South Africa rallied to 140-3 by tea on the opening day of the second test against Australia after being 70-3.

Part-time seam bowler Greg Blewett took two wickets in one over as Australia threatened to take early control in Sydney.

Ricky Ponting ran out number three batsman Jacques Kallis - whose century salvaged a draw for South Africa in the first test - with a direct throw to the bowler's end.

Three balls earlier, Blewett trapped opener Adam Bacher leg before wicket for 39.

South African opener Gary Kirsten also fell to paceman Glenn McGrath before lunch.

By tea South African skipper Hansie Cronje, who had won the toss, was unbeaten on 25 alongside the recalled Herschelle Gibbs (43) as the two added a patient 70.

But the match had threatened to degenerate into farce before the first ball was bowled after a series of blunders.

First the game was delayed for 30 minutes because groundsmen had over-watered part of the square.

Then the tourists were introduced as South Australia and the South African national anthem had to be repeated because the singer could not hear his own voice.

Finally the drinks wagon, used to carry liquid to the players, broke down in the middle of the ground.

The scoreboard at tea was:

• G Kirsten c Taylor b McGrath 11
• A Bacher lbw b Blewett 39
• J Kallis run out 16
• W Cronje not out 25
• H Gibbs not out 43
• Extras (lb2, nb4) 6
• Total (3 wkts, 64 overs) 140

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©