South Africa survive all day to draw with Australia
South Africa has survived for a draw on the fifth and final day of the First Test match against Australia at
the WACA Ground in Perth.
Jacques Rudolph and Justin Kemp were the heroes for the tourists, as they shared an important fifth
wicket stand throughout the entire second session and the first hour after tea.
The partnership only produced 112 runs but lasted for 215 minutes that helped thwart the Australian
bowlers.
Brad Hodge won the man of the match award for his superb double century in Australia's second innings.
The Proteas resumed overnight at 2-85, and were next to no hope of scoring the 406 runs that was still
required.
Herschelle Gibbs (33) and Ashwell Prince were the two wickets that fell in the first session. Gibbs edged
Brett Lee's bowling to slips fielder Shane Warne, while Prince was trapped lbw to the leg spinner just before
the lunch break.
South Africa was struggling at 4-140 when lunch was taken.
After lunch, Rudolph and Kemp patiently carved out just 50 runs in the two-hour middle session. Frustrated,
Warne resorted to excessive appealing in a desperate attempt for a wicket but was denied for all as the
umpires refused to cave in.
Rudolph notched his 50 and was fortunate to survive a yorker ball from Brett Lee. Kemp also survived a run
out attempt by Glenn McGrath that narrowly missed the stumps in the final over before tea. South Africa
reached the final break at 4-190.
|
Test Series - First Test |
| AUSTRALIA |
258 & 8d/528 |
| SOUTH AFRICA |
296 & 5/287 |
(Second Innings)
| Jacques Rudolph | 102* |
| Justin Kemp | 55 |
| Shane Warne | 3/83 |
| Nathan Bracken | 1/37 |
|
@ the WACA Ground, Perth
Match Summary :: Day Five
Match Drawn |
Both batsmen played some shots in the final session as the draw appeared more likely with every ball
bowled.
Kemp recorded a well deserved maiden fifty before Warne finally made the breakthrough, Kemp (55) flicked
the ball to Ricky Ponting at silly point.
Mark Boucher gave Rudolph the support he needed to add a fifth Test century to his stats count, while the
pair played out the final 12 overs of the day.
Rudolph remained unbeaten on 102 with Boucher not out 13. Warne was the best of the bowlers taking 3-83.
The Second Test begins next Monday (Boxing Day) in Melbourne.
Full scorecard available
here.
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