Aussies nail Proteas

Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting scored half-centuries on Sunday to put Australia in command of the opening Test with South Africa....

Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting scored half-centuries on Sunday to put Australia in command of the opening Test with South Africa. Hodge survived a dropped catch on 13 to score an unbeaten 91, Hussey got a let-off on 46 to end the day 54 not out.

Ponting got the benefit of two dubious umpiring decisions to make 53 and help Australia open a 272-run lead over the tourists with six second-innings wickets in hand. Australia, trailing by 38 on the first innings, started the day on 38-1 with the match all-square but were back in control at 310-4 at the close after an absorbing day8217;s cricket at the WACA. The hosts lost nightwatchman Brett Lee for 32 an hour after the start then Justin Langer for 47 and Ponting between lunch and tea.

Hodge and Hussey then batted through the extended last session with an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 126, helped by poor South African fielding.

Hodge, playing in just his third Test, got off the mark first ball with a rare five that included four overthrows from Ashley Prince then got a second life on 13 when Justin Kemp dropped him at a wide second slip. Hodge needed 129 balls and almost three hours to reach his half-century but raised the tempo after passing 50.

Hussey was also unusually cautious at the start of his innings as he was dropped by AB de Villiers at mid-wicket in the last over of the day off Charl Langeveldt but immediately responded with two quick boundaries to pass his 50.

Ponting also rode his luck to register his second half-century of the match following his 71 from the first innings. The Australian captain had a let off on four when he was brilliantly caught by Rudolph at square-leg only for West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove to call Langeveldt for a no ball. Television replays suggested the delivery was legitimate.

Brief scores:

Australia: 258 and 310-4 Langer 47, Lee 32, Ponting 53, Hodge batting 91, Hussey batting 54, Langeveldt 2-71 vs South Africa: 296.