(updates at tea)
By Telford Vice
JOHANNESBURG, March 31 - Australia paceman Stuart
Clark took two wickets to reduce South Africa to 140 for four on
the first day of the third and final test on Friday.
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat. Ashwell Prince
was 23 not out at tea with Jacques Rudolph on 12. Australia are
2-0 up in the series.
Brett Lee and Clark, who two for 38 from 16 overs, shared
the new ball and they found their line and length immediately.
South Africa struggled to get going, and their first run was
scored in the fifth over when AB de Villiers drove a ball from
Lee for a single.
The first boundary followed in the 10th over when Herschelle
Gibbs, opening in place of injured captain Graeme Smith, drove
Clark handsomely through the covers.
South Africa's troubles started four overs later when De
Villiers lifted a drive off Clark and was neatly caught low down
by Damien Martyn at cover for 12.
Three overs later the home side were reduced to 38 for two
when Gibbs left a delivery from fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz
and was bowled for 16.
Jacques Kallis and Boeta Dippenaar batted solidly for the
rest of the morning session to nurse South Africa to lunch on 67
for two.
They were separated in the 10th over after lunch when
Dippenaar, who hit seven fours in his 32, drove expansively at a
delivery from Clark and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Adam
Gilchrist to end a partnership of 59.
Lee bowled Kallis for 37 with an inswinger that nipped
through the gate, reducing South Africa 106 for four in the
ninth over before tea.
Kallis was captaining South Africa in the absence of Smith,
who withdrew from the match with a finger injury. Dippenaar
replaced Smith in the team.
Justin Langer, who is playing his 100th test, led the
Australian team on to the field.