Australia in double trouble at Cape Town

South African opener Ashwell Prince plays a leg-side shot during his hundred as Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin looks on during the second day of the third Test against Australia in Cape Town yesterday. PIC/AP

It put South Africa on track to secure a consolation win.

Australia clinched the series by winning the first two Tests. Controversy surrounded Prince's return to the South African side but the little left-hander seemed unruffled as he moved to his 11th Test century. His hundred came up off 152 balls when he slammed leg-spinner Bryce McGain to the mid-off boundary. He exchanged handshakes with batting partner Kallis, who was named South African captain after Prince had initially been given the job.

Kallis leapt in the air to celebrate the century that took him to his 31st Test hundred but his first in 22 innings spread over 11 months. His joy turned to consternation when umpire Asad Rauf signalled a leg bye. Then there was confusion when Rauf reversed his decision after television replays showed the ball had hit his bat.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting protested but the run stood.

Opening condition
Prince's selection was conditional on him opening the batting instead of slotting into his normal position in the middle. If he was upset by the move he didn't show it. His innings had several phases. He made a brisk start, scoring 37 off 36 balls before the close on the first day, then had to grind his way to a half-century off another 40 deliveries against tight bowling in the first hour yesterday.

His fluency returned as the intensity of the bowling eased and his century came in the middle of a flurry of three boundaries off successive balls from McGain.

After reaching his century, Prince again scored slowly before picking up the pace again in a 160-run third wicket stand with Kallis which came off 231 balls. He fell to a legside catch by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off his glove against Ben Hilfenfaus.

He was initially given not out by umpire Steve Bucknor but the decision was reversed after the Australians asked for a referral.

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