CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA v AUSTRALIA:AUSTRALIA narrowly avoided scoring the lowest ever Test total as they capitulated to 47 all out against South Africa following an extraordinary second day of the first Test yesterday.

Despite their fourth lowest total, worst against South Africa and lowest test score since 1902, Australia could still win on day three although the hosts closed on 81 for one needing another 155 for victory in the first of two Tests.

A dogged last-wicket stand of 26 from Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon made sure the tourists got past the lowest test score of 26 by New Zealand against England in 1955 and Australia’s lowest of 36 against England in 1902.

South Africa had earlier been bowled out for 96 on a reasonable-looking wicket after the tourists had made 284 in their first innings with captain Michael Clarke scoring 151. Parts of all four innings took place on the same day as 23 wickets fell.

Lyon was Australia’s top scorer in their second innings with just 14 after debutant Vernon Philander took five for 15 off seven overs as Cape Town witnessed an amazing passage of play. Wickets fell like skittles as Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin and Shaun Marsh all went for ducks.

All-rounder Shane Watson earlier destroyed South Africas batsmen after lunch in an astonishing burst as the home side were dismissed for 96.

South Africa had set off 55 minutes before lunch in search of Australia’s first innings total of 284 and had reached a comfortable 49 for one at the break with Jacques Rudolph the only man out in his first Test for five years.

But after lunch Watson stunned South Africa’s leading batsmen with a spell of five wickets in 20 balls to end up with 5-17 off five overs. Ryan Harris gave Watson superb support with four for 33, claiming the wickets of AB de Villiers (8), Philander (4) and Imran Tahir (5) as well as Rudolph.