LIVE – Australia v South Africa: 2nd Test – Openers give solid start to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 – Match Update
Australia got off to a fabulous start against South Africa in the second Test of the two match series at the New Wanderers, Johannesburg in South Africa on Friday, November 18, 2011.
The tourists started their first innings on day two of the match with opener Phil Hughes and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558. They batted extremely well, scoring a century partnership for the first wicket and will look to continue dominating the opposition for the rest of
the day.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 would have expected some early wickets at the start of the day, but the playing conditions were ideal for the Aussie batsmen.
There was some bounce in the wicket, but it did not cause many problems for the batting side. Unlike the Cape Town pitch, Johannesburg offered plenty of support for the batters, as the ball did not swing enough.
The Australian openers would have been under immense pressure at the start of the innings, as they have been unable to perform consistently over the past few months.
All-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 has been criticised lately for not being able to score big runs whereas his partner Hughes has been vulnerable against the new ball.
Both batsmen needed to score some runs today and luckily, their prayers were answered. They came out with a positive intent and did not allow the opposition’s bowlers to settle down.
At the end of 25 overs, the tourists reached 125 runs without losing a single wicket. They now trail by only 141 runs. The openers also reached half-centuries with Watson and Hughes unbeaten on 59 and 58 respectively.
The latter has enjoyed a bit of luck as well in the day, as he was dropped once by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692.
The ball had hit the inside edge of Hughes’ bat and went to the hands of wicketkeeper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MV-Boucher-c2048, who was not certain while appealing.
South Africa’s skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473 had a little chat with the keeper and eventually decided not to review the decision of the umpire, which was not-out.
Spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir might be the answer to the home team’s problems today, but will need some luck as the opposition’s openers are well set.
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