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Shot ... Graeme Smith was in fine form late on day two at the WACA. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited
South Africa bowl Australia out cheaply on day two, with Matthew Wade playing a lone hand for the hosts.
The tourists will now look to build on their lead of 62 and put the game out of reach of the Aussies.
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3rd Test - WACA Ground
30 November 2012 - Day 2, Session 3
South Africa 2nd Innings
| H. Amla | 96 | 78 | 10 | 0 | 123.08 |
| J. Kallis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| M. Starc | 8 | 0 | 62 | 1 | 7.75 |
Latest comments (all times AEDT):
2036: FOUR! Well Smith's wicket hasn't slowed Amla down, as he plays a nice pull shot in front of square that runs to the boundary. Amla is on 96 now. SA 2-210
2033: WICKET! (Smith 84, c Lyon b Starc, SA 2-206) What an unbelievable catch! Just when it looked like all hope was lost for Australia, Smith skies a hook shot off Starc and Nathan Lyon takes an absolute screamer running in from the mid-wicket boundary, diving forward at full stretch. Australia needed something special, and they got it!
2029: CLOSE! FOUR! Well that was risky. Amla goes for the big straight drive over the bowlers head, he doesn't quite get hold of it but it goes far enough to just elude mid-off and long-on, and bounces over the boundary rope. A couple of balls later, Smith whips Lyon to the boundary for another four. SA 1-205
2025: FOUR! Smith just keeps on keeping on, as he latches onto a short and wide ball from Starc and crunches it to the point boundary. SA 1-194
2023: abigail says: This is what happens when you select the second string bowlers. They bowl well occasionally, but have no consistancy and don't have the disicpline or control to hold a good side. I think the selectors will now realise that their bowling stocks aren't as good as they thought they were. Bowlers (and batsmen) should not be rewarded with Australian selection on the basis of one good Shield performance.
Antony says: To be fair to the selectors, Hastings has taken 22 wickets in his last five Shield games, while Starc was in very good form in T20 cricket as well as the Shield. But I agree re: the lack of consistency - Australia desperately needs someone like Pattinson or Siddle just to dry up the runs.
2020: Check out the picture below - look who was at the cricket! (At least it's a brief distraction for Aussie fans from what's happening out in the middle)
2015: CLOSE! That's good bowling from Johnson! Coming around the wicket to the left-handed Smith, Johnson gets on to keep going straight and it beats the outside edge. He needs to bowl more balls like that.
2013: Terry of Sunny Coast has a different answer for Mark of Melbourne: So that's it Mark, the games' over? Wait and see how the game pans' out. Glad l never played in your team. A third of the way through and your giving up. This wicket will only get better to bat on in the next couple of days'. Back Australia now while the price is good..
2009: Speaking of Twenty20 cricket, guess how many runs South Africa have scored in the last 20 overs? 100? 120? Try 150 runs. Incredible.
2007: Sam of Sydney responds to Mark of Melbourne: hate to state the obvious, but the reason we didn't win in Adelaide is because we couldn't take 20 wickets. There's your answer.
2003: APPEAL! Well that was out of nowhere. Amla punches one to Ponting at mid-wicket, and Punter throws down the stumps at the non-strikers end in a flash! Unfortunately for Australia, Smith had made it back into the crease. NOT OUT. FOUR! And just to rub salt into the wound, Amla smashes the next ball over cover for another boundary. This is like a Twenty20 game here. SA 1-174
2002: FOUR! Nathan Lyon replaces Hussey, but it makes no difference, as the first ball of the over is driven through cover for four.
1957: FOUR! And not on that evidence either. Hussey bowls it too short and Amla pulls it in front of mid-wicket for four. SA 1-160
1954: After the players have a drink, it's Michael Hussey who comes into the attack. Can Mr Cricket geta breakthrough? WIDE! Not on that evidence. Hussey bowls a very wide one in anticipation of Smith walking across his stumps, but the batsman doesn't move and the ball is called a wide. SA 1-154
1949: Mark of Melbourne says: How frustrating, have the number 1 team completely outplayed for the majority of this series yet one bad innings with bat and ball will result in a 1-0 loss for us. God knows why we didn't win in Adelaide despite completely dominating South Africa, we've been the best team for the most of this series but it doesn't matter if you can't put the other team away.
Antony says: And that, in a nutshell, is what sets Test cricket apart from the shorter forms of the game.
1945: CLOSE! That is sensational work in the field from Ponting. Smith looked to be cruising for a single but Ponting picked the ball up at gully, turned, and threw the stumps down pretty much in one motion. Smith makes it home, but not by much. Now Johnson comes back to bowl.
1941: FIFTY! Amla cuts a ball from Hastings for a single, and that brings up his 50 off just 37 balls! Can you believe that? He's supposed to be a slow, classic Test batsman.
1938: APPEAL! Just when all hope looks lost, Starc gives Australia a lifeline! Or does he? Smith is hit high on his back pad, the Aussies appeal, and umpire Asad Rauf gives it OUT! But Smith goes for the REVIEW straight away and Hawkeye shows the ball is going over the stumps and the decision is reversed. NOT OUT! Australia really needed that one.
1936: FOUR! Starc gives Smith a bit of width and the South African plays a nice late cut past gully for four, and that brings up his FIFTY! FOUR! Just for good measure, he straight drives the next ball to four. FOUR! Why not hit three in a row? This time it's a cut shot through the covers. This is poor bowling, and this situation is getting out of hand for Australia. SA 1-131
1933: mick of The Mountans says: I think we're about to see why South Africa are the number one side in the world !
Antony says: We've seen glimpses throughout the series, but today we saw the real deal.
1930: FOUR! John Hastings replaces Lyon, and induces a loose shot out of Amla. The South African goes for a big cover drive but slices it and the ball ends up going over point for four. That was lucky for Amla. SA 1-119
1927: FOUR! Starc bowls a relatively controlled over but his one loose ball is punished by Smith, who gets a thick edge off a cover drive that sees the ball fly past gully for four. SA 1-115
1920: My colleague Jason Marsh (who by the way is from England - not that there's anything wrong with that) has these words for worried Aussie fans: It's still only day two, and the difference between the scores still isn't that big. It's still anyone's game.
Antony says: You know things are bad when an Englishman starts telling you things aren't that bad. Now I'm worried!
1917: CLOSE! Amla goes for the quick single, John Hastings runs in from mid-off and throws down the stumps at the non-striker's end, but Amla was home safely.
1915: FOUR! Another boundary, this time off the bowling of Lyon, as Smith plays a nice late cut. CLOSE! But the next ball says Smith get an edge and it nearly deflects back onto his stumps. A slight bit of promise for Lyon there. SA 1-102
1912: Yep you guessed it, it's another FOUR! Watson drops short to Smith and the Proteas skipper cuts it to the point boundary. Smith has raced to 34 off 48 balls, and Amla's on 30 off just 22! SA 1-93
1908: FOUR! Shane Watson comes into the attack in place of Hastings, but the result is the same - four runs. Watson pitches up and Amla drives it straight back past the bowler, all the way along the ground. SA 1-84
1904: FOUR! Well the procession of boundaries continues, with Johnson offering up a full and wide one to Amla, and the South African slashing a square drive to the boundary. Now we're going to see Nathan Lyon bowl. Clarke's hand was pretty much forced by his pacemen.
1859: Sam B of NSW says: Australia have to stop allowing so many runs here! We're letting the game get away from us!
Antony says: I agree Sam - South Africa already lead by over 130, which we know is worth quite a bit more than that on this pitch.
1857: FOUR! Wow! Hastings bowls a good ball just outside off stump, but Smith is walking across his stumps virtually every ball and he flicks this one wide of the man at fine leg for four. FOUR! Now it's Amla that hits a boundary, smashes a cut shot past a diving David Warner. Hastings is having some problems. SA 1-71
1854: FOUR! Yet another boundary for South Africa - Australia are losing the momentum here, and fast. Smith whips a loose one from Johnson to the square leg boundary. The Aussies need to stem the flow of runs. SA 1-59
1851: FOUR! Johnson drops a bit short and offers too much width, and Amla crunches it through cover for four. The runs are flowing for South Africa now. SA 1-52
1848: FOUR! That's a nice shot from Smith. He flicks a full ball from Hastings past the man at square leg and it runs all the way to the boundary. The Proteas skipper looks to have got through his shaky stage now. SA 1-48
1841: FOUR! Amla flicks his first ball off his hip but can only get a faint edge, and it goes just past the oustretched arm of Wade. SA 1-40
1839: FOUR! That's two boundaries in a row from Smith. He continues his tactics of walking across his stumps and this time flicks it along the ground through mid-wicket. SA 1-36
1837: John Hastings comes into the attack now, with the new batsman Hashim Amla at the non-striker's end. CLOSE! From the second ball of the over, Graeme Smith chops one back onto his foot. That looked headed for the stumps for a second. FOUR! Smith follows it up with a nice off-drive for four. SA 1-32
1834: WICKET! (Petersen 23, c&b Johnson, SA 1-28) What a catch from Johnson off his own bowling! He bowls a straight one to Petersen that catches a leading edge and balloons into the air, and Johnson sprints down the pitch before diving full length and taking a very good catch. That's the wicket Australia wanted.
1829: We're almost ready for the start of the third session at the WACA, and it will be Mitchell Johnson, who has replaced Shane Watson, to bowl to Petersen.
1823: ZSM of Brisbane says: Both these South African openeners should buy a lottery ticket tonight. Ridiculously lucky.
Antony says: I agree ZSM, they have been very lucky, but then again they say you make your own luck. Michael Clarke has had his fair share of luck this year.
1818: Just a final reminder to send in your questions for Murali. That's right, THE MURALI! They must be in before midday tomorrow! You can email them to blogs@foxsports.com.au now.
1811: TEA (SA 0-24, Petersen 21*, Smith 2*) That's the end of the second session on day two, one that South Africa would be delighted with. After a bit of resistance from Wade and Hastings, the Proteas cleaned up the Aussie tail and then made it to tea without losing a wicket. If they can make it to stumps with a lead of 150, it would put them way ahead with three days still remaining.
1809: mark says: I just wanna say for Consistency, Watson has had the best consistent scores along with Katich when they both opened. They always scored between 40-60. We don't need Centuries when the players always score 40. The problem with the team is that while one or two players of the top order can score centuries they can fail along with the whole team.
1806: CLOSE! FOUR! South Africa's openers are living dangerously here. Starc gets one to keep going across Petersen and it catches a thick edge, but flies past Shane Watson at third slip and ends up going for four. SA 0-22
1804: FOUR! Petersen opens the face and runs one down through the slips for four, but it was in the air for a little while. Australia won't mind that. SA 0-18
1802: APPEAL! Yet another lbw appeal against Smith, this time off the bowling of Starc, but once again the ruling is not out, and it's correct, with the ball going well over the stumps once more. But the fact remains Smith is shaky at the moment.
1759: APPEAL! Watson hits Smith on the pad and the slips cordon goes up, but the umpire says not out. That looked a bit high, and the replays confirm the ball was going well over the off stump. Good decision by Australia not to go for the review.
1755: FOUR! Starc gets one to swing back into Petersen, but it swings too far and allows the South African to flick it off his pads down to fine leg for four. SA 0-11
1752: One last word on Matt Wade from Geoff of Sydney: Some people just don't get it, it is not about "Wade Haters", at all, hats off to him for a good knock, but, he is in the Team primarily as a Wicket Keeper, and during this Series he has not Kept well. Perhaps he will get there, after all Rod Marsh had a shocker in his first few Tests, (called Iron Gloves), but he improved. At the moment, as a Keeper, Wade is probably # 3 in Australia.
1749: APPEAL! Michael Clarke pulls a surprise by opening with Shane Watson, and it almost pays off immediately! Smith tries to flick one off his hip and there's a noise on the way through to the 'keeper, but the umpire correctly says NOT OUT - the ball flicked the pad.
1747: FOUR! Petersen gets caught between going for the cover drive and leaving the ball, and ends up getting an inside edge that goes just past the diving wicketkeeper and runs away for four. Very unconvincing stroke there. SA 0-4
1744: We're ready for the start of South Africa's second innings, and Mitchell Starc kicks things off with a good ball to Alviro Petersen that the Proteas batsman defends well.
1741: mick of The Mountains says: I'd reckon they should have changed the batsmen not the bowlers!! It must be all that cash they have on there hip thats weighing them down.
Antony says: Yes, maybe it is that ... although wouldn't the cash be weighing down the bowlers as well?
1735: South Africa's openers run off the field as they prepare to bat. Australia will be disappointed with that total, which gives the tourists a lead of 62, although if it wasn't for Matthew Wade and John Hastings, it could have been a lot worse. We'll have the start of South Africa's innings in just a few minutes time.
1733: WICKET! (Hastings 32, c Petersen b Peterson, AUS 163) And that's the end of Australia's innings. Hastings goes for another heave-ho off Peterson but doesn't get enough on it and Alviro Petersen takes a very good catch on the long-off boundary - he nearly fell over the rope so he threw it back into the air and then caught the ball safely.
1731: CLOSE! Looks like Starc isn't planning on hanging around too long. He takes an ungainly swipe at a good length ball from Morkel - I think it could be called a cover drive - and misses the ball by a fair bit.
1730: Bowling man says: i would like to say where are thepeople that said mitchell johnson wont play for the aussies again. welcome back mitchell
Antony says: I wonder if the selectors will just roll Mitch out once a year whenever the Aussie team comes to Perth?
1725: WICKET! (Johnson 7, b Peterson, AUS 9-162) Peterson has clean bowled Johnson! It was similar to Wade's wicket, the spinner gave it some flight and Johnson simply couldn't resist taking a bit swipe at the ball, but he played completely across the line and missed the ball. One wicket remains for Australia, and it's Mitchell Starc that comes to the crease.
1722: Let's see the haters.... of Sydney says: credit where credit is due, Wade's innings has saved Australia!
Antony says: I wonder if he'll receive the same plaudits as Faf did yesterday.
1716: FOUR! Graeme Smith brings the field in with Peterson bowling, and Hastings accepts the invitation and slogs it to cow corner for four. FOUR! And follows it up with just about a carbon copy the next ball. FOUR! How about three in a row? You bet! Hastings gets more bat onto this one and it bounces once before going over the mid-wicket boundary. AUS 8-161
1712: CLOSE! The next ball Johnson goes for a very loose cut shot that beats the edge. No appeal this time, but Johnson is living dangerously. And that will bring drinks onto the ground.
1710: APPEAL! Johnson waves his bat at a short and wide one from Morkel, and as the ball goes through to the keeper the Proteas go up as one appealing for caught behind. The umpire says not out, so Graeme Smith calls for a REVIEW! The replays don't appear to show an edge and the decision remains NOT OUT.
1708: Check out awesome picture below of Matt Wade playing a sweep shot, which was the shot that eventually brought about his demise.
1706: OUCH! Johnson wears another one from Morkel on the arm. Looks like Mitch has put away the pull shot for now. Oh no, I stand corrected, the very next ball Johnson goes for the big pull shot but mis-times it completely and it rolls back down the pitch.
1702: Scott Harding of Springfield Lakes says: In all honesty, there is no clear no.1 in Test cricket, regardless of the outcome of this Test. These two sides, England, India and, arguably, Pakistan should be playing a Test Championship home and away. Bottom team after two years gets relegated.
Antony says: Not a bad idea, Scott. I think many within the ICC are pushing for this but we may need to wait a while as they want to stick with their Future Tours plan for now.
1658: OUCH! Johnson wears a short one on the arm from Morkel. Maybe some payback for when the roles were reversed yesterday?
1655: WICKET! (Wade 68, b Peterson, AUS 8-140) Oh dear, Wade has gone for one big shot too many and been bowled by Peterson. It was the trusty sweep shot, but this time it wasn't so trusty for the Aussie 'keeper. In comes Mitchell Johnson - can he wind back the clock to his batting form from the last time he played South Africa?
1653: CLOSE! Peterson tempts Hastings with by adding some extra flight, and Hastings takes the bait completely and goes for a slog over mid-wicket. The ball hits the toe of the bat but luckily for Hastings it falls short of the fieldsman at point.
1649: Cam of Brisbane says: Our biggest problem is the fact our top 4 are boom or bust players. Having 1 in Marcus North was bad enough but now Warner, Cowan, Watson or Ponting will either score less than 20 or get 100. And they never fire together. We always lose 3 cheap wickets every innings. What is wrong with a solid 30 - 50 and take the shine off the new ball. We need to find some players with consistency who may not get 150 too often but can be counted on getting 40 or 50 80% of he time.
Antony says: I've noticed for a while that there is such a massive emphasis placed on hundreds these days. If a batsman averages 50, then that is what he should expect to make whenever he bats (depending on circumstances obviously). Australia's batsmen do either seem to get out early, or dig in for a big innings. The problem is, when a player like Ed Cowan consistently gets 30-40 and takes the shine off the ball, he is considered under pressure to retain his spot.
1645: FOUR! That's a nice shot from Hastings. Philander bowls it short and a touch wide, and Hastings lifts it over about fifth slip, and the ball races to the boundary. AUS 7-139
1642: CLOSE! Steyn bowls a bouncer to Wade and the Aussie keeper can't resist taking a swipe at it. It ends up being quite an ugly hook shot and he's lucky not to get any bat on it. Wade regains his composure and pushes the next ball to point for a single. AUS 7-134
1637: Rippersportspro of NSW says: The Aussies need the tail to wag badly. Hastings is no slouch with the bat, Johnson has got a Test century (against South Africa I might add) and loves batting at the WACA and Starc has shown he can bat too. Just need them to stick around a bit with Wade.
Antony says: Very good point sir. Peterson, Philander and Morkel chipped in to help du Plessis out. The Aussie tail - which is one of the strongest ones we've had in a while - will need to do the same for Wade.
1634: DROPPED! Was that a chance? Steyn bowled a wicked bouncer to Hastings, who stuck up his arm to protect his head. Replays show that the ball struck Hastings on his armguard, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway as A.B. de Villiers dropped a tough chance behind the stumps.
1630: CLOSE! Steyn gets one to cut away from Wade off the seam and it beats the Australian's bat. That was a ripper delivery.
1628: David and Jackie Taylor say: Why is Wade so selfish, he faces nearly all of the bowling from one end and leaves Hussey to face the danger...So many coaches including Arthur have talked about how important it is to turn the stike over and and get both batters moving against all of the bowlers. Even if Wade gets a century he still remains a selfish player in all forms of the game.
Antony says: That certainly is an interesting way of looking at it. If you went into the Australian dressing room and asked them to describe Wade's innings, I doubt any of them would use the word 'selfish'.
1624: CLOSE! Wow, that was almost a replay of the last time Hastings almost got run out. Once again he punches one into the covers, and once again Dean Elgar runs in and takes a throw at the stumps but once again he misses. Hastings is a lucky man.
1621: Chris of Brisbane has emailed in: I think we're seeing why South Africa are still the number one test side. When South Africa had their backs to the wall in this series, they have dug deep and hung on. Australia - take away Michael Clarke, and the skeletal nature of our batting line up is fully exposed. Instead of going into the middle session of day two 100 runs in front, the Australian bowlers took their foot off the South Africans throat, and the batsmen then failed with withstand a world class attack with the wind at their back. Mickey Arthur, you still have a way to go.
Antony says: I agree Mickey Arthur's job is far from complete, but it must be pointed out that Australia are in a very similar position to what South Africa were yesterday. If Wade can kick on like du Plessis did and get a bit of help from the tail, then this game is very much alive.
1617: Mark takes issue with Disgusted Cricket Tragic: Cricket Tragic, WORST TEAM??? AUSTRALIA HAVEN"T LOST A MATCH THIS YEAR.
Antony says: I think the Tragic has a short memory.
1615: Hastings and Wade combine to successfully negotiate the first over after lunch. Now it's Philander to take the ball from the other end.
1611: The players are making their way out into the middle for the start of the second session. Matthew Wade has a big job here, but first up it will be Hastings to face the bowling of Steyn.
1607: Disgusted Cricket Tragic of SCG ends the lunch break on a somewhat pessimistic note: I am so angry and ashamed to be an Australian. This is one of the worst Aussie teams in decades, just hopeless. Inverarity and the selectors are clueless, they know nothing, and put in duds like Cowan, Quiney (2 Tests!), Warner etc - instead of picking guys in FORM in the shield. We are getting smashed by the Saffers and England will almost certainly beat us 5-0 unless the selectors resign en-masse. Yes - the Saffer bowling line-up is sensational and world's best - but our bats should be doing way better on home soil.
1604: Don't forget that foxsports.com.au users have the chance to quiz legendary spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan simply by emailing your question to blogs@foxsports.com.au before midday Sunday (EDT). Send in your question for Murali now!
1359: Come on aussies!! of Sydney says: The pitch is looking good now! Just been good bowling... Lets hope the tail wags as well as it use to, Johnson does like batting against the saffas as well!! Wade is batting beautifully. Attacking but with great shot selection, exactly what we need!! Hope he makes a 100 and shuts people up about his position, has keeping has been great this match and now leading with the bat!!
Antony says: Many Aussie fans wouldn't have seen Wade's innings in West Indies, so he has a big chance to make a name for himself on home turf here. I hundred at the WACA would leave a lasting memory, especially in Ponting's final Test.
1553: I wonder if Matt of Brisbane will pick Hastings or Johnson in his Fantasy Big Bash side!? Make sure you register your team now to get your chance to win $10,000 in cash prizes, and bragging rights over your mates!
1547: Matt of Brisbane says: 30 minutes into today put yesterday into perspective. Steyn & Philander - fast, menacing, pitching it up, swinging it, pressure, wickets. Hastings - maybe opening the bowling in the backyard at mums (or for the Vics), but not in a "grand final" test. Johnson - tatts a plenty and pies a go-go. That guy is success poison. Despite the current doom and gloom though. Wade seems to be finding the middle of the edge, so things aren't all bad. Need a 1st innngs lead or I fear there'll be a truckload of pommies trolling the Fox comments section again.
Antony says: Are you saying Johnson didn't bowl well yesterday, Matt? I think you might be in the minority there. As for Wade ... he's hit a few in the middle of the bat as well as the edge so far.
1539: A lot of people may not know it, but many of the players in action at the WACA will be playing some part in the Big Bash League this summer - the likes of Dale Steyn, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Faf du Plessis are all signed up for Big Bash teams. You can watch EVERY GAME of the Big Bash League Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports!
1535: As the players gets stuck into some food, Paul of Wyong gets stuck into the Aussie players: This test match will be over within 3-4 days we're woeful.
Antony says: I agree the Test will be over in 3-4 days, but it's far from certain who the winner will be at the end of it. Will Paul be made to eat his words in a couple of days' time?
1531: LUNCH (AUS 7-118, Wade 60*, Hastings 2*) That's the end of a session that completely belonged to South Africa. It took just a few balls for Dale Steyn to remove David Warner, and after that it was a procession of wickets as Lyon, Ponting and Clarke came and went in the blink of an eye. Hussey put up a bit of resistance but at the moment Matthew Wade looks like Australia's only saviour. Stay with us through the lunch break as we discuss all the big issues - join the conversation by sending in an email or leaving a comment at the bottom of the page!
1529: Philander will bowl the final over before lunch, with Hastings on strike. As he does that, Andre of Dubai says: As a South African, I have no love for Ricky Ponting, but I do respect what he has done for Australia and the game. When Gary Kirsten retired I watched him walk off the field with tears in my eyes, he was all intact, with Ricky it feels like Mohammad Ali coming back too often and Ricky deserves better than that !!!
Antony says: In some way I agree Andre, but you just get the feeling Punter has one last significant dig up his sleeve.
1524: FOUR! Wade goes very hard at a short one that wasn't quite wide enough to cut from Philander, but luckily he swung hard enough that his top edge goes flying over the slips and into the boundary rope. Lucky. Dale Steyn comes back into the attack. AUS 7-116
1522: CLOSE! Hastings pushes the ball to point and takes off for a quick single, and ends up having to go for the big dive to get home safely. That's his first run in Test cricket.
1520: pk of Sydney says: Dammit our saviour Imran Tahir isn't playing. Why did Robin Peterson have to play? Tahir could've given some hope to the Aussie batsmen!
Antony says: Haha well pk, Peterson does seem to be filling the Tahir role quite nicely at the moment. Wade is loving Peterson's bowling!
1517: FOUR! Great shot from Wade there, he punches one off the back foot through the covers for four. AUS 7-111
1514: CLOSE! Wade nudges one from Peterson off his hip and it almost hits Hashim Amla's hand at short leg, but just evades him.
1512: SIX! FIFTY! Yet another six from Wade off Peterson, and that brings up a much-needed 50. Once again it was from a lofted drive over wide mid-on. Wade needs to kick on now and stay with the tail. AUS 7-106
1509: Zoro of Christchurch says: Ahahahahah, NZ's batsmen are better than Australia's! Hell even our bowlers are better! Got to love it
Antony says: Perhaps that's taking it a touch too far? I doubt many Aussies would dare say the Wallabies forwards are better than the All Blacks!
1507: WICKET! (Hussey 12, c Smith b Morkel, AUS 7-100) Just as Australia were wresting back the momentum, South Africa strike again! Morkel bowls a good length ball that moves away a fraction, Hussey edges it, and Graeme Smith does the rest at first slip. That's a big wicket for the Proteas, and brings debutant John Hastings to the crease.
1503: FOUR! Another great shot from Wade brings up the 50 partnership with Hussey. Peterson drops slightly short and Wade punches it to the cover boundary. He's on 44 off just 47 balls now. AUS 6-98
1501: Mark says: Hi Antony, Can you remind the readers/commenters that the Saffers were also 6/70s and made 225? The Saffers had Faf who is like Hussey, determined to play and score and the help of Peterson and the tail enders. Australia still have Hastings and Johnson and Johnson has shown he loves batting at the WACA.
Antony says: Very good point Mark, and I think you just reminded everyone for me!
1458: SIX! Another splendid shot from Matt Wade! He dances down the pitch to a flighted ball from Pieterson and smashes it over the long-on boundary for six. The very next ball he nearly gets himself out by top edging a sweep, but the ball doesn't reach the man at short fine leg. AUS 6-94
1455: CLOSE! Morkel digs one in short to Hussey, who gets caught in between ducking and playing a shot and ends up letting the ball hit his bat. Luckily for him, it falls short of the man at leg gully.
1454: Rippersportspro of NSW says: Familiar situation at the moment ... Hopefully Hussey can come to the rescue again like he has done a few times over the years.
Antony says: This situation just screams Mr Cricket's name - this is the kind of innings he's built for.
1450: FOUR! That's a very confident stroke from Wade. Peterson gives the ball some flight and Wade gets onto one knee and plays a cracking sweep shot that goes all the way along the deck to the square leg boundary. AUS 6-88
1447: Here's a surprising bowling change from Graeme Smith - spinner Robin Peterson comes in to bowl, replacing Philander.
1444: Mouse says: This is the real Steyn, not the imitation version we saw in the first two Tests. Fast, accurate skilful and mean. Fantastic bowler.
Antony says: I totally agree, Mouse (Mickey or Mini?). His spell this morning was absolutely devastating. Fast bowling at its best.
1440: Good fielding! Wade plays a nice pull shot that looks destined for the square leg boundary until somehow Morkel uses his Inspector Gadget arms to pull the ball back just inches from the rope. The batsmen run three. AUS 6-79
1434: And as the players have a drink after a frenetic opening hour, Paul of Wyong gets fired up: The Chairman of selectors John Inverarity and his fellow selectors have got to address our BRITTLE top order IMMEDIATELY!. I'm not convinced that Warner is made of test material. What a shocking shot knowing we were in trouble. Cowan also has to go, he puts his teammates under pressure with such a poor strike rate.
Antony says: Think that might be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, Paul - Warner showed how effective his style can be just a week ago and Cowan showed his method works with his hundred in the first Test.
1431: FOUR! Shot! Wade crunches a cover drive off a ball that's overpitched from Morkel. The Aussie 'keeper has raced to 20 now. He nudges the next ball to square leg for two. AUS 6-73
1427: SIX! What a shot from Wade! Philander drops short and Wade absolutely crunches his hook shot, and the ball makes it all the way over the square leg rope for six. FOUR! Wade follows it up with a back foot cover drive that catches a thick edge and flies exactly to where third slip would be - but he isn't there! That was lucky for Wade. AUS 6-66
1423: FOUR! Classic cover drive from Hussey there, Steyn overpitches ever so slightly and Mr Cricket drives it beautifully between cover and mid-off. AUS 6-56
1420: Meanwhile, the debate over Warner's wicket goes on. Mark says: So how come they give Warner out but not for Smith? It's these inconsistencies that screw the game over.
Mr Cricket will do it again of WACA says: Agree even though i think warner hit the ball how come Smith exact same thing is not given out quite stupid I think.
Antony says: I agree that incosistency is the biggest problem with the DRS at the moment, but have to say that I think the decision with Warner this morning was the logical one.
1416: Morne Morkel comes into the attack in place of Philander. Hussey grabs a quick single off the first ball of the over.
1413: FOUR! Wade goes hard at a wide one from Steyn, it cathces a bit of the edge and goes through the gully for four. That was uppishly played. AUS 6-51
1411: A few thoughts on what will either be Ponting's last or second-last innings...
Parko of Queanbeyan says: Utter DISGRACE and embarrassing - what a way to send a Champion off.
jc says: thank god it's ponting's last game. getting embarrassing!
1408: CLOSE! Wow, what a chance that was! Hussey goes for a suicide single and left Matthew Wade way short, but luckily for him Hashim Amla's throw was wide of the stumps. What was Hussey thinking? AUS 6-46
1406: It didn't happen all that long ago, but Warner's wicket is a distant memory now. Even so, here's what RB of Brisbane says: I doubt we'll see a worse shot all summer than what we saw from Warner there. Absolutely ridiculous.
Antony says: Defintiely won't be pretty viewing for Warner when he's reviewing that later on.
1403: WICKET! Clarke 5, c de Villiers b Steyn, AUS 6-45) Now Clarke is gone! What a brilliant delivery that was from Steyn, it angled in and then swung away late to catch the edge of Clarke's bat and present an easy catch the wicketkeeper. Australia are in huge trouble here, with the world's No.1 batsman back in the pavillion. In comes Matthew Wade.
1359: Mr Cricket, Michael Hussey, comes to the crease with Australia in big trouble here. Can he play another trademark match-saving innings? As an aside, I wonder if anyone else would have got away with using a review on an lbw call that was so obviously out?
1355: WICKET! (Ponting 4, lbw Philander, AUS 5-43) Oh dear, Ponting has been given out! The ball hit him flush on the pad and looked to be hitting middle and off. The umpire had no hesitation giving it out but after consulting with Clarke, Ponting calls for the REVIEW! But the replay shows it was hitting middle stump and was absolutely plumb.
1348: Croweater of Adelaide says: Isn't it time for Pup to bat at 3? Especially with the retirement of Punter, I think Clarke should come in at first drop and Mr. Cricket promoted to no 4. I mean, they're practically batting there already with the recent top order collapses. I think it's time to stop wasting time with top order experiments and when we select guys like Quiney or Khwaja, we should bat them at 5 or 6 instead of throwing them in the deep end. What do you think Antony?
Antony says: I agree that it's ideal for someone like Khawaja to be eased into Test cricket via no.6, just as Ponting was early in his career, but I don't think Clarke is suited to No.3 - and more importantly, I doubt he would want to change anything about his game at the moment.
1346: SHOT! Ponting goes for a signature pull shot off Philander, and it goes high to square leg but not quite all the way to the boundary, and his picks up three.
1342: WICKET! (Lyon 7, c du Plessis, b Steyn, AUS 4-35) And there's another one! Steyn bowls a good length ball to Lyon that just straightens a bit, catches a thick edge and flies to du Plessis at gully. Australia are four down now and in trouble, but they've got Ponting and Clarke in the middle.
1341: CLOSE! Ooh, Ponting clips his first ball in the air towards mid-wicket but it falls short of the fielder. That looked like a nervy shot. He follows it up with a push to cover and scrambles through for a single.
1339: Ponting strides to the crease with a huge cheer in the background. This is a massive moment.
1336: WICKET! (Warner 13, c de Villiers b Steyn, AUS 3-34) Warner goes hard at the first ball from Steyn and feathers it through to the keeper. The South Africans go up as one and eventually the umpire gives it out, but Warner isn't convinced and calls for the REVIEW! There was definitely a noise, and hotspot is showing a mark on the bat, but neither the sound nor the mark give a strong indication it was ball on bat. But where would the sound have come from? Either way, the third umpire makes the call and it is OUT!
1334: CLOSE! Philander beats the outside edge of Lyon's bat with an absolute peach of a delivery. I feel like I've seen that before. Oh yeah, it was last night. Dale Steyn to bowl the second over of the day now.
1330: OK, the players are out in the middle and it will be Vernon Philander to bowl the first over of the day, with David Warner on strike. Warner blocks the first ball.
1326: Arthur kicks off the conversation with an email: What is it about the whippet the Aussies call "Gary" Lyon???? It is easy to see why Australian selectors and the team itself just love him to bits. I have to admit I have always preferred Nathan Hauritz to Gary, but today I learned a lot about the Slim Jim of Australian cricket. Here's a statement. Ricky Ponting wouldn't be retiring if he had a forward defensive like Gary's. Ed Cowan and Shane Watson would still be batting if they had a forward defensive like Gary's. Technically, it is the best forward defensive of all the Australian bats, even Mike Hussey.
Antony says: Those are some bold statements, Arthur!
1321: Don't forget to join in the action by sending a question or comment to blogs@foxsports.com.au or by leaving a comment - or sending in your message of support to Ricky Ponting - at the bottom of the page.
1315: Hello and welcome to foxsports.com.au's LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the WACA Ground in Perth. Antony Pinshaw here, looking forward to sharing a fascinating day of Test cricket with you. David Warner and Nathan Lyon are set to resume their stays at the crease shortly, but it can't be too long before the man of the moment, Ricky Ponting, will stride to the crease. How will Punter go in his final Test?
