Cricket: Australia hit back after early losses

Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . .241-6

South Africa

IAN HEALY and Steve Waugh scored half-centuries to rescue Australia after South Africa had put them in trouble on the opening day of the decisive third Test at Kingsmead yesteray.

Three wickets by the fast bowler Allan Donald helped reduce Australia to 123 for 5 by mid-afternoon before Waugh and Healy put together a partnership of 92. Healy was dismissed for 55 but Waugh was unbeaten on 50 at the close when Australia were 241 for 6.

Kepler Wessels won the toss for the third successive time and sent the Australians in on a pitch that produced plenty of bounce for South Africa's four-man pace attack. Donald, hurt by criticism of his bowling at Newlands in the second Test last weekend, removed Mark Taylor leg before for one.

His fellow opener, Michael Slater, went for his shots but after hitting two fours in making 20, cut a ball from Craig Matthews straight to Jonty Rhodes at point.

David Boon was at his most pugnacious but suffered a painful blow in the groin from Donald. Boon continued to play after being hit but was dismissed shortly after lunch for 37 and was later taken to hospital. A team spokesman said he had suffered bruising that might prevent him from fielding but he would bat in the second innings.

Allan Border, playing in what is likely to be his last Test, and Mark Waugh then put together a dogged partnership of 42 before both were removed in quick succession.

(South Africa won toss)

AUSTRALIA - First Innings

M J Slater c Rhodes b Matthews . . . . . . . . . . .20

M A Taylor lbw b Donald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

D C Boon c G Kirsten b Donald. . . . . . . . . . . .37

M E Waugh c Richardson b Donald . . . . . . . . . .43

*A R Border c Rhodes b McMillan. . . . . . . . . . .17

S R Waugh not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

I A Healy b Matthews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

P R Reiffel not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Extras (lb1 w1 nb8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Total (for 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Fall: 1-7 2-45 3-81 4-123 5-123 6-215

To bat: S K Warne, C J McDermott, G D McGrath

Bowling: Donald 18-1-71-3 (1w 8nb); de Villiers 19-4- 39-0; Matthews 23-6-53-2; McMillan 19-5-56-1; Cronje 5-1-8-0; G Kirsten 6-1-13-0.

SOUTH AFRICA: A C Hudson, G Kirsten, W J Cronje, *K C Wessels, P N Kirsten, J N Rhodes, B M McMillan, D J Richardson, C R Matthews, P S de Villiers, A A Donald.