imgLogo
Login |  RSS  RSS Feed
You are at › Home › Sports
February 7, 2012   Print  Email


South Africa struggles without its captain

Fights a losing battle against Australia

Posted by Agencies at 11:29 AM GMT on Mar 09, 2009

DURBAN (AFP): South Africa's back was against the wall today as Hashim Amla and Neil McKenzie resisted Australia's initial onslaught with the new ball on the fourth day of the second Test at Kingsmead.

South Africa were 35 for no wicket at lunch. The hosts were set 546 to win, but a more realistic objective was to survive a potential 170 overs to prevent Australia from taking a winning 2-0 lead in the series.

Amla opened with McKenzie in the absence of injured captain Graeme Smith, who suffered a broken bone in his right hand while batting on Saturday. The pair batted cautiously for 17 overs before lunch.

McKenzie was given out leg before wicket against Ben Hilfenhaus off the last ball of the fourth over but called for a referral. Umpire Billy Bowden's decision was overturned by television umpire Steve Bucknor because replays showed the ball would probably have gone over the top of the stumps.

Australia batted for 35 minutes at the start of play, adding 39 runs in 7.4 overs. Opening batsman Phil Hughes went from 136 to 160 with audacious stroke play before he slashed a catch to third man off Makhaya Ntini.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting declared when new batsman Marcus North fell without scoring, edging Dale Steyn to third slip.
Add Comment
Top Stories› More
    World› More
    Society› More
    LifeStyle› More
    Business› More
    SciTech› More
    Sports› More

    Home  |  World  |  Society  |  Lifestyle  |  Business  |  Scitech  |  Sports  | 

    Advertise with Us  | Company Info  |  Privacy Policy  | Terms of Service  | Send Feedback Copyright © 2009 The News. All rights reserved.