Australia v. Sth. Africa. Test series.

[Donny]

Warner, Clarke make it Aussies’ day in Cape Town.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat in the deciding third Test, against Sth. Africa.

3/331. Michael Clarke 92*, Steve Smith 50*, Dave Warner 135, Alex Doolan 20, Chris Rogers 25.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/AussieCricket/278637879094

[Johnno75]

Great batting by the Aussies. Warner set the tempo and but SA on the back foot early on. Have to take your hat off to Clarke. Under pressure with his form and copped plenty from Morkel and not only survived the barage but then put him to the sword late in the day.

SA in trouble considering Steyn will be limited in his bowling if he bowls at all and the lack of a class spinner will be a problem for them in the 2nd innings as this deck dries out.

The Morkel vs Clarke battle just before Tea was enthrawling to watch. It was hostile and at times Clarke appeared to have no idea but he gritted itvout and got in line each ball and survived because he is all class. Even Warner copped a brute of a bouncer to his head to which he pulled behind square with his EYES closed.

The only criticism of Morkel was while his spell to Clarke was hostile it was all short and around the wicket and not once did he throw a change up or a full ball across Clarke to see if he could temp him into a waft kutside off stump. Clarke was batting deep in the crease and was exepecting each ball to be short and Morkel obliged. He got too predictable and Clarke hung on till tea then attacked later when he tired. It was classic test cricket.

[Donny]

Good get, Johnno.

I was going to comment on Morkel's effort but you said it all. Pup is still there.

-------------------------------

3/338. Clarke 99*, Smith 50*

[Donny]

What a shot !!

Steve Smith effortlessly puts Philander back over hit head for a six.

[Donny]

Pup leads from the front in Cape Town.

Michael Clarke's 27th. Test century was certainly a memorable one - and will be moreso if Australia wins the Test.

His impressive conversion rate must also be pointed out. 27 centuries. 27 fifties. Few Test batsmen in history can lay claim to numbers like that.

3/377. Clarke 111*, Steve Smith 78*.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/AussieCricket/278637879094

[Donny]

4/401. Smith plays on to Elgar, for 84.

Clarke 125*. The partnership was 184 for the 4th. wicket.

[Donny]

4/432 at lunch.

Clarke 137*, Watson 21*.

[Donny]

Watson out for a 32 ball 40. 3 sixes.

Clarke 149*.

5/471.

[Donny]

7/494.

Clarke 161*, Harris 4*.

[Donny]

Smith fails again after Pup declares.

Michael Clarke again put his team ahead of personal glory (he was 39 runs short of a double century) by declaring on the overnight score of 7/494, in the deciding third Test against Sth. Africa, in Cape Town.

Ryan Harris then dismissed the Proteas' captain, Graeme Smith, for 5. SA 1/8.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/AussieCricket/278637879094

[Donny]

Pattoooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!

Elgar gone. Top delivery. Top catch by Braddin.

2/42.

[Donny]

Alviro Petersen gorrrrrrrrrrrnnn for 53, to Mitchell Johnson. 3/95.

[Donny]

BIG wicket. Harris - 2/18 - bowls Hashim Amla for 38.

SA 4/121.

[Johnno75]

De Villiers gone to Mitch 5/133.

Right there lies the big difference to Morkel. Mitch pushed both batsmen back with the short ball. Then he throws the fuller wide one across the batsmen and tempted him into the drive and a thick edge to Clarke.

[Donny]

Aussie quicks gain the upper hand.

Ryan Harris (2/21), Mitchell Johnson (2/25) and James Pattinson (1/43) backed up Michael Clarke's overnight declaration (7/494) with vital wickets in the third and deciding Test against Sth. Africa, in Cape Town.

SA 5/133.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/AussieCricket/278637879094