Both teams face a nervous wait for the conclusion of a pulsating final Test as Damien Martyn’s unbeaten 93 crept Australia to within 44 of their target with four wickets left
The Bulletin by Peter English03-Apr-2006
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Makhaya Ntini has given South Africa a chance of sneaking victory © Getty Images
Both teams face a nervous wait for the conclusion of a pulsating final Test as Damien Martyn’s unbeaten 93 crept Australia to within 44 of their target with only four wickets remaining. Australia, who may not be able to use Justin Langer, seemed set for a comfortable chase during a brilliant 165-run partnership between Martyn and Michael Hussey, but when Hussey departed for 89 the side lost 4 for 39 to refresh a previously ailing South Africa over the last 90 minutes.Makhaya Ntini charged through Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne after Nicky Boje finally removed Hussey, and Jacques Kallis, a debutant captain under unfamiliar pressure, ended a dangerous drive from Andrew Symonds. The last three batsmen fell for nine runs in a dramatic turnaround as South Africa’s mood changed from one of impending defeat to hope of a first positive result in six Tests against Australia this summer.Through the chaos Martyn remained calm, like he had throughout an innings that was crucial to his career prospects, and Australia finished at 248 for 6. The reshuffled order meant Hussey was promoted to his preferred spot of opener and while his place was assured after his brilliant entry this summer, Martyn was at an important stage in a three-match comeback that was not convincing until today. Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, picked Martyn’s experience for this type of uncompromising situation and by stumps he had repaid them. On Tuesday he will aim for a 13th century and an Australian victory.Playing with casual determination, Martyn deflected the fast men and spent a lot of time taking runs from Boje, often through cut shots. This was the version of the player who wooed audiences worldwide before the Ashes blip that he worried had ended his career. Given an unlikely chance, Martyn waited until the third Test to reconfirm his capabilities as a match turner.He hit 12 boundaries and looked unflustered in his 184-ball stay that was crucial throughout the final two sessions, and Australia were relived that he was unbeaten at the end with Brett Lee on 9. The second new ball is due in nine deliveries and Ntini, who picked up 3 for 60, and Pollock will be dangerous on a surface that offers the most when the ball is hard and shiny.
Michael Hussey was back opening the innings and continued his fine form with 89 © Getty Images
The purpose of Hussey was on display as the zinc on his nose wore off when sweat dripped down his face. Despite gaining a trio of early reprieves, he uncovered some cracking pull shots and sweet cover drives mixed with determined defence during his 197-ball innings that included 12 boundaries. Hussey’s second half-century of the match came from 140 deliveries and he drove the chase again in the final session with his hard running and careful placement.His early performance was not a smooth one and he could have been dismissed to lbw appeals from Andre Nel on 0 and Pollock on 5. Both were rejected by Steve Bucknor, and Hussey was also lucky to escape an edge to Mark Boucher off Makhaya Ntini on 19. The mistakes were costly and South Africa finally got their man when Boje trapped him playing back with the score on 198 and the target less than 100.Symonds came in and thrashed a brutal 29 off 26 balls that reduced the aim further and just as a fast finish seemed likely he edged Kallis to Boucher. Hitting a six over cover, driving fours and pulling two more boundaries, Symonds eased the pressure on his team-mates before leaving as quickly as he arrived at 224. Gilchrist then fell first ball, Warne went with a similar edge to Ntini and the South Africans were back.After reaching 258 in their second innings, the home side’s push for victory started well when AB de Villiers took a sharp diving slips catch to a Matthew Hayden nick from Ntini before Ricky Ponting (20) collected a fine inside edge to an unconvincing drive off Kallis. With the score at 33 for 2, Kallis deserved to be pleased, but he was hindered by an illness to Nel, who was visibly struggling and able to deliver only two overs before leaving the ground for treatment.Australia also had their problems with Langer after he was hit in the head by Ntini with the opening ball of the first innings on Saturday. Reports ranged from him batting No. 4, which didn’t happen, to playing if the team really needed him or not at all. He turned up at the ground late in the day dressed in street clothes and as the wickets fell did not pull on his whites.There was no doubt about the performance of Lee as he finished off South Africa’s innings in only 15 balls this morning, knocking over Boucher for 63 and Ntini for 0. The smooth end gave Australia some useful momentum, but despite an impressive push by Martyn and Hussey the game had ebbed again by stumps.Australia
Matthew Hayden c de Villiers b Ntini 0 (0 for 1)
Ricky Ponting c Boucher b Kallis 20 (33 for 2)
Michael Hussey lbw Boje 89 (198 for 3)
Andrew Symonds c Boucher b Kallis 29 (228 for 4)
Adam Gilchrist c Boucher b Ntini 0 (229 for 5)
Shane Warne c Boucher b Ntini 3 (237 for 6)
South Africa
AB de Villiers b Clark 4 (9 for 1)
Boeta Dippenaar c Hayden b Clark 20 (55 for 2)
Herschelle Gibbs c Martyn b Warne 53 (100 for 3)
Ashwell Prince c Symonds b Warne 9 (120 for 4)
Jacques Rudolph c Gilchrist b Clark 0 (140 for 6)
Shaun Pollock c Gilchrist b Lee 44 (186 for 7)
Nicky Boje c Symonds b Warne 4 (194 for 8)
Mark Boucher c Gilchrist b Lee 63 (258 for 9)
Makhaya Ntini b Lee 0 (258)