Proteas collapse after lunch

2006-04-02 15:34

Johannesburg - Disaster struck South Africa after lunch on the third day of the third Test against Australia on Sunday, when they lost four wickets for the addition of just 77 runs.

South Africa went to tea on 160 for six for an overall lead of 193 runs.

Herschelle Gibbs was first to go, about half an hour after he had reached his 21st Test half century. He was caught by Damien Martyn off Shane Warne for 50.

Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis put on 20 runs for the fourth wicket before Prince was caught by Andrew Symonds off Warne, although the ball appeared to have come off his pad. He made nine runs.

Next to go was Kallis, who was judged leg before wicket to Stuart Clark for a patient 27 off 82 deliveries, and two overs later, Clark took his fourth wicket of the innings when he had Jacques Rudolph caught behind by Adam Gilchrist without scoring.

Australian bowler Michael Kasprowicz joined teammate Justin Langer on the injury list - he was taken to hospital at lunch for an injection for lower back pain, but the lack of two of their teammates did not appear to be hindering the visitors, who once again put the home side under pressure when it counted.

At tea, Shaun Pollock - who had been sent in up the order - was not out on 29 and Mark Boucher had six.

- SAPA