Cricket: Lee knocks back Proteas

Fast bowler Brett Lee claimed two wickets in three balls to give Australia the upper hand on the second day of the first test against South Africa.

Allrounder Jacques Kallis had appeared to bowl South Africa back into contention by restricting the visitors to a first innings lead of 103 but Australia were quick to retaliate.

After being bowled out for 308, Australia reduced the hosts to 70-3 in the second innings at the close. South Africa trail the world champions by 33 runs.

Australia's last five wickets tumbled for 36 runs as took Kallis 3-51 to lead the fightback. But South Africa suffered a torrid start to the second innings, when Lee had AB de Villiers caught behind for seven before bowling Herschelle Gibbs for a duck with just 20 on the board. Shane Warne then snared Graeme Smith for 16. Kallis was 31 not out at the close of play, with Ashwell Prince unbeaten on 14.

* England have made a solid start to the third and final test against India in Mumbai.

Needing to win to secure a draw in the series, Rahul Dravid surprisingly inserted England after winning the toss.

Openers Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell put on 52 before Bell went for 18, caught by Harbhajan Singh off Sri Sreesanth's bowling.

Owais Shah (50 not out) continued the good work, as he built a 100-plus partnership with Strauss (83 not out) to leave the tourists on 156-1 after 52 overs.

- NZPA