Australia in SA
Aussies' double breakthrough
2009-03-09 16:04
Durban - Fast bowler Peter Siddle made a double breakthrough as Australia pushed for a series-clinching win on the fourth day of the second Test at Kingsmead here on Monday.
South Africa were 145 for two at tea. Siddle dismissed opening batsmen Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla during a hostile post-lunch spell.
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 three-match series.
McKenzie and Amla put on 63 and defied the Australian bowlers until the 23rd over when McKenzie pushed at a lifting delivery just outside his off stump and edged a catch to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
New batsman Jacques Kallis was dropped first ball off a similar delivery from Siddle, edging a chance to a diving Marcus North at first slip.
Siddle struck again half an hour later when Amla edged a drive to Australian captain Ricky Ponting at second slip.
Kallis took advantage of his let-off and was unbeaten on 30 after batting for 98 minutes and facing 65 balls. He and AB de Villiers (25 not out) put on an unbeaten 65 for the third wicket.
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.
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.