Hometown pacer leaves SA tottering in second Test

MELBOURNE, Dec 27: South Africa found themselves in desperate trouble on the second day of the second Test after Michael Clarke guided Australia to a healthy first-innings total at the MCG here on Saturday.

Replying to Australia’s 394, South Africa’s 1-0 lead in the three-match series is now under threat after the tourists collapsed to 198 for seven at stumps with paceman Peter Siddle grabbing three vital wickets in front of his Victorian fans.

The Proteas trail by 196 runs on the first innings with young Jean-Paul Duminy, in his second Test, batting on 34 and tailender Paul Harris on eight.

Home-town hero Siddle (3-24 from 13 overs) and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz (2-49 off 20), both playing in their third Tests and yet to establish regular places in the team, outshone pace spearhead Brett Lee (0-68).

Left-armer Mitchell Johnson continued his excellent form with 2-53.

Siddle dismissed Neil McKenzie (0) and A.B. de Villiers (7) cheaply and also took the prize wicket of South African skipper Graeme Smith for 62.

The 24-year-old Siddle had the crowd roaring after crashing into McKenzie’s off stump in the second over. Johnson replaced Lee in the ninth over and struck with his third ball, claiming Hashim Amla (19) brilliantly caught at gully by Andrew Symonds.

South Africa’s anchor man Jacques Kallis was on 26 when he fell caught behind off his gloves off Hauritz on the last ball before tea to leave South Africa at 102-3.

Siddle broke through in the first over of his second spell when Smith, who is carrying an elbow injury, was caught behind.

In the third over of Siddle’s spell, the former junior woodchopper had his third victim when de Villiers lost his off stump.

Hauritz picked up another important wicket when he had Mark Boucher (3) caught at square leg by Mike Hussey as South Africa lost four wickets for 39 runs during the period.

Johnson showed the gap between himself and Lee by replacing the right-armer late in the day and bowling Morne Morkel for 21 with the first ball of his spell.

Earlier, Australia’s tail wagged vigorously despite pace ace Dale Steyn’s 5-87.

Resuming at 280 for six, Michael Clarke advanced from 36 to an unbeaten 88 before last man Siddle fell for 19 after the pair added precious 42 runs.

In between, Lee and Clarke contributed 45 for the seventh wicket before Steyn removed Lee (21) and Johnson (0) within four balls.

The South African speedster’s next breakthrough came in unusual fashion when Hauritz (12) was taken low down at first slip by Smith.

The South African captain gestured for a video replay. Players are forbidden to call for replays, although Smith is unlikely to be fined.

Umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Doctrove instructed TV umpire Bruce Oxenford to give a verdict and the Australian official eventually gave the batsman out.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA (1st Innings, overnight 280-6):

M.L. Hayden c Duminy b Ntini 8

S.M. Katich b Steyn 54

R.T. Ponting c Amla b Harris 101

M.E.K. Hussey c Boucher b Steyn 0

M.J. Clarke not out 88

A. Symonds c Kallis b Morkel 27

B.J. Haddin c Smith b Ntini 40

B. Lee c Kallis b Steyn 21

M.G. Johnson b Steyn 0

N.M. Hauritz c Smith b Steyn 12