Proteas rally slows Aussie charge

Australia 272-6 v South Africa

South Africa claimed a three wickets in the final session to pin back Australia after the world champions made a strong start in the first Test at Adelaide.

Debutant spinner Claude Henderson removed captain Steve Waugh, centurion Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist as the Proteas fought their way back into contention.

The late damage saw the hosts, who were at one stage riding high on 182 for one, close the first day on 272 for six.

The Aussies started strongly as Langer raced away to his fourth hundred in five Tests.

He shared in an opening stand of 80 with Matthew Hayden before his partner fell following the introduction of Lance Klusener to the attack.

But Ricky Ponting, badly dropped on six by Gary Kirsten at slip and caught at square leg off a Shaun Pollock no–ball when on 29, rode his luck to help Langer take the total to 182.

By then Langer had reached his hundred, with a six over midwicket off Henderson taking him to three figures.

The situation could have been much worse for the Proteas had they not taken two wickets shortly before tea.

Ponting's fortune ran out when he was run out for 54 after a stand of 102 with Langer thanks to a brilliant piece of fielding by Boeta Dippenaar.

Next to go was Mark Waugh, playing in his 100th Test alongside brother Steve. He survived just 15 balls before edging one from Nantie Hayward through to Mark Boucher for two.

Steve Waugh then came in to join Langer but the pair added just 12 more before Henderson had the captain caught at bat–pad for his first wicket.

Langer and Damian Martyn added a further 27 before Langer finally went for 116, caught at first slip by Pollock attempting to cut.

Last man out was vice–captain Gilchrist, who went for seven, after pulling straight to Hayward at mid–wicket.