Nel rips heart out of brittle Australian middle order
A superb four-wicket haul from paceman Andre Nel has brought South Africa back from the brink, with the
Proteas having Australia on the ropes at 8-239 at stumps on day one of the Boxing Day Test.
On cricket's biggest day of the year, a massive crowd of over 70,000 made their way to the MCG in
anticipation for a classic start. However, the crowd were left waiting 30 minutes as the commencement of play
was delayed due to a wet pitch.
A massive roar greeted debutant Phil Jacques and fellow opener Matthew Hayden, but Jacques' first innings
in Test cricket didn't last long with the New South Welshman caught for two.
Shaun Pollock produced a brilliant delivery around the ribcage which had Jacques trying to fend the ball
away, but the flamboyant left-hander was caught after an inside edge hit his pad and Jacques Rudolph had safe
hands.
Australia's hero from day one, Ricky Ponting strode to the crease and was intent on making a mark as soon
as he came out to the wicket. The Australian skipper presented a late Christmas gift to Andre Nel when he
spooned an attempted pull shot directly towards Nel.
But Nel spilled an easy chance off the bowling of Jacques Kallis when the Tasmanian was just 17, and the
enigmatic number three, peeled off an extra 100 runs much to the dismay of Kallis.
Soon after he was dropped, Ponting stroked three boundaries and began to make the Proteas pay. His partner
in crime, Hayden, survived several LBW shouts before beginning a trademark innings.
|
Test Series - Second Test |
| AUSTRALIA |
8/239 |
(First Innings)
| Ricky Ponting | 117 |
| Matthew Hayden | 65 |
| Andre Nel | 4/58 |
| Shaun Pollock | 3/46 |
|
| SOUTH AFRICA |
|
@ the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Match Summary :: Day One |
A superb 152-run partnership between Hayden and Ponting came to an end when the burly Queenslander edged
one behind.
Ponting continued his great knock and brought up his century with a pull down to fine-leg as the massive
crowd rose for a standing ovation.
Pollock's wicket of Hayden sparked the visitors, who took the last six wickets for 63, as a fired-up Nel
ripped the heart out of the Australian middle order, with hometown heroes Brad Hodge and Shane Warne both
failing in.
Play will resume at 10:30am (AEDT) tomorrow.
Full scorecard available
here.
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