DURBAN, South Africa, 26 March 2006 — Jacques Kallis made an attacking half-century as South Africa fought back on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead yesterday.
South Africa were on 140 for two at the close in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 369 after a bad start in which they lost their first two wickets for 10 runs.
Michael Hussey was mainly responsible for Australia reaching a respectable total, making 75 as the world champions added a valuable 141 runs to their overnight total of 228 for five on a pitch which captain Ricky Ponting described as two-paced with variable bounce.
With Australia leading the three-match series 1-0, their total looked good when South African captain Graeme Smith was out first ball and Herschelle Gibbs soon followed him. But Kallis and AB de Villiers went on the attack to post a century stand in 102 minutes off 151 balls before going on the defensive as the light deteriorated toward the end of the day. Bad light ended play 8.4 overs early. Smith’s poor form against Australia continued when Brett Lee had him caught at third slip. In nine Test innings against Australia this season he has scored only 190 runs with a highest score of 39.
Herschelle Gibbs was dropped by Ponting at second slip off Lee two balls later but made only nine before he had his off stump knocked out of the ground by Michael Kasprowicz, with a ball which cut back and kept slightly low.
Kallis was in superb form as he stroked his way to 50 off 49 balls with ten fours. He finished the day with 72 not out off 102 balls. De Villiers, who failed twice in the first Test in Cape Town, was on 48 not out off 129 balls.
Ponting did not use seam bowler Stuart Clark, man of the match in the first Test, until the 40th over of the innings.
