Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
Milestone ... Clarke becomes the first player to score four Test double tons in a year. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited
Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey put South Africa to the sword as Australia build a big first innings total late on day one of the second Test in Adelaide.
Join in the conversation by either posting a comment below or sending an email to blogs@foxsports.com.au
You can also check out all the stats, pitch maps and wagon wheels at our Cricket Match Centre.
2nd Test - Adelaide Oval
22 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3
Australia 1st Innings
| M. Clarke | 216 | 240 | 38 | 1 | 90 |
| M. Hussey | 101 | 132 | 9 | 4 | 76.52 |
| M. Morkel | 21.3 | 5 | 123 | 2 | 5.72 |
Live
First ball: 11:00 AM November 22, 2012
Location: Adelaide Oval
Match Summary
Australia: 4/472
South Africa:
Latest comments (all times AEDT):
1808: Well this is a positive sign for South Africa with Dale Steyn returning to take the new ball. The Proteas desperately need a wicket before stumps to get themselves back in this Test.
1805: HUSSEY REACHES 100! There's no time to bask in Clarke's achievement with Hussey belting Tahir for six over mid-wicket to notch his own century. That's a remarkable shot - he took it from wide outside of off-stump to bring up a Test match ton. It's all happening here in Adelaide. AUS 4/455
1804: CLARKE MAKES HISTORY! Clarke works one around the corner and scurries through for a single to bring up his double-ton. It's a historic feat too, becoming the first player to score four scores of 200 or more in a year.
1800: FOUR! Clarke slams Du Plessis through cover to move within reach of the double-century. A single takes him to 199.
1758: SIX! A rank Tahir full-toss is smashed over the mid-wicket fence by Clarke for six. He moves to 194 with a two and a single to finish the over. AUS 4/441
1757: FOUR! Tahir bowls to Clarke from around the wicket and drops fractionally short, with the skipper jumping back to give himself enough room to cut one to the vacant cover-point fence.
1752: Jynx crisis avoided with Hussey past that cursed number. Turning our attention to Clarke; if the skipper can reach 200 in this innings, he will become the first player to score four double-tons in a year.
1747: FOUR! Hussey continues to drive brilliantly and looks well on his way to another ton. Wait... he's on 87. Touch wood.
1743: Thanks to Drew White for pointing us to an article of what the Proteas have been up to in their break. Check it out here. Drew makes a good point: with nine days in between Tests, surely they could have scheduled a three-day match against a PM's XI or local side?
1740: Toby Hicks asks: What are Usman's stats this year? Phil Hughes? I think they need to be making a few more hundreds to get back into this team. The truth is, if Ponting was to be dropped (how sad), the replacement would be Watson. Having picked Quiney, he must be given a chance to cement his spot. Not everyone starts with a hundred on debut, and the last guy that did that for Australia was playing for the WA second XI last week!
Trent says: Khawaja is the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 430 at 60.39, including one ton. Hughes has 352 at 55.87. For those of you calling for Ponting's head, he's scored 355 at an average of 118.
1733: As the Aussies bring up 400 runs on the board, Daniel Bedford says: Will it come down to the board being forced to tap Ponting on the shoulder or do you think he'll call it stumps shortly? Also is there anyone banging down the door to take his spot fulltime?
Trent says: Ponting has said that he will walk when he knows his time is up. I think they will give him the rest of this series to prove to himself whether or not that time has come. As for replacements, Usman Khawaja is the man ringing the front door with a stack of runs in impressive fashion this season.
1727: FOUR! Clarke drives Tahir in the air through cover but evades the fielder to notch another boundary.
1723: SIX! Morkel resumes with a bouncer aimed at Hussey's helmet, but the veteran shows his eyes are still in working order, hooking it off his nostrils and over the fence behind square. Hussey moves to 68.
1716: As drinks come out onto the field, Mark from BrisVegas sheds some light on what the Proteas have been doing in-between Tests: There was a story in the newspapers a few days after the First Test ... they went on holidays and fishing. Their coach, Kirstin, went home. They only started practising again three days before this test. The article wondered how it would affect them going into this game. Now we know.
1714: FOUR! FOUR! Clarke sweeps Tahir square of the wicket with great effect. He dances down to the next delivery but doesn't quite middle his drive, only just evading an attempted diving catch from the man at mid-off. AUS 4/378
1708: WICKET! REVIEW! OVERTURNED: NOT OUT! Morkel beats Hussey's outside edge and the Proteas go up for a caught behind. After a long appeal, Billy Bowden raises the finger! Hussey looks bemused and after consultation with his skipper, opts for a review. The replays show no sign of an edge on Hot Spot. Hussey survives and the misery continues for South Africa.
1657: FOUR! FOUR! FOUR! FOUR! FOUR! Morkel back into the attack. Clarke wastes no time, merely following through with an off-drive first ball and lofting it over the top with sweet timing. Morkel then drops short, Clarke cashing in with an exquisite drive off the back foot through backward point. Next ball - mirror to the second, with exactly the same result. Next ball, Clarke punches a drive and mid-off can only watch as it sails past his reach and to the rope. To finish the over, Clarke launches into the shot of the day - a textbook on-drive for four. That's 20 from the over and 150 up for Clarke. AUS 4/367
1656: SIX! Hussey goes for a slog sweep off Tahir's bowling and makes sweet contact, but there's a man on the fence at mid-wicket! He leaps, but to no avail, the ball clearing the rope and cannoning into the fence.
1654: Why have South Africa been so poor today? Boof's left foot has the answer: What have the Proteas been doing to make em sloppy Trent? ... maybe Penfolds winery like Charles & Camilla and Hillary Clinton were also doing here the other week.
Trent says: They wouldn't be the first (or last) to fall victim to one too many bottles of Penfolds' finest. But as they say, when in Adelaide...
1651: ANOTHER SCARE FOR SOUTH AFRICA! Dale Steyn becomes the second Protea to clutch at the hammy mid run-up! This is shaping as a nightmare for Graeme Smith, who loses his second frontline bowler for the day. Steyn leaves the field to receive treatment as Kleinveldt finishes the over.
1641: FOUR! FIFTY TO HUSSEY! Mr Cricket rocks onto the back foot and glides Kleinveldt behind point for four. Another handy dig from the veteran here, who seems to have answered any questions over his place in next year's Ashes series.
1638: FOUR! Clarke uses his feet to perfection, meeting a Tahir leggy at the pitch of the ball and going straight down the ground.
1636: Clarke drives Tahir through cover for another boundary, and Tristan of Alice Springs has an answer to the back-to-back Ashes extravaganza: Trent, they were just talking to the ACB on ABC grandstand. The reason for the ashes change is that the 2012 ashes was postponed to 2013 due to the olympics and the 2014-15 ashes that we were meant to host is being played earlier so not to clash with the world cup we are hosting then.
Trent says: Cheers Tristan, that makes perfect sense. Thanks also to Rippersportspro, Scott Vassal and Shane Hatch for helping clear that up.
1630: FOUR! Tahir drops short and Clarke cuts, setting off for a run - only to realise there isn't a fielder within cooee of the ball.
1626: FOUR! FOUR! Textbook cover-drive from Clarke, followed by an efficient pull shot from Hussey, as Kleinveldt looks on in despair. He's still yet to claim his first Test wicket and going for four-and-a-half an over despite being one of South Africa's better bowlers today.
1622: FOUR! There's nothing wrong with a good-length Morkel delivery, but Hussey hits straight through the line for a glorious cover-drive boundary. This bloke simply gets better with age.
1619: In response to the release of the Ashes draw for next year, Mark Fletcheron says via email: I have a question, how come the ashes are both being played in England and Australia in the same year? Why has the schedule for the Ashes changed?
Trent says: Not sure the reasoning behind it Mark, but all I can say is we should have no doubts who the better side is after 10 Tests in the space of a few months.
1613: The Proteas have looked really sloppy both with the ball and in the field today. I wonder what they've been doing in the week between Tests and whether the gap has hurt their preparations?
1610: FOUR! Kleinveldt strays onto leg stump and Hussey helps it on its way to the rope at fine leg. Hussey now 36 off 45 - a similar rate to his innings at the Gabba.
1606: Chris Andrews says: The over rate is dreadful. South Africa will be lucky to get the second new ball before stumps.
Trent says: Spot on there Chris, I think they've fallen about 10 overs behind now.
1600: As the players make their way back out onto the Adelaide Oval, Ben of Hobart asks: In the last year, how many times has Michael Clarke gotten out and how many times has he batted? The interview with Watson made me wonder as he hasn't gotten out in this series yet.
Trent says: Since the New Years Test in Sydney this year, Clarke has batted 12 times, been not out three of them (including this match), and scored 1145 runs at 127.2. That's Bradman-like.
1542: TEA! Well after a few nervous moments this morning, Australia are well and truly in the box seat at tea on day one with Michael Clarke and David Warner notching brilliant centuries. The Aussies are scoring at will and look on track for a big first innings total. Grab your afternoon coffee and we'll be back shortly.
1534: HUNDRED TO CLARKE! The skipper squeezes a cut behind point to bring up his ton. The crowd gives him a generous applause as he acknowledges his teammates and various corners of the ground. What an innings from a man in rare form. AUS 4/277.
1533: SIX! FOUR! Tahir serves Hussey up a rank long hop and the veteran wallops him over the rope at mid-wicket. Next ball, he overpitches wide of off-stump and Hussey pierces the field with a brutal cover drive. This is getting ugly for the leggie.
1530: Steyn has adopted a new tactic to Clarke, going round the wicket and at the badge on his helmet. It's stopped the scoring, for this over at least.
1526: FOUR! Tahir overpitches and Hussey launches into a magnificent cover drive that races to the fence. Tahir is going at nine-an-over, which is an even bigger problem for Graeme Smith with the loss of Jacques Kallis. AUS 4/262
1524: FOUR! The leg-spinner Tahir dishes up Clarke a juicey full-toss and the skipper nonchalantly clips the ball square of mid-wicket for a boundary. Another single takes him to 98 off just 100 balls.
1519: FOUR! In the blink of an eye, Clarke moves to 91 with a cut behind square of Steyn's bowling that trickles to the rope. This guy is in some serious form. Is there anyone in better touch in world cricket at the moment?
1514: Stan of Stanmore throws on his selector's cap: Where are all the unAustralian Dave Warner haters now? Hiding under their rocks? This kid is special - he will be a future captain. Ponting and Quiney on the other hand should be axed immediately. To fail on an absolute road against pop-gun bowlers is unforgivable. Hughes and Khawaja should be in - they are decimating Shield bowling attacks at present. Very angry at Aussie selectors - unless we get some good batsmen in the Poms will kill us.
1505: FOUR! Hussey pierces a gap in the off-side field with a confident push off the front-foot.
1459: SIX! Mike Hussey joins the party! Kleinveldt drops short and Hussey makes the most of the short boundary, dispatching him over the fence at square-leg for a six.
1457: We digress for a moment to draw your attention to the Ashes fixtures for 2013. You can check them out here. There'll be just 10 One Day Internationals next summer - that's half the amount on this year's schedule. Is anyone disappointed to see less ODIs? Is this a sign that 50-over cricket is a dieing form of the game? Send through your thoughts.
1449: FOUR! To add insult to injury, Kleinveldt oversteps and Clarke works him away through the on-side and to the rope. That's 10 off the over. AUS 4/223
1447! APPEAL! REFERRAL! NOT OUT! Kleinveldt beats Clarke and the Proteas go up for a caught behind. The decision is given not out by Umpire Bowden and the visitors opt for a referral. Hot Spot shows no sign of an edge. Clarke stays and South Africa are now out of reviews.
1446: EDGE! FOUR! Clarke goes hard at a probing Kleinveldt delivery outside off and gets lucky with the edge piercing the men at first and second slip.
1445: FOUR! Hussey gets away through one of his trademark square drives.
1439: WICKET! (Warner 119 c Smith b Morkel, AUS 4/210) At last, the Proteas breathe a collective sigh of relief with Morkel finding the outside edge of a defending Warner who picks out Graeme Smith at slip. Warner departs for an entertaining yet crucial 119 after rescuing Australia from early danger. Michael Hussey strides out to the middle.
1437: FOUR! South Africa's woes continue with Kleinveldt enticing an edge from Clarke, only to see it travel in the air through the vacant third-slip region. To make matters worse for the lanky paceman, it's been called a no-ball.
1428: As the run feast continues, Hugo says: Hi trent. How much pressure will Ricky be under? Clarke cant keep defending him on what he did last summer against india. South africa is a different side.
Trent says: Hugo, I don't think it's any secret that Punter will be under immense pressure if he doesn't score runs in the second innings. But you have to remember that he's averaging more than 150 in Shield cricket this year, so it's not as if he hasn't been in form, and you add that to the 13,000 runs he's scored in the baggy green. I still think he's got more to offer. Give him one more chance in Perth.
1422: FOUR! FOUR! Now Morkel drops short to Clarke who leans back and helps it on its way over the slips and to the vacant third-man boundary. Warner finishes the over with an edge but the field is spread and there's no third slip to stop him picking up another - less convincing - four. The runs are flowing like Friday drinks.
1420: FOUR! Cop that! Morkel steams in and Warner throws his shoulders at a ball outside off stump, heaving it over the top of cover for another four. He gets slightly lucky with the next ball, going for the repeat but getting less bat on it, picking up three as it pulls up short of the rope.
1410: FOUR! FOUR! Morkel drops a fraction too short and Clarke is onto it in a flash, cutting him behind point and to the rope. The next ball, he works Morkel through mid-wicket for another boundary, bringing up his 50 in the process. Clarke is now 53 off just 56 balls and looming ominously.
1408: FOUR! The runs are flowing in Adelaide with Clarke working one off the pads and around the corner for another four. That's 17 off the Tahir over. AUS 3/164
1407: FOUR! HUNDRED TO WARNER! Warner wastes no time, clubbing a Tahir half-volley the very next ball through point to bring up his ton. What an innings under pressure. He's done it off just 93 balls.
1406: SIX! Warner moves within a shot of the ton with a belligerent slog-sweep to Tahir.
1403: FOUR! Clarke gets away with one there, French-cutting Morkel for a streaky four to fine-leg. Thankfully for Clarke, they all go down in the scorebook the same.
1402: FOUR! Morkel replaces Du Plessis in the attack. He drops short to Warner early in the over who neatly tucks him to the leg-side and into the gap in almost arrogant fashion for another boundary. Warner's pre-Test critics are ducking for cover as he moves to 90.
1358: APPEAL! REVIEW! Tahir catches Clarke on the pads and goes up with an enthusiastic appeal. Umpire Bowden turns it down. The Proteas opt for an appeal. It's close, hitting him in line - but it was too high. The decision stands.
1357: FOUR! Clarke comes down to Tahir and lifts him over mid-on for another boundary.
1354: Australia have now scored 31 runs from the three overs after lunch. You wonder what Graeme Smith is going to do after taking off his frontline spinner, Tahir, in favour of Du Plessis who was absolutely belted.
They've found the ball that Warner belted into the construction site and Tahir will take it from the other end.
1351: SIX! FOUR! Faf Du Plessis replaces Tahir in the attack and kicks off the over with a big, loopy, waist-high full toss. That's all the invitation Warner needs, cracking it into the building site. That will take some finding. The umpires go for a new ball. A single brings Clarke on strike, and he dances down the track to dispose of another full-toss.
1346: FOUR! FOUR! Morkel drops short and Clarke heaves him over mid-wicket with terrific timing. The next ball, Morkel pitches up outside off-stump and Clarke plays a glorious cover drive to make it back-to-back boundaries. The skipper looks in great touch again today.
1342: FOUR! SIX! Tahir resumes and Warner shows he didn't lose his timing over lunch, sweeping a full-toss through mid-wicket and beating the man on the rope. Tahir ends the over with a juicey full-bunger and Warner's eyes light up, dispatching him over the mid-wicket fence for his second maximum of the innings. Warner moves to 77. AUS 3/110
1339: As we near resumption in Adelaide, the Ponting critics are warming their voices:
Paul of Wyong says: The last time I saw someone fall down like Ponting was watching Bambi or Jumbo when I was a kid lol but fear not because our brilliant selectors have him pencilled in to lead our A team to England. Lets get this summer out of the way first before we consider next year. If Ponting fails in the second dig I implore the selectors to recall Usman Khawaja and call time on Ponting's wonderful career. I would rather lose the series blooding young talent than get beaten with over the hill players.
Bodie says: This is sad. It's like watching a punch- drunk boxer refusing to leave the ring. Sorry Ricky, it's time.
Saying Like IT IS of Greenny says: Well said ASTON Of CBD , i am a huge fan of Ponting but he had a wonder career. Should retire on a high take inspiration from people like steve who knew when was the right time to leave. Quiney after the first test how he got out to a well execute plan indicates to me that he lacks the patience for that of test cricket. so drop him for some one new a little younger like Alex Doolan. Or radical some another all rounder like Dan Christian, Moises Henriques or Glen Maxwell.
1325: Mad Mick of ACT says: Trent, how do handle all the keyboard selectors on here, who change their team every innings. The same ones calling for Warners head last test called for Cowans three weeks ago now want ponting and Quiney gone. Don't get me started on the bowlers.
Trent says: The tunes change more frequently than the tides on here Mick... although I don't know whether I can talk - are there any more fickle than journalists?
1312: Damo joins us from all the way over in Japan: Hi guys, marvellous blog, following in Japan. Very disappointed in our start, as usual our selectors have chosen duds. Where did they pluck this Quiney bloke from, 3rd grade in Rowville? Also, where is starc? We are carrying pop-gun Hilfy again! C'mon punter rescue us! Cheers, Damo.
Trent says: Sadly there'll be no Punter rescue missions this time Damo, but yes, Hilfy is back. Was anyone else surprised that they didn't go with Starc? To be fair, Hilfenhaus did bowl consistently at the Gabba and really dried up the runs at one end which can make guys like Pattinson and Siddle more dangerous. Still, I'm hoping he will rediscover that late swing we saw from him last summer.
1309: Workplace cricket followers, spare a thought for Matthew Darby who says: Speaking of not having coverage, I work for a company that has 10 floors, all of which have multiple TVs on every floor… except for ours!! To add to that my Cricket live app isn't working. Thank goodness for fox sports Blogs!!
Trent says: Keep your hardluck stories coming through to blogs@foxsports.com.au
1307: The word is that Kallis has strained a glute - a very painful injury that is unlikely to see him bowl again today.
1300: LUNCH! Well after a blistering start, followed by a mini-collapse, Australia are in an OK spot at 3/100 at lunch with Dave Warner still there and looking good on 67. The Proteas have lost Jacques Kallis to a likely hamstring injury but we're yet to receive any updates on his condition.
1256: FOUR! Kleinveldt drops short to Clarke and the skipper pulls without complete control but still manages to muscle it to the rope at mid-wicket. That's also the hundred up for the Aussies. AUS 3/100
1254: Almost to answer our question immediately, the first one turns in a big way past Clarke's outside edge. Tidy start from Tahir; three runs from it.
1253: Very intriguing bowling change here with the leg-spinner Imran Tahir introduced before the lunch break. Lets see if this wicket offers anything for the tweakers.
1249: FOUR! The new bowler Rory Kleinveldt pitches up and Clarke helps himself to a classical on-drive, beating the man at mid-on for a boundary.
1244: Rippersportspro of NSW says: Is it just me or has Clarke played a Steve Waugh like role, albeit with a higher strike rate in doing so, over the last 12 months? 3 down for not many (insert a number between 30 and 90) and saves Australia's bacon with basically a masterclass in batting when the chips are down. He badly needs another massive score (and at least Warner, et al to chip in with some runs too).
Trent says: A pretty glowing endorsement there and I reckon you're not too far off the mark, Rippersportspro. Both bat with that gritty sense of determination and seem to thrive when the going is tough. Clarke's game has gone to new levels since taking over from Ponting ... I think he's averaging something in the 70s as skipper.
1235: FOUR! Warner gets away with a dicey drive off the back foot that beats the man at backward point. That was in the air for a long way, but the cards are falling Warner's way so far this morning.
1232: So I wonder how the Proteas will cope without Kallis in the attack? Will he be back today? They already came into the Test underdone with no Philander, and now they've lost one of their most reliable wicket takers - he's already grabbed two scalps this morning. You only have to look at the ball he undid Ponting with to realise his influence in their side.
As Brian of Brisbane described it: Wow, that ball from Kallis to Ponting looked like Akram or Imran Khan in their prime... Quality stuff, and I doubt too many people could of played it any better.
1223: TROUBLE FOR SOUTH AFRICA. There's a huge blow for the Proteas here with Jacques Kallis pulling up in his bowling run-up. It looks like a hamstring injury. He leaves the field mid-over for treatment. The injury list continues to grow ominously for the visitors.
1222: FOUR! Clarke clips Kallis off his pads to the vacant fine leg gap for his opening boundary.
1218: Ouch! Steyn pins Clarke with a bouncer at the helmet. That almost took off the Aussie skipper's head.
1217: FOUR! Superb timing from Warner, who simply leans on the back foot to Steyn and punches him through the off-side for another boundary. Terrific shot. AUS 3/72
1214: As Dale Steyn comes back into the attack in place of Morne Morkel, Luke Pollock asks: Hi Trent I was just wondering wat do u think about the likelihood of clarkey getting another hundred this test?
Trent says: If you had of asked me 25 minutes ago Luke, I would have said his chances are very good. Warner and Cowan were making this look easy work. But the three wickets have put the Proteas right on top and the pressure will be on. Clarke is in great touch at the moment and if he can get a start - say to 30 - then I'm tipping him to go on with it.
1213: FIFTY TO WARNER! A clip off the pads for two to Warner brings up a quick-fire 50 to the Aussie opener. It's come off just 69 deliveries. This could prove a crucial dig for his confidence, with plenty of talk during the week that his spot in the side is dicey at the moment. Lets hope he can go on with it.
1205: SIX! Warner hooks a bouncer and it catches the top edge, sailing safely into the construction site at the Adelaide Oval. There's a delay as one of the workers collects the ball from the scaffolding at the vacant stand.
1202: WICKET! (Ponting 4, b Kallis, AUS 3/55) Ponting undone by a beauty! Kallis beats the former skipper with a full out-swinger that squares him up and clips the off stump. Ponting's struggles continue and so does this mini-collapse for Australia.
1159: FOUR! Warner pushes forward to Kallis and edges but soft hands ensures the ball hits turf early and beats the cordon for another boundary.
1155: WICKET! (Quiney 0, c Smith b Morkel, AUS 2/44) There will be no fairytale second time around for Rob Quiney, who is caught playing back on the crease against Morkel and edges to Graeme Smith at first slip. The tide has turned quickly at the Adelaide Oval.
1152: There's some conjecture over the method of Cowan's dismissal. The ball came off the bat after collecting his big toe, ballooning back to Kallis who accepted the catch. According to the rule book, being out caught overrides the LBW.
1147: WICKET! (Cowan 10, LBW Kallis, AUS 1/43) And there is the breakthrough! The veteran Kallis catches Cowan in front with a fullish delivery that cannons into his toe. Billy Bowden raises the finger and that's plumb.
1144: A change in the bowling with Jacques Kallis replacing Steyn. The Aussies will have to be careful they don't become complacent now.
1142: FOUR! Very streaky from Warner this time. He plants the front foot and throws everything at this one, but Morkel can only watch as it catches the edge and sails over the slips cordon for another four. Do you think the big paceman is happy about this? The three well-directed bouncers to finish the over suggest not. Warner now 32 from 34. AUS 0/43
1141: FOUR! Wow, Warner on fire. Morkel overpitches and Warner helps himself to another powerful cover drive. The men at cover and point don't stand a chance at the moment.
1136: FOUR! Crunched! Warner throws his hands at a wideish Steyn delivery and the ball rockets to the cover fence. FOUR! Steyn drops short this time and Warner rocks onto the back foot, punching it through the same gap for consecutive boundaries. AUS 0/34
1131: Oh dear, a frustrated Morne Morkel retrieves one of his own deliveries and has a shy at the stumps at the striker's end, only to hit and watch helplessly as the batsmen scurry through for a single.
1129: FOUR! Steyn overpitches to Cowan and the Tasmanian leans onto the front foot, piercing the gap in front of point for his first boundary of the morning.
1124: FOUR! Strange shot from Warner, a lofted inside-out drive which balloons over the top but falls safely en route to the cover fence. FOUR MORE! Warner goes hard and in far more convincing manner this time, crunching a square drive through the gap at cover-point. The little leftie is making his intentions known early. AUS 0/21
1121: Ryan Bastable emails in from the unenviable position of a work desk: Hoping the updates are coming thick and fast today lads! Hatchy and I are stuck in the office here in Adelaide with no coverage of the game until the last session! We are pinning our hopes on you! No pressure! Hoping Pattinson stings a few of the South Africans up early and picks up a couple of wickets early! Big, big fan of the aggression the lad shows!
Trent says: Sorry to hear that Ryan, hope we can do your day one experience justice. I see Pattinson has had a little bit to say in the media this week ... here's to hoping he delivers in Pattinson v Smith: R2.
1116: FOUR! Warner breaks the shackles with an ambitious drive that carries in the air through the vacant backward-point region. Gee that went like a rocket. AUS 0/9
1112: Morkel comes around the wicket to Warner and has a decent shout for LBW turned town. That looked a little high, and the replay confirms Umpire Bowden's doubts.
1105: Steyn begins with a good over, just the one from it. Morne Morkel takes the ball at the other end with Vernon Philander succumbing to a back complaint. He's known to be a bit of a rocks or diamonds type bowler, Morkel - unpredictable but extremely dangerous on his day. Will he rise to the challenge?
1100: Apologies everyone but we're experiencing some delays with blog updates reflecting on site. Hope to have it fixed shortly. David Warner and Ed Cowan are in the middle, with Dale Steyn taking the new ball.
1053: Interesting to note that at the toss, Michael Clarke mentioned that this Adelaide pitch has a little bit more grass than he is used to seeing. I wonder if that might offer something to South Africa's quicks with the new ball?
1040: Good morning all and welcome to foxsports.com.au's LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Trent Hile joining you from Fox Sports blog HQ where we're anticipating a thrilling second installment of this series between Australia and South Africa.
The news is that Michael Clarke has won the toss and elected to bat on a picture perfect opening morning in Adelaide. The Aussies will field an unchanged line-up, while the Proteas have brought in Imran Tahir, Rory Kleinveldt in the place of the injured Vernon Philander and all-rounder Faf du Plessis for the injured JP Duminy.
Don't forget to join in the action by sending a question or comment to blogs@foxsports.com.au or by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
