Clarke, Cowan lead Australia’s recovery in 1st test against South Africa

By John Pye

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BRISBANE, Australia — Michael Clarke and Ed Cowan led Australia’s recovery with half centuries in the opening session Monday in the first test against South Africa after a top-order batting collapse the previous afternoon.

Australia resumed at 111-3, trailing by 339, and added 103 without losing a wicket before lunch on the fourth day.

Cowan posted his highest test score to be unbeaten on 98 and skipper Clark was not out 78 at the interval after a 174-run partnership which lifted Australia to 214-3.

The pair joined with Australia in trouble at 40-3 in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 450 late on the third day and survived the bulk of two sessions, holding the world’s leading pace trio of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel at bay in a prolonged morning session.

Cowan’s place in the test lineup was under scrutiny coming into the series, but his gritty 180-ball innings will take some pressure off — particularly after the failures of David Warner (4), Rob Quiney (9) and former captain Ricky Ponting (0) on Sunday evening.

His previous high score in seven tests was 74 against India in January, one of his three test half centuries, but he’ll be desperate to convert a good start into a three-figure score.

The 30-year-old lefthander had a couple of anxious moments, including an inside edge for four in his 50s and a top-edged hook to move to 98.

Clarke continued his impressive form with the bat since replacing Ponting permanently as captain last year, closing in on his sixth test hundred since then in a run that includes double and triple centuries.

He played two loose shots, including a leading edge that looped over gully when he was on 46, and gloved a bouncer from Morkel that landed just in front of the slips cordon in the minutes leading up to lunch.

21:26ET 11-11-12