Kleinveldt fiery spell keeps SA in the hunt
by Ant Sims 24 November 2012, 09:30
After being bowled out for 388, South Africa ripped through Australia's top order on day three of the second test at Adelaide, leaving the hosts on 111 for five, with a lead of 273 at close of play on day three.
It was an action-packed day at the Adelaide Oval which started with a South African batting collapse, had a spell of resurgence from Jacques Kallis and Faf du Plessis, and ended with some blistering bowling to rattle the Australian top order.
Rory Kleinveldt took three wickets early on while Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel chipped in with a wicket apiece, sparking Australia's own mini collapse in the final session of the day.
Jacques Rudolph was the first to depart in the South African collapse, playing a horribly loose shot off Nathan Lyon, Rob Quiney taking an easy catch at cover.
South Africa were hardly in trouble at 233-3, but Graeme Smith soon departed for 122 with Peter Siddle getting the skipper caught behind. Smith reviewed the decision, but HotSpot showed a slight edge and the skipper was sent packing.
The collapse continued as AB de Villiers became Siddle's second victim of the morning. Siddle landed a ball on middle and off and De Villiers went across trying to defend, but missed and was hit on his pads.
The on-field umpire gave him out immediately and after a quick chat with Du Plessis at the other end, the South African wicketkeeper decided to review, but it was very plumb and the on-field decision remained.
The Proteas found themselves in all sorts of trouble at 240-5 and Kallis was yet to make an appearance. He was meant to bat at seven, but it was Dale Steyn who came out instead.
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Michael Clarke took the second new ball as soon as it was due and brought Ben Hilfenhaus into the attack, reaping his awards almost immediately.
Steyn, who had played a couple of impressive shots in his very short innings, hung his bat out to dry and Hilfenhaus found the edge while Ricky Ponting took a simple catch in the slips.
Kallis was still nowhere to be seen and instead it was Rory Kleinveldt who trudged out to the middle, but he lasted just five balls before Hilfenhaus sent his off stump cartwheeling. At 250-7, the visitors' woes were deepening.
Kallis finally made his way out to the middle, joining Du Plessis as the Proteas found themselves in a bit of a pickle. The pair managed to hold on until lunch, though, despite Kallis looking mightily uncomfortable while running between the wickets.
After lunch, the big all-rounder looked much better and combined with Du Plessis for a superb 93-run partnership before being caught off Clarke as another decision was overturned on review.
Kallis went for the sweep and missed, but the ball had ricocheted off his glove and into Wade's hands behind the stumps. Australia were convinced they had their man, but the on-field umpire was not interested. The hosts reviewed and the call was changed, sending Kallis on his way for 58.
Morne Morkel, whose highest test score came in Australia, managed to hold on for just seven balls before he was bowled around his legs by Lyon, right after the Proteas managed to avoid the follow on.
Du Plessis, who almost didn't make it to the crease after tripping on the stairs as he went out to bat, departed for a well-made 78, caught at silly mid-off off Hilfenhaus on the stroke of tea with the Australians still ahead by 162 runs.
The Aussie openers got off to a blistering start, racing to 77 in 16 overs but Kleinveldt ripped through David Warner, Rob Quiney and Ed Cowan, before Dale Steyn dismissed Ricky Ponting and Morne Morkel struck, getting rid of nightwatchman Peter Siddle, having him caught behind with just two overs remaining in the day's play.
Clarke and Michael Hussey held on until stumps, but the surge of wickets in the final session has surely set up a very interesting final two days.
Imran Tahir's struggles with the ball continued, though, and while there was plenty of rough to work with, the leg spinner couldn't get it quite right.
He was denied a wicket when Cowan pushed forward and was caught at extra cover, but the bowler had overstepped the mark and Cowan was given an extra life which, fortunately for Tahir, didn't last very long.
Report Day 1
Report Day 2
AUSTRALIA: Ed Cowan, David Warner, Rob Quiney, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade (wk), Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon.
SOUTH AFRICA: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (wk), Jacques Rudolph, Faf du Plessis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.
