Langer and Hayden put Australia in control

Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden both scored hundreds to post their fourth double-century partnership in two months and put Australia in command of the third and final Test against South Africa on Wednesday.

Langer scored 126 and Hayden 105 during a 219-run stand for the opening wicket at the Sydney Cricket Ground before South Africa struck back to restrict Australia to 267 for three when drinks were taken after tea on the first day.

Langer's hundred was the 12th of his Test career and his fifth in seven matches since he was recalled to the Australian team during last year's Ashes tour of England.

He brought up his century after lunch off 187 balls and went on to hit 19 fours and a six before he was eventually out after tea, caught by Neil McKenzie at bat-pad off left arm spinner Nicky Boje.

Hayden, the leading runscorer in the world in 2001, began the new year in the same way he ended last year, recording his third century of the three match series against South Africa.

The Queenslander had a let off on 68 when he was dropped by Boeta Dippenaar but did not make another mistake until he fell in the second over after tea, caught by Jacques Kallis at first slip off Shaun Pollock.

Hayden batted four hours for his 105 runs, hitting 14 boundaries and a six as he and Langer equalled Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes' record for the most double-century partnerships by an opening pair.

The two West Indians scored their four double-century partnerships over a 10-year period while Hayden and Langer have scored theirs in just two months, starting with the first Test against New Zealand in November.

Hayden's dismissal triggered a minor collapse with Ricky Ponting being run out for 14 then Langer falling for 126 to bring Steve and Mark Waugh to the crease.

With Australia pushing for their first series cleansweep over South Africa since Don Bradman's team won 5-0 in 1930-31, Steve Waugh sent his batsmen in after winning the toss on a baking hot day and the air still thick with smoke from the nearby bushfires.

The Australians struggled for the first half an hour as the South African pace bowlers extracted plenty of bounce and movement from the pitch but were quickly into stride, reaching 93 by lunch.

Langer brought up his half-century in the first over after the restart, smashing Kallis for four then belted another four boundaries of Kallis' next over to race towards his hundred.

Hayden reached his century in the final over before tea, lofting Test debutant Justin Ontong over his head for four, after the Australians smashed 122 in the middle session.

Scorecard: Australian 1st innings | South Africa 1st innings
Images: Day 1
Match report: Day 2

Mail Cricket Editor