BRISBANE — Skipper Michael Clarke said the big positive for Australia in Tuesday's drawn Gabba Test was his team's bowling performance against South Africa's heavyweight top order. The Proteas salvaged a draw under pressure by batting out 68 overs to finish the final day 166 for five with its last recognized batsman at the crease, after trailing the Australians by 115 runs in the first innings. Psychologically, Clarke's third-ranked team takes the edge into next week's second Adelaide Test in the pivotal match of the three-match series, which could lift the Australians back to the top ranking with a series victory. “There are a lot of positives to come of this Test,” Clarke said. “Unfortunately, we didn't get a win, but we can certainly use the momentum that we take from this game to Adelaide. “It is a positive to get the South African top order out twice in the Test.” Clarke was named the man-of-the-match for his third double-century of the year, his unbeaten 259 which turned the match away from the Proteas over the closing two days after coming with his team wobbling at 40 for three on Sunday's third day. The Australian skipper is the highest scorer in Tests this year with 1,041 runs and averaging 115.66. “The team showed a lot of character after day one. I wish we had a bit of play on that washed out day (Saturday), but I think the boys deserve a lot of credit for their attitudes,” he said. Clarke said no one crossed the line as tempers frayed in the middle session as Australia's bowlers battled to make inroads into the Proteas' batting. No-balls torment bowlers. Technology tormented the bowlers in the Test with three dismissals overturned by no-ball reviews. Three times in the first Gabba Test — with Australia denied twice and the Proteas once — a wicket was denied by the third umpire's technology after the bowler marginally overstepped with his front foot. There was a flashpoint Tuesday when Amla, on seven, chopped a James Pattinson delivery on to his stumps as the tourists were under pressure at 26 for one. Pattinson's heel was judged just over the popping crease after replays and the third umpire made the correct call to let Amla stay out in the middle. Fellow Australian paceman Peter Siddle was denied in the same manner against Jacques Kallis on day one while Proteas quick Morne Morkel was the victim of a dubious call when Ed Cowan gloved down the leg-side late on day three. — Agencies
Scoreboard
South Africa (1st Innings) 450 Australia (1st Innings) Cowan run out (Steyn 136 Warner c Kallis b Steyn 04 Quiney c Steyn b Morkel 09 Ponting c Kallis b Morkel 00 Clarke not out 259 M. Hussey c Du Plessis b Morkel 100 Wade not out 19 Extras (lb14, w1, nb23) 38 Total (5 wkts dec., 138 overs) 565 Falls: 1-13 (Warner), 2-30 (Quiney), 3-40 (Ponting), 4-299 (Cowan), 5-527 (Hussey). Bowling: Steyn 30-3-129-1 (1nb), Philander 30-3-103-0 (8nb), Morkel 31-6-127-3 (2nb), Kleinveldt 21-1-97-0 (12nb, 1w), Kallis 12-3-30-0, Smith 9-0-36-0, Amla 2-0-9-0, Petersen 3-0-20-0. South Africa 2nd Innings Petersen c Wade b Pattinson 05 Smith c Quiney b Pattinson 23 Amla c Hussey b Siddle 38 Kallis c Clarke b Lyon 49 De Villiers not out 29 Rudolph lbw b Lyon 11 Philander not out 01 Extras (b2, w4, nb4) 10 Total (5 wkts, 68 overs) 166 Falls: 1-6 (Petersen), 2-55 (Smith), 3-102 (Amla), 4-129 (Kallis), 5-165 (Rudolph). Bowling: Hilfenhaus 15-3-26-0 (1w), Pattinson 19-3-58-2 (2nb, 3w), Siddle 17-4-36-1 (2nb), Lyon 13-5-41-2, Quiney 4-3-3-0. Man of the Match: Michael Clarke.
