Gibbs helps SA stretch lead

2006-04-02 13:03

Johannesburg - Herschelle Gibbs batted aggressively as South Africa built on a first innings lead of 33 on the third day of the third and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

South Africa were 83 for two at lunch, an overall lead of 116, with Gibbs unbeaten on 47, scored off 68 balls. His previous highest score in the series was 18.

Australian opening bowler Stuart Clark took both wickets and had figures of two for 30 from eight overs.

Fellow new ball bowler Brett Lee earlier scored 22 of the 24 runs added by Australia before he was last man out for a career-best 64. Australia were all out for 270.

Lee was caught at deep mid-off from the bowling of fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, who finished with six for 100.

Lee was involved in a controversial incident off the eighth ball of the day. With his score on 45 he edged Shaun Pollock to first slip, where Boeta Dippenaar held what television replays indicated was a legitimate catch.

Lee stood his ground and was given not out after umpire Tony Hill consulted with square leg umpire Steve Bucknor.

The decision unleashed boos from the crowd following an incident Friday when Bucknor confirmed from square leg that Australia's Matthew Hayden had held a slip catch to dismiss Jacques Rudolph, even though television replays were inconclusive.

South Africa quickly lost AB de Villiers, who padded up to a ball from Clark which cut back and hit his off stump. But Gibbs and Boeta Dippenaar added 46 with positive stroke play before Dippenaar slashed Clark hard to gully where Hayden flung himself to his left to hold an outstanding catch.

Australia clinched the series by winning the first two Tests. On their previous two tours of South Africa they won the first two Tests but lost the third.

Meanwhile, Australian opening batsman Justin Langer, who retired hurt after being hit on the head by a ball from Makhaya Ntini Saturday, stayed at the team hotel Sunday recovering from concussion.

- AFP