Wickets tumble in remarkable Newlands test

Friday, 11 November 2011 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Australia dismissed for just 47 but lead by 235
South Africa earlier all out for 96

CAPE TOWN (Reuters): Australia narrowly avoided scoring the lowest ever test total as they capitulated to 47 all out but the tourists could still win the first test against South Africa following an extraordinary second day on Thursday.

The lowest test score was 26 by New Zealand against England in 1955 while Australia’s lowest was 36 against England in 1902. A dogged last-wicket stand of 26 from Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon made sure Australia steered clear of those unwanted records but it was their fourth lowest total, worst against South Africa and lowest score since 1902. Hosts South Africa had earlier been bowled out for 96 on a reasonable-looking wicket after the tourists had made 284 in their first innings with captain Michael Clarke scoring 151. Parts of all four innings will take place on the same day as 22 wickets fell. Despite their woeful second innings effort albeit with the ball moving, Australia led by 235 and still have a decent chance of winning the first match of the two-test series.

South Africa’s Vernon Philander celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia’s Brad Haddin during the second day of their first test cricket match in Cape Town, November 10, 2011. REUTERS

Score board

Australia 1st innings 284

South Africa first innings

J. Rudolph b Harris                   18   G. Smith b Watson                     37

H. Amla lbw b Watson                   03

J. Kallis c Ponting b Watson        00

AB de Villiers lbw b Harris            08

A. Prince lbw b Watson                 00

M. Boucher lbw b Watson   04

V. Philander c Ponting b Harris    04

D. Steyn not out                       09   M. Morkel run out                      01

I. Tahir b Harris                      05

Extras: (lb-4, w-1, nb-2)               07

Total: (all out, 24.3 overs)           96

Fall of wickets: 1-24 2-49 3-49 4-73 5-73 6-77 7-77 8-81

9-83 10-96

Bowling: Harris 10.3-3-33-4 (1nb), Johnson 5-0-26-0 (1w),

4-1-16-0 (1nb), Watson 5-2-17-5

Australia second innings

S. Watson lbw b Steyn                04

P. Hughes c Rudolph b Morkel    09

R. Ponting lbw b Philander           00

M. Clarke lbw b Philander            02

M. Hussey c Prince b Morkel    00

B. Haddin c Boucher b Philander   00

M. Johnson c Amla b Philander    03

R. Harris c Smith b Morkel           03

P. Siddle not out                   12

S. Marsh lbw b Philander             00

N. Lyon c de Villiers b Steyn       14            Extras :                              00   Total (all out, 18 overs)           47

Fall of wickets: 1-4 2-11 3-13 4-13 5-15 6-18 7-21 8-21 9-21

10-47

Bowling: Steyn 5-1-23-2, Philander 7-3-15-5, Morkel 6-1-9-3