'Deans often in no-win situation'

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Outside support ... Gatland believes Deans has been harshly criticised, partly because he's a Kiwi. Source:AP

Wales coach Warren Gatland believes Wallabies counterpart Robbie Deans has been harshly judged by critics and he questions whether some of it's because he's a New Zealander.

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Preparing for the season-ending Test between their two sides in Cardiff, Gatland did not intend a pun when declaring he often thought Deans was in a "no-win situation" when it came to being graded on wins against the world champion All Blacks.

After a turbulent season of mixed results and innumerable injuries, the Wallabies not only need to beat Wales for a fourth time this year, but do it with style to keep Deans's small army of doubters reasonably quiet over the holiday period.

The 49-year-old Gatland has known fellow Kiwi Deans since their representative playing days in New Zealand and sympathises with him over the heat he's been under in 2012.

"I feel for Robbie Deans a little bit, he's under a massive amount of pressure," Gatland said.

"It's a bit hard when you win the Tri Nations last year and you finish second in The Rugby Championship this year.

"You finish third in the World Cup and you're number two (team) in the world and people want to get rid of you.

"Most coaches would be pretty safe with those sort of numbers and statistics.

"It probably doesn't help that he comes from over the ditch (New Zealand)."

Gatland said on Wednesday Deans was in a difficult situation after an injury-ravaged season while the All Blacks are flying high at the top of world rugby.

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"The perception and expectation is to beat the All Blacks on a regular basis and they've found it tough over the last few years ... I think that's potentially been his biggest downfall," he said.

"Even though they won that (Tri Nations deciding) game in Brisbane last year and had that drawn (dead rubber Bledisloe Cup) match this year that they probably should have won.

"I feel like sometimes he's in a no-win situation."

The Wallabies have battled through a wretched year on the injury front losing key players including James O'Connor and three successive captains in James Horwill, David Pocock and Will Genia.

Gatland, who will coach the British and Irish Lions when they tour Australia next year, said the Wallabies would benefit in the long run.

"I think we can't underestimate the benefit of the last six months that Australia would have gone through in terms of coping with the injuries," Gatland said.

"I think that's going to give them the depth and competition that sometimes they've lacked."

To make Deans's job that little bit tougher he's had to deal with disgruntled playmaker Quade Cooper.

"It been tough and then when you get someone like Quade Cooper come out and criticise the environment it doesn't make it easy," said Gatland.

"Then you have ex-coaches and ex-internationals ... whether it's Alan Jones or (David) Campese or whatever, it's been tough on him."

Watch the Wallabies take on Wales LIVE and in stunning HD from 1.30am (EDT) on Sunday, December 2.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Emotional outpouring as Ponting resigns

TEARS are not something normally associated with Ricky Ponting.

Black eyes, yes, in his early days.

Black looks, certainly, throughout 17 combative summers wearing the baggy green cap.

Yet tears were the order of the day when Ponting called stumps on a career second only to Don Bradman in Australia's Test cricket annals.

There were tears from the man himself, tears from his shocked teammates and tears at a news conference from his successor as captain, Michael Clarke.

They haven't flowed like this since Kim Hughes stepped down in 1984, for entirely different reasons.

The emotional outpouring this time gushed from a deep wellspring of respect for one of sport's toughest and most successful fighters, spurred by the recognition that such a man walks this way but rarely.

Perhaps it shows that Australian cricket has a soft centre after all. But like one of those hard-boiled gob-stoppers, you have to suck on it for days on end to find out.

Ponting became a byword for everything that made Australia the toughest team in world cricket.

He was feisty, flinty, chirpy, pug-nosed, at times belligerent, always super-competitive.

He could scowl as well as he could bat. Then again, he had an impressive tutor in Steve Waugh.

Ponting didn't play a Test on his first tour, but it may well have provided him with the attitudinal bedrock for all the success that followed.

It was the pivotal 1995 series in the West Indies, where Australia won the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy for the first time in 19 years and Waugh famously went nose-to-nose with Curtley Ambrose.

What an education for an Australian captain-to-be.

By a quirk of fate, Ponting will equal but not surpass Waugh's Australian record of 168 Tests when he winds up in Perth next week.

That statistic would not have influenced his decision to pull the pin - he's not that soft.

But it is a fetching numerical curiosity, in the way that Mark Taylor's declaration on 334 not out against Pakistan in 1998 was a nod to the greatness of Bradman.

Statistics can often mislead, but in Ponting's case they don't lie.

He stands as Australia's greatest Test run-scorer ever, and second in the world only to Sachin Tendulkar.

You don't amass over 13,300 runs at a 52 average over 17 years unless you are one of the very best the game has ever produced.

He is cricket's most successful Test captain, having won 48 of 77 matches, with a similar record of success in the one-day game, including two World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007.

Yet he goes out as the only captain to have lost three Ashes series, one of the few things that will no doubt rankle him in the old cricketers' retirement home.

Could he have carried on? Potentially.

But Ponting decided to go of his own accord before anyone could tap him on the shoulder.

All good things come to an end. Like the tough cane-cutters in Ray Lawler's Australian classic, this is his Summer Of The 17th Doll.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sport's 140 characters of pain

Trouble ... David Campese is the lastest sportsperson to land in social media hot water. Source: Matthew Vasilesc / News Limited

It would seem that all it takes to destabilise an athlete's career is a mere 140 characters, with the number of Twitter-related scandals from our sports stars skyrocketing in the last couple of years.

Following Wallabies great David Campese's sexist comments regarding female journalists covering rugby union, we look at 10 Twitter scandals in the sporting world.

Campese posted "Why does the SMH get a girl to write about rugby. Growden who was a great jornio (sic) and now we have someone who has no idea about the game...!" causing uproar in Australia and abroad with Wallabies captain David Pocock tweeting his disappointment.

Campese then tweeted "Sometimes it is good to see some people react to thing you say. Please relax and see the light side of life. All press are the same."

Can you think of others? Tell us what we missed and join the debate by leaving a comment below!

---

1 ... Only last month Quade Cooper enhanced his bad-boy tag by tweeting "I love rugby but there's s--t going on behind and above the players the effects the whole organisation! Happens at the reds few years back", before swiftly removing the post. 

2 ... Stephanie Rice, the Olympic gold medalist and ex-girlfriend of Cooper, also caused controversy when she celebrated a Wallabies win by posting "suck on that faggots".

3 ... Phillip Hughes announced his axing from the Australia Test cricket team by posting "Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today. Will be supporting the guys, it's a BIG test match 4 us. Thanks 4 all the support." Unfortunately for Hughes, this tweet was posted before the official announcement was made by Australian selectors.

4 ... Similarly, Kevin Pietersen tweeted "Done for rest of summer!! Man of the World Cup T20 and dropped from the T20 side too.. Its [sic] a f*** up!! Surrey have signed me for l...", angering both his teammates and selectors.

5 ... The Barclays Premier League is one of the more notable areas for scandalous tweets, with ex-Liverpool star Ryan Babel taking out his anger after being dropped through his Twitter account, posting "What happened after a first good season? Scoring 10 goals, being young talent of the year, and then second and this season don't play at all?". As if this wasn't enough, Babel quickly followed it up with a second tweet, stating "Where did it go wrong??? You have people who support me and don't support me ". Obviously surprised that his tweets had not resulted in his immediate re-selection, Babel concluded with a third, writing "And one day, you will see what I'm capable off, will it be at LFC or somewhere else ... I have faith."

6 ... Rio Ferdinand discovered the dangers of the retweet, retweeting a comment made by a fellow member of the site, describing Ashley Cole as "choc ice."

7 ... Brownlow Medallist and AFL superstar Dane Swan decided that Twitter was the perfect forum to respond to anti-doping measures in the AFL, tweeting "Stop sending out drug testers at 6am. It's starting to Piss me off. What's wrong with the afternoon? You can't catch me anyway. Too clever".

8 ... Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton tried to make light of the on-track rivalry between himself and Jenson Button, tweeting "Just noticed @jensonbutton unfollowed, that's a shame...I thought we respected one another but clearly he doesn't." He then tweeted: "My bad, just found out Jenson never followed me. Don't blame him!"

9 ... For some sports people, it is not even their own Twitter accounts that land them in trouble, with rugby league's Joel Monaghan sacked from the Canberra Raiders over a picture of the centre interacting indecently with a dog, posted after Mad Monday celebrations in 2010.

10 ... Disgraced cycling icon Lance Armstrong provocatively posed with his seven framed Tour de France yellow jerseys in the midst of the doping scandal, with the accompanying caption of "Back in Austin and just layin' around" infuriating the 100,000 people who saw the picture in the three hours after its release.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney name Farina as coach

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Frank Farina ... reportedly wants his own backroom staff before agreeing to any Sydney deal. Source:News Limited

Former Socceroos player and coach Frank Farina has been officially named as the new coach of Sydney FC.

Farina will arrive in Sydney later this week and will take control of the Sky Blues for Sunday's clash with Melbourne Heart at Allianz Stadium.

"Sydney is a big club with big expectations and I'm looking forward to playing my part in helping to meet those expectations," Farina told foxsports.com.au.

Club chairman Scott Barlow said:  "Frank has coached at the highest level and has dealt with the demands of coaching a high profile team.  He also brings with him a wealth of A-League coaching experience that will serve him well as he joins us part way through our season.

"We believe Frank has the experience, leadership and coaching acumen to have a positive and immediate impact on Sydney FC."

Club CEO Tony Pignata, in his first year at Sydney FC, said the goal was a top six finish.

"The players are happy we've finally made a decision," said Pignata. "They know they have to perform on Sunday and focus on the result and win games. We've lost four on the trot but we're only four points from the top six and the aim is to get into the finals."

Pignata said the club would not make significant changes to support staff. "We're not going to make wholesale changes, he knows that," said Pignata. "But we'll give him the opportunity to add if he needs to add. We don't want to hold him back.

"He's coached at a high level, has coached high profile players, handles the media and these are all attributes we like in Frank. Also, he's someone determined to get results and that's what we want."

Farina, 48, coached the Socceroos from 1999-2005, Brisbane Roar for three Hyundai A-League seasons as well as Brisbane Strikers and Marconi in the National Soccer League.

His most recent A-League stint, with the Roar, ended with a drink driving charge.

"We all know what happened a few years ago and he's quite happy to come back and make amends," said Pignata.

"This is a fantastic opportunity," Farina said in the statement.

"There is a lot of attention on Sydney FC and I'm looking forward to getting to Sydney and working with the players and staff to create an environment where we can be successful on the pitch.

"There are some very good players at the club, some of which I've worked with previously, and I've got no doubt that with hard work we can turn things around and get Sydney FC heading in the right direction."

Farina, who has been working as coach of Papua New Guinea,  agreed terms with Pignata earlier in the week but had to speak with his current employers, the PNG Football Association and Oceania Football Confederation.

The president of the PNG Football Association, David Chung, is also a FIFA Executive Committee member.

The work commitments of all parties together with communications (telephone and internet) challenges meant the announcement could not occur earlier.

Foxsports.com.au believes the deal is for the remainder of the season with a bonus for reaching the top six, and no discussion for the next season.

Farina's biographer, Bonita Mersiades, said that she believed it was a great opportunity for him to be back in the game.

"Frank will back himself with such an opportunity," she said.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	8	6	1	1	7	19
2	Central Coast	8	5	2	1	8	17
3	Victory	8	4	1	3	-2	13
4	Newcastle	8	4	1	3	-2	13
5	Perth	8	3	2	3	1	11
6	Western Sydney	8	3	1	4	-2	10
7	Wellington	8	2	3	3	1	9
8	Heart	8	2	2	4	-1	8
9	Brisbane	8	2	1	5	0	7
10	Sydney	8	2	0	6	-10	6

"I am sure he will be delighted to work with the Sydney FC players. There are some quality players, obviously spearheaded by Alessandro Del Piero but also including Jason (Culina), Brett (Emerton), Paschal Boschaart and some young talent.

"If anyone can give the players self-belief, confidence and team spirit, it's Frank." 

Mersiades believes there are arguments both ways for not locking-in a coach for next season.

"From the Sydney FC Board's perspective, they want to keep their options open," she said.

"But that would be water off a duck's back to Frank. He is focused and professional and has a job to do.

"He understands the dynamics and politics inherent in football, and especially a club like Sydney FC which always has such great expectations."

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blues better Bulls on day one

Finding form ... Bollinger sent a timely reminder to national selectors on Tuesday. Source: News Limited

Former Test paceman Doug Bollinger led a depleted NSW attack to first day honours in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.

SHEF - Manuka Oval

27 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

Queensland 1st Innings

B. Cutting	23	35	0	2	65.71
C. Gannon	4	8	1	0	50

Bollinger (2-39) owned the opening hour, before twin half-centuries to Queensland pair Nathan Reardon and Chris Hartley helped the Bulls stagger to 7-198 before rain washed away the final hour of play.

Leading a pace attack robbed of Test hopefuls Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Shane Watson and the injured Trent Copeland (ankle), Bollinger bowled with the venom which earned him 12 Test caps and 50 wickets.

It took Bollinger just three deliveries to rip the heart out of the Bulls' top order, trapping both Wade Townsend and former teammate Usman Khawaja lbw for ducks - both so plum they prompted almost instantaneous reactions from umpire, and former Test seamer, Paul Reiffel.

It is a timely reminder to selectors as Bollinger has not featured in the Test side since an Ashes humiliation at the Adelaide Oval in 2010 when his fitness was called into question.

He's fallen so far down the pecking order that even with injuries to young guns James Pattinson and Pat Cummins, Bollinger couldn't jag a spot in the 14-man squad for the WACA Test that featured six fast bowlers.

The Bulls fell further into the mire when Joe Burns (1) and Peter Forrest (17) departed in quick succession at the hands of left-arm quick Josh Lalor to reduce them to 4-18.

But a 117-run partnership between Reardon (71) and captain Hartley (66) dragged the Bulls back into the contest, though Blues all-rounder Steve Smith paid dearly for dropped chances off both batsmen.

Reardon was on two when he chopped a tough, low chance to Smith's left, while Hartley was on just eight when the former Australia representative put down a far more regulation chance at second slip off Bollinger.

Both batsmen made the most of their opportunities, with Hartley taking an aggressive approach to evening the game up by smashing10  boundaries.

In the end it was debutant Adam Zampa (2-30) who chipped in to remove both top-scorers, trapping Hartley lbw before getting Reardon caught behind off a sweep shot.

Ben Cutting is 23 not out, and has already belted two big sixes, while Cameron Gannon is unbeaten on four.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Australia want Ponting for Ashes

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Still wanted ... selectors are backing Ponting to play through to the Ashes. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Australian coach Mickey Arthur says selectors are unanimous in not wanting Ricky Ponting phased out before next year's Ashes but warns there's mounting pressure on him from beneath.

Arthur couldn't deny that the third Test against South Africa in Perth could be pivotal in the future of Australia's highest-ever run scorer, with Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and even Rob Quiney still in the picture.

Ponting has had three successive failures to start the series against South Africa, and in the second Test in Adelaide was bowled twice in a match for only the second time in his career.

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The Tasmanian turns 38 next month, but unfortunately that same number is the former captain's Test batting average for the past three years.

Arthur said Ponting's position was dependent on runs but he made it clear the selectors were keen to avoid losing his experience and presence before Australia head to England.

"All I know is inside that dressing room and privately we've all backed Ricky Ponting. At the moment (he) has the unanimous backing of the selection panel," said Arthur.

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"If he's scoring runs we certainly want Ricky Ponting around for the next six months.

"We want Ricky Ponting to go to the Ashes, there's no doubt about that.

"Like any batsman though you've got to keep scoring runs ... and Perth is a big Test for him, and that's by Ricky's own admission.

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"I'm 100 per cent sure though and confident Ricky will come through in Perth."

Ponting has already thrown himself at the mercy of selectors, conceding a frank chat with the panel probably isn't far away.

But Arthur said there was yet to be any discussion about Ponting's future.

"No, none whatsoever," he said.

Clarke said Ponting's strong Shield form prior to the Test series hadn't been forgotten and his brilliant record for Australia meant he deserved to have faith shown in him.

"Once he gets in I have no doubt at all he'll go on and make a big score," said the skipper.

"He knows how to make big hundreds. He's still as good a player under pressure as anyone in that changeroom."

In the first Test against Sri Lanka next month in Hobart, Ponting would be in line to break Waugh's all-time record and become the second most capped Test cricketer of all time behind Sachin Tendulkar, in front of his home-State fans.

It would be a massive call to drop him before then.

But further failures against South Africa's highly-touted quicks in Perth would raise serious questions about whether he is too far in decline to see out the summer.

A young player like Hughes, Khawaja or Quiney looking for a second chance at Test level, could benefit from making their return against the weaker attack of Sri Lanka.

Hughes, who hasn't played for Australia since being dropped after the New Zealand Test in Hobart last year, is the highest run-scorer in Shield cricket this season and averages 51.8.

"We've got some young players there that have a taste now of international cricket and when called up or when needed are ready to step into the breach," said Arthur.

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Live: AUS v SA, T2, D5

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Late rally ... Siddle removed Steyn and Kleinveldt to move the Aussies closer to victory. Source:AFP

Two late wickets from Peter Siddle aren't enough for an Australian victory in Adelaide, South Africa avoiding defeat thanks largely to a masterful knock from Faf du Plessis.

Re-live the thrilling conclusion to day five, including our lunch break Q&A with Sydney Sixers GM and former Test paceman Stuart Clark.

You can also check out all the stats, pitch maps and wagon wheels at our Cricket Match Centre.

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2nd Test - Adelaide Oval

22 November 2012 - Day 5, Session 3

South Africa 2nd Innings

F. du Plessis	110	376	14	0	29.26
M. Morkel	8	12	2	0	66.67
P. Siddle	33	15	65	4	1.97

Complete

First ball: 11:00 AM November 22, 2012
Location: Adelaide Oval

Match Summary

Australia: 10/550 & 8/267
South Africa: 10/388 & 8/248

Latest comments (all times AEDT):

1805: We now head to Perth on Friday with the series locked at 0-0 and a host of changes to occur for both sides. Lets hope for a fitting finish to a brilliant series so far. Thanks to everyone who has joined me, Trent Hile, over the past five days and we look forward to your company again in Perth.

1802: STUMPS: Well there it is. What a remarkable conclusion to this Test match. The Proteas will just about consider this a victory after batting for almost a day and a half to save the game. Faf du Plessis came in just before 4pm yesterday and has batted right the way through, finishing with 110 of 376 balls.

1801: FOUR! Morkel drives through cover for a boundary. More importantly, he's survived. One ball remains. South Africa have all-but saved this Test.

1800: FOUR! Morkel drives and they set off for a single, but the Aussies opt to let it go for a four to keep Morkel on strike. Two balls to go.

1757: Three minutes remain. After almost five days of intriguing Test cricket, it all boils down to this. Peter Siddle will take the ball, needing two wickets for victory.

1755: Morkel survives. Lyon to du Plessis, probably two overs to go.

1751: Du Plessis sees out the Lyon over and now Morkel will have to contend with Siddle.

1747: WICKET!!! (Kleinveldt 3, b Siddle, SA 8/240) HE'S DONE IT! Siddle knocks over Kleinveldt with a full toss that sneaks between bat and pad. Is this Michael Clarke v India all over again? The drama continues to unfold here in Adelaide. Australia have 12 minutes to take two wickets.

1746: This is unbelievable to watch from Siddle. He can barely walk back to his mark yet he's running on pure spirit and sending them down a shade under 140km/h.

1744: Siddle looks absolutely spent but he's charging in once again to Kleinveldt. He beats him with a beauty second-up.

1741: A probing over from Clarke but the Aussies find no joy in it. It'll be Lyon to du Plessis in his 48th over.

1736: Kleinveldt sees out a maiden from Lyon. There's a minimum of five overs left now, with 24 minutes remaining by my watch. He can turn anything to gold with the bat and now Michael Clarke is backing himself to do it with the ball.

1729: After a near six-hour lull, the tension is now unbelievable. Every ball is met with 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' from the Aussies. Lyon is turning them big-time at one end, with Siddle finding reverse-swing at the other.

1724: WICKET! (Steyn 0, c Quiney b Siddle, SA 7/234) Siddle gets Steyn with a full-toss! The South African quick middles a juicey full-bunger straight to Quiney at a shortish mid-wicket, who takes a good low catch. Don't go anywhere, we've got a grandstand finish.

1721: Siddle has a big appeal for LBW against Steyn turned down by umpire Bowden. That looked to be just missing leg stump. It looks like du Plessis is happy to let Steyn face Siddle while he deals with Lyon at the other end.

1713: DROPPED! Steyn goes with hard hands to Siddle and pops a sharp chance to Cowan at short leg. He can't get low enough quick enough, hitting him on the foot and spilling a tough chance.

1712: Du Plessis remains unflappable while Steyn is looking surprisingly comfortable with the bat. The lion-hearted Siddle is into the attack.

1703: Was that a dropped chance there? Du Plessis squeezes a forward defensive shot close to the pitch and it pops up in the air. Cowan throws a lazy left arm at the ball but can't hang onto it. Replays suggest that might have been a catch rather than a bump ball.

1659: Well as the players enjoy the final drinks break of the Test, we cast our eye towards the situation at hand. South Africa will have to survive one hour from now and a minimum of 15 overs. Dale Steyn has won plenty of Test matches with the ball ... can he help save one with his bat?

1656: Paul of Wyong asks: "What happens if all three tests are drawn are the Saffers still No. 1?"

Trent says: Yes, Australia must win the series to take the No.1 ranking. We'll take it momentarily if we win this Test.

1652: The Falcon of Gold Coast writes: "I find it funny that all the keyboard warriors are on here bagging Wade. I bet these were the same people who wanted Haddin gone & now half of them will be calling for his return due to good domestic form. Let the kid establish himself. Give him an extended run. I have always maintained, if fit, Paine should be keeper but they have gone with Wade so deal with it and support him. Like was mentioned earlier look at Warnie's early career..."

Trent says: Aussie cricket fans ... we're a fickle bunch.

1646: WICKET! (Kallis 46, c Cowan b Lyon, SA 6/233) At last, Lyon strikes! He procures the inside edge from Kallis, with Cowan holding on to a simple chance at short leg. This match isn't over yet.

1643: FOUR! Hilfenhaus strays onto leg and Du Plessis clips it away to the vacant square leg boundary.

1642: HUNDRED TO DU PLESSIS! At last du Plessis gets a ball he feels comfortable enough to drive through the off-side, piercing the gap and picking up two to bring up his maiden Test century on debut. What a remarkable innings under this sort of pressure. He'll remember this moment forever - particularly if he can still be there at the end of the day.

1635: Du Plessis has been on 98 for a long time now. But full credit to the young man, he's sticking to the plan and defending stoutly.

1633: Thanks to Cricket Tragic who rightly pointed out that this is Wade's fifth Test, not third. Maths was never my strong suit.

1628: In other news in the world of cricket, England have just completed a 10-wicket demolition of India. Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann grabbed all 10 second-innings wickets between them. Talk about a Bunsen burner.

1622: Siddle almost sneaks a yorker under du Plessis' bat but the debutante is good enough to keep it out - just.

1621: Du Plessis gets a thick edge away through point and picks up two. He moves to 98.

1619: Gentleman John of Tas says: "Wade reminds me of Kamran Akmal. Without the batting talent, so basically a keeper that cant keep or bat."

Trent says: That's a beauty. Too good.

1612: Geoff of Bali writes via email: "Are our Selectors big enough to admit they have made a dreadful mistake with Wade, 3 missed catches, a missed stumping, and no runs, he is not a Test Keeper at this stage of his career, it has been and will be proven to be a very costly experiment."

Trent says: Look it definitely hasn't been Wade's best performance but lets not forget it's only his fifth Test. If players were hung out to dry after five games then Shane Warne might have finished a glorified domestic cricketer.

1602: FOUR! Kallis squeezes one through backward square off Clarke's bowling to move to 42.

1556: Gee the criticism is starting to fly after Wade's dropped catch. To be fair, he's keeping up to the stumps to a bloke bowling 135km/h after spending more than 100 overs in the field. Although you guys aren't so forgiving:

No No No says: "Wade is probably the worst keeper weve had. We need a guy that can actually keep like Chris Hartley."

BJ says: "All of a sudden im starting to miss Brad Haddin...."

Geoff of Bali says: "OK, it's official, Wade is less than a poor WK (where's Warney-catch catch, cant stump, cant get runs), he has to go. Three dropped catches is simply not good enouh against anybody, let alone the #1 Team we are desperate to beat."

Future Selector of WA says: "Don't blame Wade, its not his fault he was selected. Blame Inveriaty."

1542: That's tea. Will Australia be left to rue that missed opportunity?

1540: DROPPED! Du Plessis gets a feint edge off Hilfenhaus and Wade (keeping up to the stumps) can't hang onto it. That's a crucial miss. To make matters worse, Hilfenhaus has steamrolled Warner in his follow-through.

1538: FOUR! Ordinary delivery from Hilfenhaus; a knee-high full-toss outside off stump. Du Plessis makes no mistake with it and moves to 94.

1536: FOUR! Lyon bowls a juicey full-toss and regardless of the state of the game, Kallis won't let him get away with that. He glides that effortlessly through the covers for four.

1534: The partnership between this pair is up to 68 off 156 deliveries: that's warp speed compared to De Villiers and du Plessis, who finished with 89 off 408. Du Plessis has showed unbelievable concentration for a man playing in his first Test. It will be interesting to see whether that waivers at he approaches a maiden Test ton. He's on 90.

1529: There's a big shout for a catch in close off Lyon's bowling. I sense it's a pleading appeal more than anything, with Clarke not going for the review. Replays show there was spin, bounce, a collection of the back pad - but no bat or glove.

1518: FOUR! Hilfenhaus drops slightly short and Du Plessis bangs him through cover-point off the back foot. That's the stroke of a man in some serious form. He goes to 87 and edges closer to a ton on debut. SA 5/192

1510: For the punters out there: the TAB favour this match to finish in a draw at $1.60, with Australia $2.25 and South Africa $101. Any value there?

1458: The situation stands as follows: Australia need five wickets, South Africa need 245 more runs to win, and there's a minimum of 35 overs remaining today. I can see this all boiling down to a tense final session.

1451: Here's a fun fact I've just read on Twitter:

Clarke's average when with Lara: 2615 runs @ 51.4.
                                                    Kyly: 1882 @ 75.2
                           and post wedding: 527 @ 263.5.

1448: FOUR! Kallis gets a wide, waist-high full toss and slaps it behind point for four.

1446: FOUR! Too short from Warner. Du Plessis gets a short one outside off stump and cashes in with a boundary. SA 5/176

1439: FOUR! FOUR! Kallis disposes of two ordinary deliveries from Warner; first a full-toss, then a long-hop.

1437: Here's one of the more interesting bowling changes of the afternoon. David Warner into the attack. He's bowling around the wicket to Kallis. Gee this takes me back to one memorable afternoon at the SCG, watching Shane Warne go straight through Kallis with a wrong-un from around the wicket to pick up his 300th wicket. It turns out that it evokes similar memories for Mark Taylor!

1435: FOUR! Next ball, Hilfenhaus is full, and Du Plessis whips him away on the leg-side. Two terrific shots. With that, he moves to 76.

1434: FOUR! Hilfenhaus bowls to Du Plessis from around the wicket. He drops short and the Proteas batsmen uses the width to play a superbly timed backfoot drive.

1419: FOUR! FOUR! Siddle pitches up and Du Plessis drives strongly down the ground. The next ball looks a mirror of the previous and this time Du Plessis goes straight and harder, albeit slightly in the air. He looks the real deal, Du Plessis. SA 5/153

1408: DROPPED! Kallis attempts to drive Lyon through the off-side but sends a chance back down the wicket. Lyon jumps and gets a hand to it but is unable to grip on to a difficult chance.

1404: Whippy of Australia writes: "Is Australia establishing a false sense of security? We beat an aged Indian team last summer that clearly was not up to standard of past sides that have toured here, and this summer we have the No 1 test nation that has been struck by injury and lead on the field by Captain Bland. Or are we rebuilding into a good side that deserves to be in the top 2? I want us to hand it to the Poms, but I think we might be headed for a roller coaster ride over the next 6 months."

Trent says: That's an interesting issue for debate Whippy. As Stuart Clark said in the lunchtime chat, we can only beat what is in front of us. Sure, South Africa won't be full strength this series, but lets not forget that we went over there fairly underdone and drew 1-1 with them. We're still a work in progress; I'd like to see our top three settled and have all our bowlers fit and firing to have a better indication of where we're at.

1401: FOUR! Jacques Kallis wastes little time in getting his innings underway, with a simple leg-side push of Lyon's bowling running away to the rope.

1356: WICKET! (De Villiers 33, b Siddle, SA 5/134) At last, Siddle gets the breakthrough! De Villiers doesn't get forward enough to a probing off-cutter from Siddle and he dissects the gap between bat and pad. After a fighting innings this morning, De Villiers hears the death rattle of his stumps being knocked over and departs for 33.

1342: FOUR! Fifty to Du Plessis! Hilfenhaus throws up a full outswinger and has Du Plessis driving riskily on the up. He gets enough wood on it to fall wide of third slip, running away for a boundary. SA 4/130

1340: Thanks again to Stuart for joining us. Will be interesting to see whether his Sixers can back up their Champions League success in this year's Big Bash. The players are on their way back out into to the middle.

1338: And finally, Fritz of St Kilda asks: "Do you think T20 will completely overtake 50-over cricket?"

Stuart says: At some point in the future, yes, but probably not at the moment. It will never overtake Test cricket. The players still hold that in the highest regard and that's what they want to play. But I think it will be more popular than 50-over cricket in the near future.

1334: Mack Dawg asks: "With the season-ending injuries to James Pattinson and Pat Cummins, are we pushing our fast bowlers on too soon?"

Stuart says: It does appear that way, but I think it's the modern system and it's the way cricket wants to be. They want young guys that are playing well. So we are probably pushing them too soon, but there's no other way around it at the moment under the current system.

1332: Sam the Sixers' No.1 fan asks: "What are your plans after finishing up with the Sixers?"

Stuart says: I haven't got any plans at the moment. I'm waiting to see what's on offer. I've got a few bits and pieces to complete to become a fully-fledged lawyer, so I'll probably take care of that, but then maybe take some time off. I'll pop up again somewhere.

1327: Seamus from Perth asks: "Who was the one batsman you hated bowling to?"

Stuart says: There were a number of them. Sachin Tendulkar was one of the better players. I only played Brian Lara once, but he was one of the better players. If I played him again I imagine he would be on the list.

1324: Julian asks: "What about the makeup of the Sydney Sixers' side has allowed them to be so successful?"

Stuart says: I think you've just got a good, all-round bunch of guys. We took the approach very much last year that we didn't have one superstar. We've now got a team and a good team culture because everyone can bat and everyone can bowl. Everyone chips in at certain times.

1321: Coops of Alexandria asks: "If Australia win this Test they'll take the No.1 Test ranking. Do you think that's a fair indication of where they're at?"

Stuart says: Yes. I think you can only beat what's in front of you and the rankings go up and down quite a bit. If they've beaten India and go on to beat South Africa, why shouldn't they be No.1 in the world?

1317: JC of Sunshine Coast asks: "As a former Test bowler, do you think Twenty20 cricket can have a negative impact on your bowling in the longer form of the game?"

Stuart says: I think you need to be careful that you don't play too much of it but there's no scientific evidence to say how much is too much. Personally, I think the system that they're running at the moment is wrong.

1301: LUNCH: The Proteas have survived the opening session without losing a wicket. Don't go anywhere, we have Stuart Clark joining us shortly.

1258: As expected, Siddle switches to the construction site end. This should be the last over before stumps.

1256: SHOUT! REFERRAL: Du Plessis leaves one that hits him outside the line of off-stump. It's certainly worth a shout. Billy Bowden turns down the appeal but after deliberation, Clarke and Lyon decide to take a look at the review. Hawk Eye says the ball would have gone over the top of the stumps. Umpire Bowden breathes a sigh of relief - that's the first one he's got right this morning!

1254: Siddle replaced by Lyon after just one over with the new ball. Surely he wants to bowl at the other end?

1251: A reminder that we have Sydney Sixers GM and former Test quick Stuart Clark joining us in the lunch break. Make sure you get your questions in for Stuey in the next 10 minutes.

1247: New ball is shaping away nicely for Siddle. He just needs to force a few more strokes; De Villiers leaving comfortably at this stage. Australia have 12 minutes until the lunch break and a wicket before then would be huge.

1240: Australia have taken the new ball. Hilfenhaus will be the man with first use of it. Richard Kettleborough's waving of the new rock to the scorers will go down as a contender for the most exciting piece of play of the morning.

1235: Rippersportspro of NSW says: Might be time to give Warner a bit of a bowl, he has some useful leggies that's for sure.

Trent says: He's been a bit of a find with the ball this Test, hasn't he? I wouldn't like to be facing him coming at you from around the wicket with those footmarks.

1233: Gee I'd love to be a fly on off-stump at the moment. There's six men around the bat. Can you imagine the banter?

1227: Lyon beats Du Plessis with his 'Jeff' ball. That one swung and went the other way.

1216: FOUR! Lyon back into the attack and bowls one full and wide to Du Plessis who drives through the empty off-side infield for his fifth boundary of the morning. SA 4/109

1214: Chance! Safe: De Villiers attempts to defend a ball from Clarke but spoons it dangerously in the air back down the wicket. The man at silly mid-off dives but misses.

1207: WICKET?! ... no, we'll need to see a review first. Clarke bowls to Du Plessis and there's close impact between bat and pad. Clarke goes up confidently and Billy Bowden agrees! Du Plessis challenges immediately. Did it hit bat or pad first? Oh dear. It completely missed the pad. No wonder Du Plessis was motioning for a review from the moment Bowden's arm got mobile. That is certainly NOT OUT.

1201: As the players take stock during the first drinks break of the day, there's some mixed predictions coming through to Fox Sports HQ:

S7ME of Hervey Bay says: "Australia to win today by tea break. A bit worried about the 3rd Test with Pattinson out, but at least Mitch Starc is ready to go!"

Mouse says: "After 6 overs this morning, I'm calling a draw. I just can't believe that Australia can bowl out South Africa on the last day with only two quicks and Nathan Lyon."

1156: FOUR! Clarke drops short and Du Plessis shows a rare sign of positivity, cutting it away to the cover boundary. He's now 37 off 124 balls. SA 4/101

1154: WICKET! ... Wait ... NOT OUT: Du Plessis shoulders arms to Clarke, letting the ball hit his front pad without offering a shot. Billy Bowden raises the finger! Du Plessis opts to review the decision. It's pitched just fractionally outside leg stump, meaning he can't be out leg before. Close, but no joy for the Aussies.

1148: Michael Clarke into the attack in the place of Siddle. We might see more use of the pad than bat here.

1139: It's a battle of wills out there at the moment. The last 20 overs have gone for 19 runs. Scott of Geelong doesn't like what he sees: "I'm a big fan of De Villiers batting, i rate him right up there with Kallis and co when in form but watching him try to survive and block everything is painful, i mean 16 from 120 balls....seriously. I know he's doing a job but if I was a fan at the ground i would be a little annoyed because he is a class act when up and going. Du Plessis looks a player too, worthy replacement for Duminy."

Trent says: I doubt he'll be winning a Logie for this innings but he'll be pleasing one man that matters: Graeme Smith. They won't want to give the Aussies a sniff.

1127: FOUR! Lyon drops short and wide. Du Plessis takes advantage of the two men in regulation positions (cover and mid-off) on the off-side, punching it off the back foot for four.

1119: Did I say these two were looking more positive? Scratch that: Lyon has them right back in their shells with his 88km/h hand grenades.

1113: Rippersportspro of NSW writes: "I see Australia being able to create enough opportunities to go 1-0 up going into Perth, especially if South Africa continue to bat like they did in the last session yesterday. Speaking of Perth, just to show a result wicket will be prepared there, there has only been one draw at the WACA in the current millennium which was in 2001/02 when Australia were against NZ (the Test where Warney got caught off a no ball for 99)."

Trent says: It will be harder without Pattinson, but you certainly have to fancy the Aussies to take six wickets in 100 overs on this deteriorating wicket. Interesting to note that Australia will steal South Africa's No.1 ranking if they win this Test, but should they lose in Perth, they'll be relegated back to No.2.

1105: In the air! Safe: Du Plessis is driving in the air but it half-volleys to Ricky Ponting at short mid-wicket.

1102: FOUR! Du Plessis gets one from Siddle that tails into his pads and he clips it fine for the opening boundary of the morning. Both batsmen looking decidedly more positive this morning than last night.

1058: Well I'm not going to lie ... I took a look at the weather forecast earlier in the week and after seeing rain predicted for day five, I put some cash on the draw. But after seeing the forecast for today - with 0-3mm predicted - I'm just about ready to tear up my ticket. We've been blessed with another picture-perfect Adelaide day. The players are out in the middle and Peter Siddle has the ball.

1046: Good morning all and welcome back to foxsports.com.au's LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Trent Hile joining you again to guide you through the action as this intriguing contest edges towards a conclusion. Australia require six wickets to wrap up the Test and a 1-0 series lead, while the Proteas will be keen to deny them victory by batting out the day.

We'll have a real treat for you in the lunch break with Sydney Sixers GM and former Test paceman Stuart Clark joining us as a special guest. Get in your questions for Stuart early!

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.

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Fox Sports secures EPL rights

Champions ... Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany holds up the Premier League trophy last season. Source: AP

Fox Sports will remain the only destination on Australian television for coverage of all 380 games in the world's most popular football league after securing a new three-year agreement to broadcast the Barclays Premier League.

Fresh off securing a new four-year broadcast agreement with Football Federation Australia to continue its live coverage of all Socceroos internationals and every match of the Hyundai A-League, Fox Sports announced on Monday it will continue its coverage of every match of the Premier League through to the end of the 2015/16 season.

The new agreement will take Fox Sports to 20 years as the Australian television broadcaster of the EPL, having first screened matches in 1997.

"It's been a huge week for football on Fox Sports," said Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany

"With the announcement of two major broadcast deals fans around the country are sure to be buzzing with excitement at what the next four years holds for them."

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Wallabies must improve: Alexander

Improvement needed ... Alexander and the Wallabies will have to go up a gear to defeat Wales. Source: AAP

Wallabies prop Ben Alexander says Wales will fancy their chances of beating Australia in Cardiff on Saturday after the tourists' weak second half in a "lucky'' win over Italy.

Alexander did not shy away from the fact the Wallabies were poor as they were held scoreless for the entire second spell when world No.11 Italy threatened to overhaul them, just clinging on for a 22-19 Test victory in Florence on Saturday (Sunday EDT).

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Australia led 22-6 at half-time before letting the Azzurri back in the game with an error-laden effort that ensured coach Robbie Deans and his men are back under the pump going into their tour finale against Wales.

The Wallabies were on the back foot straight after the break when giant lock Sitaleki Timani dropped a pass which led to Italian No.7 Robert Barbieri scoring.

Italy threw everything at the Wallabies and were unlucky not to tie the game in the final minute when impressive five-eighth Luciano Orquera just missed a penalty from around 40 metres out.

Australian winger Nick Cummins scored Australia's only try midway through the first half.

Worryingly, the Wallabies have scored just two tries in three Tests on the European tour, Cummins bagging both.

"They (Wales) would have seen how we played in that second half and noticed plenty of things for them to exploit,'' said Alexander. "We know they're coming and we have to be ready for them. We're going there happy that we won here but we were pretty lucky in the end.''

Wales suffered their sixth consecutive Test loss when beaten 33-10 by world champions New Zealand in Cardiff shortly after the Wallabies downed Wales, but their performance was in stark contrast to the Australians' as they roared back in the last 30 minutes with two tries.

"It's always tough in Cardiff but they've got their backs against the wall and that makes them even more dangerous,'' Alexander said.

Deans admitted he was frustrated by the second half showing and the fact the Italians were able to spoil so much of Australia's ball from the set-piece, particularly in lineouts where they hassled Australia constantly.

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"They were consciously as disruptive as possible,'' Deans said. "It's not easy when you've got a side that's destructive like that and it was a source of frustration because we weren't able build momentum because we didn't have the ball in the second half.''

Australia's scrum was put under plenty of pressure and was shaded by experienced props Martin Castrogiovanni and Andrea Lo Cicero who have 187 Test caps between them.

"They were probably a bit to clever for us. They weren't engaging and made it look like we were going early and then in the second half they sped up their engagement and caught us on a couple,'' Alexander said.

Meanwhile, Wales captain Sam Warburton said there were some good signs late from his side against the All Blacks and that will give them confidence going into the Wallabies' clash.

Second half tries to Welsh backs Scott Williams and Alex Cuthbert were the only scoring acts of the last half hour, a period dominated by the hosts.

It was in stark difference to an error-ridden first half and two losses this month against Argentina and Samoa.

"We played a much better tempo in the second half. From a playing point of view, when we were attacking and kept the ball, we put New Zealand under a lot of stress,'' Warburton said.

"The players will take a lot of confidence from that into next week's Australia match.''

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Live: AUS v SA, T2, D4

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Siddle-sational ... the Victorian quick celebrates the wicket of Alviro Petersen. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

AB De Villiers and Faf du Plessis dig in for the fight after South Africa lose four early wickets on day four of the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide.

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.

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 4, Session 3

South Africa 2nd Innings

A. de Villier...	12	101	0	0	11.88
F. du Plessis	19	74	1	0	25.68
M. Clarke	5	2	4	0	0.80

Stumps

First ball: 11:00 AM November 22, 2012
Location: Adelaide Oval

Match Summary

Australia: 10/550 & 8/267
South Africa: 10/388 & 4/77

Latest comments (all times AEDT):

1812: STUMPS: That brings to a close a slow final session yet an entertaining day of play in Adelaide. Michael Clarke will be happy with the work of his troops, with just six South African wickets standing in between them and a crucial victory on the final day in the second of this three-Test series. The Proteas will have to really dig in tomorrow if they're to avoid defeat. Hope you can join me again from 10.45am (EDT) tomorrow to see whether Australia can wrap things up and go 1-0 up in the series.

1809: A good over from Punter. Interesting to see a bit of drift and bite from his surprisingly handy part-timers. Clarke to bowl the final over before stumps.

1806: The Adelaide crowd have been brought to life. Ricky Ponting into the attack with his offies.

1803: The Barkly Magpie of Tennant Creek asks: "Are you still awake, Trent? The way de Villers and Du Plessis are batting, I expect to see them back next summer with the North South Africans."

Trent says: Thank god for coffee Magpie. The scorers will be looking for second jobs at this rate.

1758: Clarke brings himself into the attack to try and stir something up before stumps.

1753: De Villiers is now 11 off 74. It's hard work out there. Lyon has a miserly 2/15 off 15.

1744: Not too sure what to make about Lyon's new delivery dubbed 'Jeff'. Does anyone else think that it looks like a regulation seam-up ball?

1735: Interesting point from Rippersportspro of NSW who says: "Providing Australia go on to win this match, it will be the first time that South Africa lose when Smith has scored a century. South Africa have not lost a match the previous 25 times Smith has made a 3 figure score."

1730: There's something I didn't expect to see today: consecutive bouncers from Quiney.

1726: FOUR! Siddle back into the attack and has De Villiers poking forward. He edges one wide of third slip but it went along the ground regardless, running away to the third-man boundary. SA 4/71

1709: Bobby Quiney into the attack. Can the 30-year-old apprentice chippie take his first Test wicket? He might not be the most threatening bowler, but he's at least making this pair play at everything.

1700: Warner into the attack. FOUR! He begins with a loosener and du Plessis pulls him away to the fence.

1654: Not a lot of action in the past half hour. I've seen more dots than a bible in braille.

1649: Nathan of Melbourne writes: "Is it safe to say that the idiots who continue to bag Lyon are just totally cricket ignorant? Mouse has it right too ... every summer it looks like teams will put on 1,000 on the first coupla days at Adelaide, every year (almost) at Adelaide we get a result, and every year over the first day or two we hear a chorus from morons whining about Adelaide being too flat and doctored despite the history."

Trent says: I think Lyon has put the doubters to rest with the way he's bowled in this Test. He's tying down an end, building pressure and picking up a handful of wickets. That's his job. Being the successor to Shane Warne is a horrible burden to carry ... people seem to be quick to forget exactly how good Warne was and how easy he made it look, but bowling spin is a terribly difficult craft, particularly on Australian wickets. Look at poor old Tahir! As for this Adelaide pitch: for me, it's one of the best Test cricket pitches in the country, if not the world.

1640: With the wicket of Rudolph, Lyon becomes the youngest Australian off-spinner to take 50 Test wickets at 25 years and five days.

1636: South Africa are fighting for survival, but I don't know whether shutting up shop is the right way to go about it. A defensive mindset makes building pressure - and ultimately taking wickets - far easier for the Aussies.

1627: WICKET! (Petersen 24, b Siddle, SA 4/45) Siddle strikes! Petersen prods forward but is beaten by some movement off the wicket, catching the inside edge and cannoning onto his stumps. Australia can smell blood.

1620: WICKET! (Rudolph 3, c Cowan b Lyon, AUS 3/45) What a catch from Cowan! Rudolph defends and Cowan hangs on to a low, difficult chance at short leg. Rudolph hangs around and the umpires go upstairs but there's no doubting that one. Rudolph departs and South Africa look in big trouble. That's Lyon's 50th Test scalp.

1604: Hilfenhaus kicks us back off after tea with a tidy over, as Bowling Man says via email: "Get this nasty feeling that Siddle is going to get an injury in this innings with the amount of work he has to do touch wood."

Trent says: That's about the last thing we need. However I'm backing the born again vegetarian to get through unscathed.

1540: TEA: South Africa will head into the final session at 2/40, still needing another 390 runs to win.

1539: INJURY UPDATE: Cricket Australia have announced that James Pattinson has a left lower-rib injury, similar to a side strain, that will see him out for the rest of the summer. Tough break for the youngster, who missed most of last summer through injury.

1533: Appeal... Referral. NOT OUT! Lyon flights a delivery up to Rudolph and hits him on the pad around leg-stump. The Aussies are up but Billy Bowden is unmoved. Along with the LBW shout, there's a suggestion that he might have hit it which would see him out caught. In in the end there's enough doubt with only half the ball predicted to hit leg that the LBW decision stays with Bowden's first judgement.

1529: WICKET! (Amla 17, c Clarke b Lyon, SA 2/36) Lyon tosses one up outside of off-stump and Amla anticipates more spin in his attempt to drive, sending a thick edge to Clarke at slip who grasps the second attempt after juggling the first. That will do plenty for Lyon's confidence.

1518: Mark Fletcheron asks: Do you think McDermott would be considered for Perth?

Trent says: "Look ... probably not, but that's not to say he shouldn't be in the mix. I've loved the way he's bowled so far this season - his pace is good and he's bowling with a great deal of maturity. But he probably hasn't taken enough wickets to put his name above some of the others on the list."

1514: FOUR! Hilfenhaus drops fractionally short and Amla pulls him away through mid-wicket.

1508: The skipper brings himself on for a trundle, replacing Siddle at the cathedral end.

1507: FOUR! Amla gets underway with a trademark cover drive. Minimal footwork, but an abundance of class and timing. SA 1/29

1501: Cricket tragic of Sydney writes: "Hi Trent, I want to know your opinion on recalling brad Haddin this summer. Wade only has 1 good score in the form of the century and otherwise failures. And he did not keep well to the spinners, especially the missed stumping. Well Haddin scored 2 centuries and kept well this summer. Thanks."

Trent says: As much as I'd love to see Haddin back in the baggy green, I can't see selectors dumping Wade after just a few Tests. They will (and rightly so) give him time to find his feet. It's not often you find a ready-made Test keeper after just three Tests. If Haddin is to get another go, I'd imagine it will be through an injury to Wade.

1458: FOUR! Petersen stands tall and drives Hilfenhaus superbly through cover off the back foot. Glorious cricket shot.

1454: FOUR! FOUR! Petersen uses soft hands to glide a delivery from Siddle to the vacant third-man boundary, then next ball he cracks a pull shot through mid-wicket. SA 1/12

1449: WICKET! (Smith 0, c Ponting b Hilfenhaus, SA 1/3) Hilfenhaus strikes straight away! Smith is playing at a good-length delivery outside off and edges to Ricky Ponting a second slip who accepts the catch. That's a big wicket for Australia. What a start.

1437: DECLARATION: Well just when Pattinson and Hilfenhaus were getting into the swing of things, Captain Clarke has decided he's seen enough. I think it's a good declaration from Clarke. His bowlers have roughly four-and-a-half sessions to take 10 South African wickets and 429 runs to play with.

1431: FOUR! FOUR! What a pair of shots from Pattinson. He leans onto the back foot and punches Steyn through mid-wicket, then next ball shows he's just as good on the other side of the wicket with a glorious drive through cover. Even Steyn acknowledges that one with a "good shot" as Pattinson passes him mid-pitch.

1426: FOUR! FOUR! Tahir into the attack and drops short to Pattinson, who rocks casually onto the back foot to dispatch him forward of square for a boundary. Tahir then overpitches and Pattinson throttles him to the cover fence.

1424: FOUR! Hilfenhaus goes again! He's cutting more like a No.5 than a No.10.

1421: FOUR! FOUR! Hilfenhaus enjoying his little cameo now, knocking back-to-back boundaries behind point - much to the disgust of Kleinveldt I might add.

1413: Amazing, the ball that just went for byes. Replays show the ball flicked the off-stump but didn't dislodge the bails. What luck for Patto!

1412: FOUR! Pattinson gets a four through gully as he continues to swing the willow. Then back-to-back boundaries after the ball goes straight through AB de Villiers.

1410: FOUR! Hilfy's off the mark with a lovely square drive off Morkel. Who after picking up Wade now has figures of 3/49 and Australia's lead is out to 388.

1408: Ben Hilfenhaus comes to the crease and he's on a pair. Surely not two in the same innings!

1406: WICKET! (Wade 18, c de Villers b Morkel Aus 8/220) The drama continues the very next ball. Morne Morkel pures Matthew Wade into a showy drive and get the edge.

1404: Not out! Drama in Adelaide. Pattinson's appeal is upheld and the South Africans don't like it. The replays show a border line no ball and then Hawkeye showed the ball was going over the top.

1402: Appeal! Out!! Rory Kleinveldt traps James Pattinson LBW and the umpire raises the finger after a short think. Pattinson then asks for a referral.

1356: Inside edge onto the pad. James Pattison gets a lucky break as Morne Morkel probes around the wicket. Slow going here after lunch as the Aussies try to settle in again.

1350: Close call. Kleinveldt around the wicket and goes straight through Matthew Wade. There's still plenty in this pitch. No doubt the Aussie bowlers will be looking forward to getting out there. Will it be later today? How long should Australia bat for?

1348: FOUR! Pattison gets away after the lunch break with a four through third or fourth slip. Bit streaky but every run worth gold at this point.

1340: Thanks again to Brett for joining us and make sure you tune in for his always entertaining commentary on ABC Radio during the Hobart Test. The players are back out in the middle and Kleinveldt will take the opening over after lunch.

1339: And finally, Billy of Launceston asks: "Will we see you in the commentary box again this season?"

Brett says: I've got the Hobart Test match with ABC Grandstand so that will be a lot of fun. It's more intimidating joining those guys; Drew Morphett, Jerry and Jim Maxwell, the stalwart of ABC radio. Even meeting those guys is a thrill so being able to join them and talk some cricket is good fun. I'm very much looking forward to it.

1335: Tony of Milperra asks: "Michael Clarke, when you first meet him did you think he'd be the player he is at the moment?"

Brett says: As a junior, he always oozed class. He wore the diamond stud in the ear and had the state contract at 18. Guys like Clarkie are freaks in a way. They've got it from day one and there was no doubt Michael Clarke was going to be a champion. However, I don't think anyone would have expected him to become Australia captain and his current form is simple remarkable. I think it was a one-day game when I first played against him. I was a bit older so he probably came in fearing me ... no, probably not.

1329: Higgo of Wagga asks: "Who was one of the scariest fast bowlers you've faced?"

Brett says: I'd actually prefer the pace, so for me, anyone below 110kmh was more of a concern. As a fast bowler - and I'm a drummer as well - we're not reknowned for having too many brain cells. Tait was quite pacy, I only faced Dale Steyn for three balls in a one-dayer and he was quite slippery. In that game, Albie Morkel broke my foot so I'd have to say he was the most dangerous.

Brett Geeves ... answers your questions in the lunch break. Source: News Limited

1326: Warren asks: "Who were some of the batsman that you hated bowling to?"

Brett says: Domestically, Matthew Elliott scored a lot of runs against Tasmania. He was just a class player. I had the opportunity to bowl to Jacques Kallis. He's a massive brute of a man and bowling to him was intimidating. As a bowler you've got to back yourself in to do the business.

1323: Pup's mate of Brissy asks: "Is it a foregone conclusion Mitchell Starc will replace James Pattison?"

Brett says: I'd love to see Mitchell Johnson come back in. He's got that X-factor about him. Particularly against RSA, he's been a point of difference. He broke Smith's hand in Sydney and loves playing against them. I don't think Starc's done much on his return back to Shield cricket.

1320: Lewi of Orange asks: "Who is the domestic cricketer most unlucky not to be playing for Australia?"

Brett says: There's not too many runs being scored in the Shield at the moment. Phil Hughes is the man in form at the moment, he's coming off a century against the Vics. Outside of him, Usman Khawaja is batting well. Those two guys are the most likely standouts.

1317: Johnno of Adelaide asks: "What's one of the best sledges you've heard?"

Brett says: I think it was Tim Paine's first game and he had all the new Gray-Nicolls gear. Matthew Hayden had just started using those green bats and making them famous.Painey walks out, pretty nervous, and Hayden said to him 'look at you with your brand new gear ... because of me'. I thought that was impressive ... arrogant but impressive.

1314: Sean of Marrickville asks: "Hi Brett. Sledging - Good tactic or can it back fire?"

Brett says: If you're the bowler you've obviously got to back yourself in to be able to deliver. Especially against a guy like Graeme Smith. Why not back yourself in, they're pretty long days standing out there if everybody's mute. I think it adds a bit of fun for those involved.

1313: We welcome to the crease former Australia and Tasmania fast bowler Brett Geeves.

1311: The Barkly Magpie of Tennant Creek writes: "Hey Trent, I see the ABC is declaring Johnson will replace Patto for the Perth Test. Surely Cutting has to be in the frame? Everybody seems to forget he was in the squad for Brisbane last year and if anything, he's been even better this year."

Trent says: He's not my No.1 pick but I certainly think he's got more claims than Johnson. Cutting has 17 wickets at 18 apiece in Shield cricket this year compared to Johnson's 13 at 30 from the same amount of games.

1304: LUNCH: Wade and James Pattinson will resume things after the luncheon interval. Australia lead by 368.

1259: Lunch is just around the corner, and don't forget we have former Australian and Tasmanian paceman Brett Geeves joining us as a special guest. Get your last-minute questions in now.

1257: WICKET! (Hussey 54, c Steyn b Morkel, AUS 7/206) Hussey departs right on lunch! He attempts to pull a ball that probably was too straight for the stroke, only succeeding in spooning a simple catch to Steyn at mid-wicket. That's a vital breakthrough for South Africa.

1248: Damo joins us from Japan: "Gday trent - sensational blogging as usual. Who would bother watching TV when we have this thrill-a-minute blog? Can you confirm the rumours that Australia is considering a 4 man pace attack for perth? Furthermore - and disturbingly - that the laughing stock among the Poms Mitch "pop-gun" Johnson is being seriously considered?"

Trent says: Good to have you on board again Damo. Do they know much about the red-ball game in the land of the rising sun? I can confirm that the rumours are true on both fronts. After a quick look at MJ's Shield numbers this year I'm equally bemused: do 13 wickets at 30 really inspire a recall? Especially when you've got guys like Feldman, Bird, Hastings, Butterworth and Cutting all taking 20-odd wickets at close to 20.

1246: FOUR! FIFTY TO HUSSEY! Hussey drives brilliantly through the off-side off the back foot, bringing up his 50 in the process. He receives a healthy ovation from the appreciative Adelaide Oval crowd. You sense they know how important this innings has been.

1242: FOUR! Morkel back into the attack and Hussey greets him with an uppish square-drive that pierces the gap at cover-point. AUS 6/196

1231: APPEAL! REFERRAL. NOT OUT: Kleinveldt raps Wade on the pads and pleads for an LBW but umpire Kettleborough doesn't share his enthusiasm. The Proteas go for a referral but it was too high. They have one review left.

1228: Well that didn't last long. Kleinveldt replaces du Plessis.

1226: FOUR! Steyn strays onto Wade's pads and the little keeper gets one right out of the screws, clipping him in front of square for the first boundary of his innings.

1220: Du Plessis not offering much more than Tahir; bowling around the wicket with men everywhere on the on-side boundary. Are the Proteas hoping Hussey or Wade will spoon a full toss?

1218: Faf du Plessis into the attack. Lets see if he can do a better job than his spin counterpart Tahir, who now has figures of 0/247 off 34 overs for the match.

1210: WICKET! (Clarke 38, LBW Steyn, AUS 6/173) Clarke cops a nightmare delivery from Steyn that stays low and catches him on the knee-roll in front. He's given out but opts for the review. There's some hope of missing leg but replays show it would have collected the top of leg stump. Clarke departs, bringing Matt Wade to the crease.

1209: SIX! What a shot! Clarke backs himself and goes for the slog sweep, timing it superbly and watching as it collects the boundary rope on the full.

1208: FOUR! Tahir bowls to Clarke from around the wicket and gives one a little too much air; Clarke is down the track and reaches it on the full, punching it to the vacant mid-wicket boundary.

1206: David of Perth says: "Australia are far too dependent on Clarke and Hussey, as per usual the top order fails and its up to these two to save the match."

Trent says: They're becoming very good at rescuing Australia from disaster. And to think Hussey was supposedly "too old" and "on his last legs" coming into the series?

1204: Clarke pulls Steyn out to the man on the square leg fence to take the lead to 322. Even at this stage, that's a lot of runs to score batting fourth in Adelaide.

1154: Mouse writes: "5 wickets fell on the first day, 7 on the second, 13 on the third. This pitch is perfect as Adelaide pitches usually are, yet every year we get the same chorus of "flat deck" whingers who think every Test should be over in two days. Clarke and Hussey holding steady at the moment, Steyn needs to fire up and fast."

Trent says: No complaints from me Mouse. Loving the way this wicket has played and looking forward to seeing what Nathan Lyon can produce on his home track a bit later this afternoon.

1149: FOUR! Tahir serves up a rank full-toss to Hussey who dispatches of it to the square leg boundary. Unfortunately for Tahir he's bowling one 'four-ball' an over and that's releasing any pressure he's built with his other five deliveries.

1142: Dale Steyn is into the attack for the first time today. Interesting that Graeme Smith hasn't gone for his strike man earlier, with Clarke and Hussey seemingly now settled at the crease.

1134: FOUR! Tahir drops short and Hussey pulls with venom. He won't get wickets bowling there. AUS 5/142

1132: The leg-spinner Imran Tahir comes into the attack. His struggles in this Test have been well documented. Lets see if he can get anything out of this crumbling Adelaide wicket.

1131: FOUR! Kleinveldt overpitches and Clarke works him in front of square for a boundary. He's persisting with around the wicket to Clarke but I can't quite make sense of the plan.

1127: FOUR! Hussey drives in the air through cover but picks the gap to perfection. AUS 5/132

1111: Just watching a replay of Dale Steyn's celebration after dismissing Ricky Ponting last night. Do you reckon he enjoyed that one?

1108: FOUR! Morne Morkel pitches up to Hussey and the left-hander jams the bat down on it, punching the ball wide of mid-on for the opening boundary of the morning.

1101: Well the players are out in the middle with Michael Clarke to face the first ball of the morning from Rory Kleinveldt. The lanky paceman bowled really well yesterday and was the architect behind Australia's collapse.

1053: Punter: "If I don't get runs I won't see the summer out."

1049: Interesting chat with Ricky Ponting before the start of play this morning. Punter said he's under no illusions regarding his future; it's a matter of scoring runs if he wants to keep playing. He said he's yet to speak with John Inverarity about his playing future but imagines that chat will occur soon. His hunger to keep playing appears very obvious.

1040: Good morning all and welcome back to foxsports.com.au's LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Trent Hile joining you again to guide you through the action as this intriguing contest edges towards a conclusion. Australia are in the box seat but South Africa have given themselves a glimmer of hope after a late flurry with the ball yesterday.

And after missing out yesterday, we'll be joined by former Tasmania paceman Brett Geeves in the lunch break (about 1pm EDT) so send through your questions on all things cricket now.

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.

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