Australia vs South Africa - opening Test ends in a draw at Brisbane - Cricket News Update
A herculean innings by Michael Clarke in the first Test put Australia in the driving seat against South Africa at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Clinging on to a lead of 37 runs with 6 wickets in hand, the Kangaroos were all set for the final day.
Clarke and Michael Hussey resumed their innings at well settled scores of 218 and 86 respectively. The duo kept their sensible streak going as Australia reached the 500-run mark. Hussey completed his century from just 128 deliveries before he was sent back home by Morne Morkel.
On the other hand, the dressing room lauded another remarkable performance by their captain, who conquered the 250-run milestone. Shortly afterwards, Australia decided to declare their innings, just before the drinks break, on a total of 565 for 5.
The Protease kicked off their second innings by losing an early wicket. It was Alviro Petersen who got out, caught on the bowling of James Pattinson for 5 runs. Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla batted well to add a total of 49 runs on the board until Smith fell to Pattinson as well. He was able to contribute 23 runs to the total.
The Proteas, still facing a 60-run deficit, had all eyes on Jacques Kallis to save the day. He rose up to the task, and alongside Amla, put up a 47-run stand. Eventually Amla was dismissed by Peter Siddle for 38 runs, leaving South Africa at 102 for 3.
Australian hopes got high when Kallis was picked up by Nathan Lyon, just one short of his half century. However, AB de Villiers, with the aid of Jacques Rudolph, kept the score board ticking till 165.
Rudolph was given out lbw to Lyon with a score of just 11 runs under his belt, before the day was eventually called off. The books for South Africa were closed at an aggregate of 166 runs with the loss of 5 wickets as the match was declared a draw.
Michael Clarke was the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 259-run knock.
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