South Africa pacemen rattle Aussies in late burst

ADELAIDE: South Africa’s pacemen routed Australia’s batsmen with five late wickets to leave the hosts reeling at 111-5 at the close of day three yesterday and buoy the tourists’ hopes of pulling off an unlikely victory in the second test.

Dismissed for 388 at tea to trail Australia’s massive first innings total by 162 runs, Rory Kleinveldt took three wickets in a withering pace assault, with fellow quicks Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel taking a wicket each as the Adelaide Oval wicket bared its teeth late in the day.

First innings hero Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey survived a nervous few overs as shadows crept across the ground, with the hosts stuttering to a still-precarious 273-run lead.

Clarke, who scored a second consecutive double-century in the first innings, was on nine, with Hussey on five after a pulsating day in baking heat.

David Warner and Ed Cowan pushed the lead to 239, before Kleinveldt ended their 77-run opening stand amid a superb burst of swing bowling.

Kleinveldt, a late selection following a back injury to Vernon Philander, removed Warner for 41, the pugnacious opener miscuing a swipe off his pads to produce a simple catch to Du Plessis at extra cover.

The two-test paceman Kleinveldt then had Rob Quiney feathering an edge to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers in the same over, the Australian number three slumping to his second duck of the Test following a nine in his sole innings in Brisbane.

Quiney made it a third in quick succession by bowling Cowan through the gate, before Dale Steyn had the out-of-form Ricky Ponting out for 16 when the former Australia captain played onto his stumps.

Nightwatchman Peter Siddle strode out to the crease to meet Clarke but headed back quickly, managing just one run, after nicking to De Villiers off Morkel.

The powerhouse display brought South Africa back into the match.