Smith century defies Australia

Second Test, (day two):Australia 550 vs South Africa 217-2ADELAIDE - South Africa captain Graeme Smith made an unbeaten 111 as his team closed day two of the second Test in Adelaide 333 runs behind Australia on 217-2.

Friday, November 23, 2012
Smith graduated to the 26th century of his career shortly before the close of play. Net photo.

Second Test, (day two):Australia 550 vs South Africa 217-2ADELAIDE - South Africa captain Graeme Smith made an unbeaten 111 as his team closed day two of the second Test in Adelaide 333 runs behind Australia on 217-2.The Australians resumed on 482-5 but lost record-breaking skipper Michael Clarke in the fifth over of the day, having added six to his overnight 224.Three wickets fell in four overs as the home side were all out for 550. The tourists saw the prolific Hashim Amla depart for 11 but Smith remained to complete his 26th Test hundred.On Thursday Clarke became the first man to score four double centuries in a calendar year as Australia built a commanding platform.But their hopes of taking a lead into the final Test in Perth following a drawn opening match in Brisbane receded as fast bowler Morne Morkel, hit for five fours in an over by Clarke on day one, claimed his first five-wicket haul on Australian soil.After his unbeaten 259 at the Waca, Clarke was out for the first time in the series when Morkel angled one in to beat his defence and hit the middle stump.Morkel’s hostility continued to unsettle the batsman and seamer Rory Kleinveldt collected his first Test wicket as the hosts were reduced to 504-9 before James Pattinson launched spinner Imran Tahir for two sixes and hit two fours in three balls off paceman Dale Steyn.Pattinson made 42, his highest Test score, before he was caught at the second attempt by Smith at slip, the skipper’s fourth catch of the innings.