Cricket: Jaques called up for Boxing Day test

PERTH - NSW opener Phil Jaques is set to make his test debut after being named in the Australian team yesterday for the Boxing Day cricket test against South Africa.

Jaques, who replaces the injured Justin Langer, will likely partner Matthew Hayden at the top of the order.

Stuart Clark, who was 12th man for the first test at the Waca, has been omitted while the under-pressure Andrew Symonds has retained his spot in the squad.

Legspinner Stuart MacGill could also partner Shane Warne in the second test after being recalled.

Meanwhile, a fighting partnership by Jacques Rudolph and Justin Kemp gave South Africa a strong chance of saving the first test at the Waca.

Set the almost impossible task of scoring 491 to win, South Africa were 190 for four at tea on the fifth's day.

Rudolph had scored an unbeaten 60 in four minutes shy of five hours at the crease with seven fours from 189 balls.

Kemp was 27 not out in 132 minutes from 100 balls with four fours.

After a string of appeals from leg-spinner Shane Warne, two for 44 from 31 overs, Australia took the new ball at 178 for four and almost broke the partnership just before tea.

AUSTRALIA

Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne.

- AAP