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Last Updated: Nov 2nd, 2009 - 17:32:57 |
ABC News - The tourists reached stumps at a respectable 5 for 254, after slumping to a perilous 3 for 38 in the morning session and 5 for 182 before tea.
Test debutant Marcus North (47) and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (37) steered Australia into the sheds with an unbeaten 72-run partnership before bad light stopped play at the New Wanderers Stadium after only 68 overs.
North and Haddin's was the second of two crucial partnerships for Australia, after Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke earlier rescued the innings from a dreadful start with a 113-run fourth-wicket stand.
Australian won the toss and elected to bat after naming three Test debutants in North, Phillip Hughes and Ben Hilfenhaus whilst also including all-rounder Andrew McDonald ahead of fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
But it was far from a dream debut for Hughes who departed for a duck with the fourth delivery of the match, before Simon Katich (3) and Michael Hussey (4) followed soon after.
Dale Steyn proved to be the chief new-ball destroyer yet again, dismissing Hughes and Katich before ending the day with figures of 3 for 82.
Hughes's attempted to swat away a wayward bouncer only to be caught behind, a shot borne out of both inexperience and nerves by the young New South Welshman.
Katich's dismissal came after a magnificent, one-handed, diving catch by Neil McKenzie at gully while Hussey nicked the probing Morne Morkel straight to Jacques Kallis at second slip.
Ponting stands tall
The stage was set for yet another heroic innings from Ponting, and the Australia captain obliged with a defiant, if not at times fortunate, 83.
Ponting mixed his usual early streakiness with an array of drives and pull shots before being given a life by opposite number Graeme Smith on 40 before lunch.
Ever the opportunist, Ponting showed his intent by hooking the next ball for six over fine leg as he tackled a challenging pitch.
Ponting also survived the match's first third umpire referral when the South Africans appealed for caught behind after a beautiful off cutter by Morkel.
The replay justified umpire Billy Bowden's not out decision for caught behind.
Ponting went on with the job after the luncheon break with 11 boundaries but was undone by a devilish piece of swing bowling by Makhaya Ntini.
Such was the extreme movement through the air and off the pitch, Ponting did not even offer a shot and stood in disbelief after the ball crashed into his wickets after brushing his pads.
North on track
Momentum then swung back in the direction of the Proteas when Clarke flailed wildly at a wide Steyn delivery to edge behind to Mark Boucher for 63, just before tea.
But cool heads from the in-form North and Haddin and some tiring South African quicks gave Australia the chance to fight its way back into the Test match in the last session.
North, coming off an impressive showing in the warm-up match in Potchefstroom, played with all the experience of an accomplished Test middle order batsman.
The Western Australian captain deflected and guided his way through the tricky late session under lights while Haddin continued to enforce his aggressive style after his recent exploits in the one-day arena.
Steyn was easily the pick of the bowlers, taking full advantage of the overcast conditions and early life in the Wanderers pitch.
But the likes of Morkel and Ntini struggled for consistency, spinner Paul Harris hardly challenged and Kallis could only manage four overs after being struck down by a lower back injury.
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