Kirsten to S Africa’s rescue

Leg-spinner Shane Warne, who claimed the vital wicket of South African captain Hansie Cronje for a duck, loomed as a growing threat on a pitch offering bounce and turn.

Earlier, Ricky Ponting scored 105, his second Test century, after Australia resumed on 206 for four. Batting at number six, Ponting hit 14 fours and faced 199 balls to reach his century in 262 minutes.

AUSTRALIA (1st innings): M Elliott c Richardson b Klusener 6, M Taylor c Kirsten b McMillan 20, G Blewett st Richardson b Symcox 26, M Waugh c Richardson b Donald 0, S Waugh c Cullinan b Donald 96, R Ponting b Symcox 105, I Healy b Donald 16, P Reiffel b Symcox 27, S Warne c&b Pollock 1, M Kasprowicz c Bacher b Symcox 0, G McGrath not out 0;
Extras (b-1, lb-6, nb-5) 12;
Total (all out in 121.2 overs) 309
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-42, 3-44, 4-77, 5-222, 6-250, 7-302, 8-309, 9-309
Bowling: Donald 29-6-74-3 (2nb), Pollock 28-6-76-1 (1nb), Klusener 19-3-48-1 (2nb), McMillan 10-3-19-1, Symcox 27.2-4-69-4, Kallis 4-2-5-0, Cronje 4-2-11-0.

SOUTH AFRICA (1st innings): A Bacher c Healy b Kasprowicz 3, G Kirsten batting 61, J Kallis c Healy b McGrath 15, D Cullinan run out 5, H Cronje c Blewett b Warne 0, B McMillan batting 6;
Extras (nb-4) 4,
Total (for the loss of 4 wickets in 56 overs) 94.
Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-62, 3-75, 4-76
Bowling: McGrath 12-6-13-1, Reiffel 6-2-20-0 (2nb), Kasprowicz 10-3-21-1 (1nb), Warne 22-7-37-1 (1nb), M Waugh 6-4-3-0.