Australia strike back

Hosts hold a 320-run lead in the first innings at The SCG

Last updated: 5th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Australia strike back

Clarke: Celebrates his ton

Watch day three of Australia v South Africa live from 11.30pm (GMT) on Sky Sports 2, Sunday

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Third Test Match
Sydney - Day Two
Australia 445 (M J Clarke 138, M G Johnson 64) v South Africa 125-1

South Africa lost captain Graeme Smith to a broken finger as Australia battled back to avoid a whitewash on day two of the third Test in Sydney.

Michael Clarke's century helped the current world's top Test team post 445 in their first innings, while the Proteas will still have Jacques Kallis (36) and Hashim Amla (30) at the crease when they resume on 125 for one at The SCG.

Smith retired hurt on 30 after being struck on the little finger of his left hand by a Mitchell Johnson delivery that reared up off a good length.

He was taken to hospital for X-rays on his left hand after being forced to leave the field and he now looks set for a six-week lay-off.

Fellow opener Neil McKenzie was the only South African wicket to fall, trapped lbw by Peter Siddle for 23, but it is the hosts that hold the power despite news that Brett Lee has undergone ankle surgery.

Fight

Clarke had earlier swung the game Australia's way courtesy of his 142-run partnership with Johnson (64).

Resuming on 77, the middle order man went on to complete his first Test century at The SCG before being caught and bowled by JP Duminy.

Johnson, who was put down by Kallis on 18, made his best score at Test level meanwhile before Dale Steyn induced an edge to Smith at first slip.

Siddle (23) and Nathan Hauritz (41) kept the momentum going, but Paul Harris got the latter caught by Duminy to wrap up the innings and the Proteas were given a testing period to bat after tea.