Dream debut for Clark

Paceman Stuart Clark took five wickets for 55 on his debut to snatch the advantage for Australia on the first day of the first test against South Africa on Thursday.

Paceman Stuart Clark took five wickets for 55 on his debut to snatch the advantage for Australia on the first day of the first test against South Africa on Thursday. Clark helped restrict South Africa to 205 after they won the toss and chose to bat. And in reply, Australia were 63 for one at the close with Matthew Hayden (22) and Ricky Ponting (20) at the crease. Clark maintained a disciplined line and length and made good use of the responsive pitch. Fast bowler Brett Lee offered Clark steady support and took three for 37. Australia preferred Clark to leg-spinner Stuart MacGill and the decision paid dividends when Clark took key wickets in South Africa’s top and middle order.

Brief scores: South Africa 205 (Nicky Boje 31, Stuart Clark 5-55, Bret Lee 3-37) vs Australia 63 for 1

Injury-hit Lanka face uphill task

Colombo: Sri Lanka suffered a major setback ahead of the limited-overs cricket series against Pakistan after losing three key players to injuries. Team manager Micheal Tissera said prolific batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and seamers Chaminda Vaas and Ruchira Perera have been ruled out of the three-match series. Left-handed opening batsman Jehan Mubarak, fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Dhammika Prasad have been called in to replace the injured players, he added. Sri Lanka will play three limited-overs matches against Pakistan starting from Friday followed by two Test matches. (Live on Ten Sports; 1.35 pm)

WI look to Lara to fire in second Test

Wellington: Brian Lara returns to the ground where he scored his only Test century against New Zealand as a key figure in the West Indies’ second cricket Test against the Kiwis, starting at the Basin Reserve on Friday. Both the West Indies and New Zealand hold the view that Lara, out to a first ball duck in the second innings at Auckland, will fire at some stage during the three-Test series and that his contribution will likely be crucial. The West Indies, desperate to keep the series alive, hope the moment will come in Wellington, a traditionally good batting track on which Lara scored 147 in 1995.

— Agencies