Australia faces difficult task of saving Cape Town Test

Posted by on Mar 21, 2009 in Cricket

Australia finished the third day’s play of the third and final Test Match at Newlands in Cape Town at 102 for 2 (in 36 overs) in their second innings. The task ahead of them is a mountainous one having conceded a first innings lead of 442 runs! Simon Katich is batting on 44 and Michael Hussey is on 13 at stumps.

The Proteas had earlier gone onto score 651 all out in 154.3 overs after they had resumed the third day on 404 for 3 in 102 overs. Skipper Kallis ended his knock on 102 while the other overnight batsman AB de Villiers helped himself to a sensational 163 from just 196 balls with 12 fours and 7 sixes. Albie Morkel on Test Debut came up with an entertaining knock of 58 from 71 balls with 10 fours and a six. It was a horrible debut for the Australian leg spinner Bryce McGain as he finished with sorry figures of 18-2-149-0!

In their second essay, the Aussies have lost the important wicket of Ricky Ponting (12) along with the inform opener Phillip Hughes  (32). With two full days left in the match, the only way the Aussies can save this match is through long weather interruptions. They wouldn’t be praying a lot though as the three-test series was already sealed 2-0 by them.

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