Cricket: Pollock strikes seven times but Taylor stands firm

South Africa 517

Australia 327-9

Shaun Pollock destroyed Australia with a superb display of fast bowling in difficult conditions on the third day of the third and final Test in Adelaide yesterday. Carrying the attack in the absence of Allan Donald, Pollock took 7 for 78 in a game the tourists must win to level the series at 1-1.

The Australian captain, Mark Taylor, held fast for eight hours in making 157 not out, his 17th Test century, but Australia still trail South Africa by 190 runs.

South Africa could rue their their atrocious fielding which saw five chances, three off Pollock, and another half-chance went to ground. Crucially, Taylor was dropped twice before he had reached 50.

Pollock performed heroically in temperatures that reached 102F and he began his excellent day by removing Greg Blewett with the fourth ball of the day.

Mark Waugh, who made 63, should have been out at 57, but Lance Klusener was unable to secure to a swirling chance at mid-off. Klusener was himself the victim when Ricky Ponting, on 14, was missed by Gary Kirsten at mid- on.

Andy Bichel was missed by Symcox off Pollock before he had scored, but Symcox held a far more difficult chance to dismiss Bichel in the same over. Michael Kasprowicz was also dropped, by wicketkeeper Dave Richardson, off Kallis.

Third day; South Africa won toss

SOUTH AFRICA - First Innings 517 (B M McMillan 87no, G Kirsten 77, W J Cronje 73, P L Symcox 54).

AUSTRALIA - First Innings

(Overnight: 71 for 1)

*M A Taylor not out 157

G S Blewett c Bacher b Pollock 31

M E Waugh c Gibbs b Pollock 63

S R Waugh c Richardson b Pollock 6

R T Ponting b Klusener 26

I A Healy c and b Pollock 1

A J Bichel c Symcox b Pollock 0

S K Warne c Richardson b Pollock 0

M S Kasprowicz c Symcox b Kallis 17

S C G MacGill not out 2

Extras (b2, lb10, nb4) 16

Total (for 9, 112 overs) 327

Fall (cont): 2-71, 3-197, 4-207, 5-263, 6-273, 7-279, 8-279, 9-317.

Bowling: Pollock 36-9-78-7; McMillan 23-5-60-0; Kallis 18-5-45-1; Klusener 23-5-97-1; Symcox 12-3-35-0.

Umpires: D B Cowie (NZ) and S G Randell (Aus).