Pressure Back on Aussies as Ponting, Clarke Fall
Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Johannesburg: Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke shared a century partnership as Australia fought back after a poor start on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday. Australia were 194 for five at tea.
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Ponting (83) and Clarke (68) put on 113 for the fourth wicket with attacking stroke play after Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel had reduced them to 38 for three.
Fast bowler Dale Steyn ripped out both Australian openers as the tourists were put under pressure after winning the toss and batting in conditions which favoured swing bowling, with thunder clouds building up during the afternoon.
Steyn had Clarke caught behind shortly before tea to have figures of three for 60.But Steyn could have had his third wicket shortly before lunch when Australian captain Ponting, on 40, survived a straightforward chance to South African counterpart Graeme Smith at first slip. He hooked the next ball for six.
Ponting also survived the first challenge of an umpiring decision in a match played by either side.When Ponting was on 70 he was given not out by umpire Billy Bowden when the South Africans thought he had been caught behind off an inside edge.
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