SYDNEY, Jan 4: A chanceless 100 by Mark Waugh with sterling contributions from Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting put Australia in the driver's seat in the second Test against South Africa today. Against a defensive South African attack, Australia were 392 for nine in reply to the Proteas' 287 to take an invaluable 105-run lead at stumps on the third day at the Sydney Cricket Ground.Steve Waugh, playing in his 100th Test, was dismissed by Allan Donald for 85. Only England's Colin Cowdrey, Pakistani Javed Miandad and West Indian Gordon Greenidge have scored a century in their 100th appearance.
A decisive 116-run stand for the fourth wicket between the Waughs was more than sufficient to break loose of a tight rein South Africa had on the Australians.
Mark scored his first century in nine months and three series. Resuming the day needing 22 more for his 12th century, Mark Waugh cut loose, hammering Symcox and Adams and forcing Hansie Cronje to take the new ball after 80 overs.
Donald showed no discomfort of
a troublesome left ankle and came out firing in a hostile new-ball spell that peppered Steve Waugh with bruises to the shoulder, ribs and groin. He was badly under-bowled, and once introduced just before the tea break, he removed Steve Waugh. Mark Waugh wasn't spared either. The first ball hit him on the shoulder. But it was all soon forgotten when he clipped Shaun Pollock to the fine-leg boundary.
It was only the fourth time the twins have associated themselves in a century stand in their 57 Tests together. Mark Waugh was trapped leg before wicket five balls later but Steve Waugh found a willing partner in Ricky Ponting.
The fifth-wicket pair put on 98 runs on either side of the lunch break to leave South Africa with a tough game with two days to go.
Ponting, Australia's first-Test hero with 105, scored a fine 62 before he hit a return catch to Adams after tea. Ian Healy has batted for 108 minutes for 31 runs along with No 11 Glenn McGrath, who survived 15 minutes for his three runs.
South Africa
were defensive throughout the day and seem to have their mind set on forcing a draw. They narrowly escape defeat in the first Test in Melbourne.
``There wasn't much on the pitch,'' Mark Waugh said after the century. ``It will be handy to have a lead of 120.''
Pollock returned the best figures for the South Africans with 3-56 while Donald and Symcox took two wickets apiece.
Scoreboard
South Africa (1st innings) 287
Australia (1st innings, overnight 174-3): M Elliott c McMillan b Symcox 32, M Taylor c Richardson b Pollock 11, G Blewett b McMillan 28, M Waugh lbw b Pollock 100, S Waugh b Donald 85, R Ponting c&b Adams 62, M Bevan c McMillan b Symcox 12, I Healy batting 31, P Reiffel b Donald 0, S Warne lbw b Pollock 12, G McGrath not out 3; Extras (1b, 11lb, 4nb) 16. Total: 392 for nine
Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-59, 3-103, 4-219, 5-317, 6-337, 7-354, 8-357, 9-385.
Bowling: Donald 25-4-71-2, Pollock 29-8-56-3 (3nb), Symcox 39-11-103-2, Adams 37-9-63-1, McMillan
18-5-55-1, Kallis 8-1-30-0 (1nb), Cronje 1-0-2-0.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
