MELBOURNE, Dec 30: Jacques Kallis hit a maiden Test century as South Africa held off Australia's intimidating pace and spin attack to force a draw today in the first test at Melbourne Cricket Ground today.Kallis made 101 as the tourists batted out the fifth and final day to reach 273 for seven.
They were 108 runs behind Australia's two innings of 309 and 257, but content to keep the three-match series alive going into the second Test starting in Sydney on Friday.
At the other end, Shaun Pollock was on 15 and Lance Klusener 6.It was only the third draw between the two in 10 Tests since South Africa's re-admission to Test cricket in 1992. Australia has won four matches and South Africa three.
Kallis was eventually bowled by Paul Reiffel just after making his first Test ton. But the number three right-hander displayed great courage keeping the innings together. Kallis brought up his hundred by running four, seven minutes before tea. He raised his arms into the air in triumph and kissed his helmet.
He
faced 279 balls in all and hit six fours, putting on 123 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Hansie Cronje, who made a fighting 70 with two boundaries.
Cronje, who came to the crease with his team in danger at 88-3, was eventually caught by Mark Taylor off Steve Waugh.
Master spinner Shane Warne, who bowled throughout much of the final day, finished with three for 97 off 44 overs. Warne removed Brian McMillan (16), when the all-rounder edged to Taylor at first slip, who took his third catch of the innings.
Victory was never a possibility for South Africa on the final day and particularly after the loss of Cronje and Kallis, the tourists shut up shop. Their 250 came up in 440 minutes off 111.4 overs.
Warne dismissed Adam Bacher (39) and Daryll Cullinan with consecutive balls in the morning session to raise Australia hopes of victory. He struck 27 minutes into play when he got Bacher to edge and Taylor took a brilliant left-handed catch low down at first slip. He struck again in his next over when
he got the better of Cullinan, bowling him for a duck. Cullinan played back and was beaten by a leg-break to leave South Africa at 88 for three.
McGrath was impressive in the morning session and was unlucky not to claim Bacher with two vociferous leg-before appeals in the fifth over of the day.
Both times Australian umpire Steve Randell was unmoved by the appeals with television replays showing Bacher extremely lucky to remain at the crease.Australia finally got an lbw decision from Randell after nine raucous appeals throughout the final day when McGrath trapped Dave Richardson (11) with four overs left in the match.
SCOREBOARD
AUSTRALIA 309 and 257.
SOUTH AFRICA (first innings) 186.
SOUTH AFRICA (second innings): G Kirsten b Reiffel 0, A Bacher c Taylor b Warne 39, J Kallis b Reiffel 101, D Cullinan b Warne 0, W Cronje c Taylor b S Waugh 70, B McMillan c Taylor b Warne 16, S Pollock not out 15, D Richardson lbw b McGrath 11, L Klusener not out 6.
Extras
(b5,lb4,nb6) 15.
Total (for the loss of seven wickets in 122 overs) 273
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-88, 3-88, 4-211, 5-229, 6-241, 7-260
Bowling: McGrath 28-11-57-1, Reiffel 18-8-24-2, Kasprowicz 14-1-45-0, Warne 44-11-97-3, M Waugh 10-0-25-0, S Waugh 7-2-12-1, Blewett 1-0-4-0.Man-of-the-match: Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Result: Drawy
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
