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/ 17 December 2008
The series between Australia and SA exploded into action on Wednesday as the hosts reached 341-9 on a scintillating first day in Perth.
Australia opener Simon Katich batted all day for an unbeaten 148 to lead his side to a commanding 330 for three at the close of the third day.
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee produced a dynamic spell of swing bowling to set his side up for a series victory over the West Indies on Monday. At the close of the fourth day of the second Test, Australia led by 371 with four second-innings wickets in hand on a deteriorating pitch after winning the first Test in the three-match series.
Michael Clarke scored a fine 110 and then picked up two top-order wickets as Australia ended the second day of the second Test against the West Indies on Saturday with a 354-run first-innings lead. Clarke’s classy innings guided Australia to a commanding 479-7 declared.
Simon Katich fashioned his third Test hundred and overshadowed the 10 000-run milestone of captain Ricky Ponting to lead a solid Australia batting performance on the first day of the second Test against West Indies on Friday. Katich was undefeated on 113 as Australia reached 259-3 in their first innings when bad light stopped play.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting strode majestically to his 35th Test hundred to help his side recover from a shaky start in the opening Test against the West Indies on Thursday. Ponting used a West Indies attack hamstrung by the withdrawal of key strike bowler Jerome Taylor to serenely progress to 158.
Australian Skipper Ricky Ponting says there is more pressure on India to win Wednesday’s second cricket Test than on his team to equal the record of most consecutive Test victories. Ponting on Tuesday had the luxury of naming an unchanged 12 for the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.