Warne heads for bed after 'big night out' in Cape Town

Exhausted Shane Warne compared his marathon 70-overs bowling stint in South Africa's second innings to "a big night out" as Australia scented victory in the second Test at Newlands.

But leg-spinner Warne was looking forward to a quiet night in after taking six for 161 in his 100th test to help dismiss South Africa for 473, leaving Australia to score 331 to win.

By the close, the tourists were 131 for one, requiring a further 200 runs to achieve what would be the 10th highest victory target of all time.

Warne's 70 overs were 15 more than he had ever bowled in a Test innings.

"Late yesterday (Sunday) and then this morning when I hit the 60-overs mark it became like a big night out, when you get your second wind," Warne said.

"Like when it's past midnight and getting towards two o'clock and you find that little bit extra.

"I was knackered when I got to 60 overs but I knew that we weren't that far from knocking them over and 10, 20, 30 runs at that stage could have made a huge difference.

"We could have been chasing 350-360 and then it starts to become a real mental thing.

"There's a perception that a fifth-day wicket is going to turn and get a bit up and down but the way we saw their tailenders play our fast bowlers showed us it's still a belter of a wicket.

"We're in a fantastic position at the moment and I feel pretty good. In your 100th Test you always want to do something a little bit special and after bowling 70 overs and getting six (wickets) and 63 with the bat I'm happy so far.

"It will be nice if the batters can top off a most memorable Test match for me personally and for us as a team."

FAMILY MAN

Warne's family and a large group of friends are in Cape Town to watch him play his 100th Test. Despite having his wife and two of his three young children with him, Warne said their presence had not caused him any sleepless nights.

He added: "I think I'll be challenging my daughter Brooke to a sleeping competition tonight.

"I've been sleeping well but we've got adjoining rooms so I've locked the door, bolted it and put the chair against it and they've only been coming in around 7.30 so it's been pretty good. It's been great to have them around."

South Africa's batting on day four was built around a superb knock of 99 from Neil McKenzie, who was run out by a brilliant pick up and direct hit from cover by Damien Martyn.

McKenzie was philosophical at falling one run short of what would have been his third Test century.

"I'd have been happy with 99 yesterday but having got 99 I would rather have got a hundred," McKenzie admitted.

"I'm upset I didn't convert it because another 20 or 30 runs would have made a nice target for them."

Mail Cricket Editor