11 fours.

Smith, meanwhile, played some aggressive strokes as he made 84 in a fourth wicket stand of 184 with Clarke before he chopped a wide delivery from part-time left-arm spinner Dean Elgar into his stumps. He hit nine fours and three sixes in a 155-ball innings.

Shane Watson, playing in his first match of the series, survived a review off the first ball he faced when Elgar appealed for leg before wicket. He was on 21 not out at lunch.

Australian captain Michael Clarke completed his 27th Test century as Australia continued to build a big total on the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Sunday.

Clarke made 137 not out in an Australian total of 434 for four at lunch.

Australia added 103 runs for the loss of Steve Smith’s wicket on a chilly, windy morning.

With strike bowler Dale Steyn out of action after suffering a hamstring injury on the first day, the key for Australia was to prevent the South African bowlers from making a breakthrough early in the day with an almost-new ball.

Kyle Abbott of South Africa bowls on day 1 of the third Test match between South Africa and Australi...

Kyle Abbott of South Africa bowls on day 1 of the third Test match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Cape Town on March 2, 2014
Peter Heeger, AFP

Kyle Abbott bowled an outstanding spell of six overs during which he conceded only one run, but couldn’t take a wicket, while Vernon Philander went for 39 runs in his six-over morning spell.

Clarke, who was on 92 overnight, quickly went to 99 but then faced 24 deliveries – 23 of them from Abbott – without being able to get the run to bring up his fifth century against South Africa.

It finally came with a cover drive for four off Philander. He had faced 215 balls and hit 11 fours.

Smith, meanwhile, played some aggressive strokes as he made 84 in a fourth wicket stand of 184 with Clarke before he chopped a wide delivery from part-time left-arm spinner Dean Elgar into his stumps. He hit nine fours and three sixes in a 155-ball innings.

Shane Watson, playing in his first match of the series, survived a review off the first ball he faced when Elgar appealed for leg before wicket. He was on 21 not out at lunch.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Business

South Korean ministries and police said Thursday they were blocking DeepSeek's access to work computers.

Business

Asian markets rose tracking gains on Wall Street and following the US Postal Service's U-turn on a ban on parcels from China and Hong...

World

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would skip Group of 20 talks this month in South Africa, accusing the host government of...

World

M23 called its first public meeting after capturing the eastern city of Goma - Copyright AFP TED ALJIBERwandan-backed M23 called its first public meeting...