PERTH, 19 December 2005 — Australia were in command of the first Test against South Africa scoring 310-4 in their second innings at stumps yesterday.
The Australians dug-in against the tourists, allowing them just three wickets for the day after resuming in the morning at 38-1 at the WACA Ground.
At stumps, the Australians were 272 runs ahead of South Africa’s first innings total of 296.
The Australian’s much-maligned middle order battened down, unlike the first two days, which saw the wickets of both teams fall freely, with a series of partnerships putting the home side in a comfortable position.
Test newcomers Brad Hodge and Michael Hussey added an unbeaten 126 runs for the fifth wicket.
Hodge, playing in only his third Test, grafted his innings of 91 off 184 balls with seven fours — surpassing his previous best score of 60 against the West Indies.
Hussey was the other not out batsman on 54, after he was put down by AB de Villiers off the bowling of Charl Langeveldt shortly before stumps. Australia’s batting was painfully slow at times, with the run rate sometimes less than two an over.
South Africa were denied the opportunity to gain the upper-hand when Ricky Ponting was spared while on four.
The captain had attempted a pull shot off Langeveldt, only to hit a high catch to Jacques Rudolph at forward square leg, who took it brilliantly with his left hand.
But West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove, a former international football referee, ruled the delivery a no-ball, although replays showed Langeveldt’s front foot was safely on the crease.
It was a crucial moment in the match as Ponting went on to make 53 before being caught behind off Makhaya Ntini.
Meanwhile, Doctrove later apologized to South African captain Graeme Smith after making a blunder that saw Australian skipper Ricky Ponting granted an extra life while on four runs.
Hodge was also fortunate to stay the course, after he was dropped on 13 at third slip by Justin Kemp — again off the bowling of Langeveldt.
Nightwatchman Brett Lee was the first Australian wicket to fall yesterday after adding a useful 32 with opener Justin Langer.
Langer, then joined at the crease by Ponting, strained his left hamstring just before the lunch break and returned after the interval with fellow opener Matthew Hayden as his runner.
But he added just four runs to his tally before chopping paceman Shaun Pollock onto his stumps for 47. Australia then seemed in a potentially precarious position at 129-3.
The left-hander was taken to hospital for scans on his leg, but the results were not immediately known, with the second Test starting in Melbourne on Dec. 26.
Ponting’s dismissal was the only other wicket to fall in the session. He and Hodge contributed a 55-run partnership when Hussey arrived at the crease.
For South Africa, Pollock managed to get some movement off the wicket and toiled hard finishing the day with 1-60. Langeveldt bowled well, finishing with 2-71.
