Steyn sparks Australia collapse

DALE Steyn engineered another Australian batting collapse as South Africa ended day two of the second Test trailing by just 30 runs with all ten second-innings wickets intact.

Steyn took four for 64 in 18 overs to help bowl out Australia for 296 in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 266. South Africa’s second innings was cut short by bad light after just four balls with the hosts 0 without loss.

Australian openers Shane Watson and Phil Hughes earlier both scored 88 as the visitors soared to 174 for nought, before crashing in the afternoon session as South Africa’s bowling improved considerably.

Seamer Vernon Philander started the collapse when he forced Hughes to edge to AB de Villiers at first slip. Watson then pulled Jacques Kallis to Imran Tahir on the midwicket boundary while Ricky Ponting lasted just three balls before Steyn trapped him lbw for a duck.

Mitchell Johnson’s 38 not out helped Australia first match South Africa’s first-innings total and then gain a small lead. Leg-spinner Tahir wrapped up the tail with his first three test wickets, at a cost of 55 runs in 13.4 overs.