Cricket: Aussies suffer a mauling

TEST CRICKET
Australia 209
South Africa 404-3

It's at times like this you have to remember that Shane Warne's test debut resulted in one wicket for 228 runs - but no-one called him "Mr Magoo".

Bryce McGain, on the other hand, is often called Mr Magoo as a nickname because he wears glasses off the field. He befell some of the misfortunes of the legendary short-sighted cartoon character as South Africa gave the Australians a fearful mauling.

Mr Magoo's battles with myopia usually caused disasters in his wake, affecting all around him, and the same thing happened to McGain - whose 11 overs cost 102 runs, the most expensive in test history. England might not see much of him in the coming Ashes series.

Looking hungrier, stronger and more disciplined, the South Africans continued their good work of the opening day to add 347 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Despite his reservations, Ashwell Prince batted superbly as a makeshift opener. Organised, defiant and nuggety, the left-hander contributed a convincing 150.

Apart from calculated assaults on McGain, a dainty leg spinner whose dream became a nightmare, the left-hander kept a constant tempo.

Jacques Kallis also punished a lacklustre attack. After looking uneasy against bumpers, he drove cleanly, pulled powerfully and slaughtered McGain as he broke a barren patch to reach his 31st test hundred. By stumps Australia were facing heavy defeat and a 3-3 deadlock in matches between these sides this winter.

Prince watched the ball closely in scoring 150 in 249 balls before gloving a leg-side lifter, a decision made by the third umpire after Steve Bucknor had shaken his head.

He reached the 90s without undue difficulty whereupon he lashed out at McGain and reached three figures with two heated boundaries.

Thereafter he bashed the spinner and collected adroitly. Along the way he lost Imraan Khan as the novice drove without due care and was snaffled by the deserving Peter Siddle.

Hashim Amla also had the bowling at his mercy only to spurn his chance with a loose stroke. Here he reached 46 and flashed at Mitchell Johnson, once a tiger now a pussycat.

Kallis gave the bowlers no laxity. After taking an eternity to reach four, he cut loose against the forlorn spinner and then began to play sumptuous off-drives against the pacemen.

Among the bowlers only Siddle emerged unscathed. Australia's limitations, with ball and gloves, were exposed.

- INDEPENDENT