By Nelson Clare in Adelaide

GARY KIRSTEN, Adam Bacher and Hansie Cronje each made half-centuries to give South Africa an ideal start in their attempt to square the series in the third and final Test against Australia here yesterday.

Making full use of a docile pitch, Kirsten (77), Bacher (64) and captain Cronje (70 not out) spurred South Africa to 269 for four at the close on the first day.

Australia took three of the wickets late in the middle session, with pacemen Michael Kasprowicz and Andy Bichel and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, making his Test debut, claiming one apiece.

The fourth wicket came in the penultimate over of the day when seamer Greg Blewett had Herschelle Gibbs caught behind for 37.

The two openers took the total to 140 before they departed in quick succession, both caught at second slip by Shane Warne. Bacher was first to go when Warne took a diving catch to his right after Bichel had found the edge. Kirsten followed with the score on 148 when he nicked Kasprowicz straight to Warne.

Jacques Kallis became MacGill's first Test victim when he was trapped lbw for 15 at 160.

Australia's fightback was checked as Cronje and Gibbs put on 109 for the fourth wicket. Cronje hammered seven fours and a six on the way to his half-century while Gibbs also looked to be in good touch until he was caught by wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who was making his 100th Test appearance.

Day 2: Lower order lift South Africa

By Peter Roebuck

ROUSING batting by the lower order has given South Africa a fighting chance of squaring this three-match series. Not until the disrespectful few arrived at the crease did this third Test erupt into life. Hitherto, the proceedings had been tame as the visitors moved sedately against a listless and limited attack. The tailenders put a stop to all that by adding 212 runs for the last three wickets and they did it in style.

Pat Symcox led the way with a rumbustious effort full of straight drives and belts through cover. Demoted beneath his station, he swept past 50 in 29 minutes and generally performed like a warrior. Already Lance Klusener had scored 38 in 59 balls before a long hop brought him down. Previously, Shaun Pollock had awoken the innings with 40 in 67 deliveries.

Brian McMillan provided the counterpoint with a steady, almost stately innings of 87 not out that revived a flagging career. McMillan, 34, featured in three successive half-century partnerships, hitting 12 boundaries and a six during his innings.

He had contributed only 80 runs and 30 overs in this series and the end seemed nigh. Now he took root on a pitch of mild temper, pushed forward to the good deliveries and dispatched the bad ones that regularly appeared.

Thanks to these partnerships, the South Africans escaped the wasteland and reached the green pastures of prosperity. They needed the runs. Their strategy was straightforward. Play lots of batsmen and let the bowling take care of itself. In any case, their reserves are not up to scratch.

Australia bowled erratically. Probably they were surprised to see their guests slip to 305 for seven earlier in the day, as Hansie Cronje was confounded by a Warne flipper whereupon Jonty Rhodes hooked to fine leg off Kasprowicz and Dave Richardson, a sedate nightwatchman, pushed to slip off Warne.

It was more than the Australians deserved. Although he did fool the visiting captain, Shane Warne was off colour and seemed weary. For his part, Stuart MacGill, in his first Test, started well, then bowled lots of loose deliveries upon which McMillan fed with particular relish. Indeed, McMillan scored mostly off long hops and full tosses.

Still, it was fun to see two leg-spinners bowling together. Michael Kasprowicz and Andrew Bichel worked hard without ever suggesting wickets were imminent. Not for years have the Australians given away runs so easily.

Of course, the hosts were handicapped by the absence of their three leading pacemen, Glenn McGrath, Paul Reiffel and Jason Gillespie. South Africa's Allan Donald is injured, too, and it is hardly surprising.

Next week, the Australians go to New Zealand, then to India. Meanwhile, South Africa play Pakistan and Sri Lanka at home before touring England. The spirit may be willing but the flesh can hardly survive.

Facing a total of 517, the Australians soon lost Matthew Elliott - whose form has crumbled - caught by Jacques Kallis off Pollock. Elliott has been shaky and his place is in danger.

Yesterday, he edged to third slip but his captain, Mark Taylor (26 not out), stood firm and Greg Blewett (31 not out) batted confidently as the Australians, to the delight of another big crowd, confirmed the friendliness of this Adelaide Oval pitch.

Day 3: Taylor limits Pollock's damage

By Nelson Clare in Adelaide

SHAUN POLLOCK tore through Australia's batting with seven for 78, his best Test return, to put South Africa in a strong position in the third and final test at Adelaide Oval yesterday.

At one stage Pollock took three wickets in an over, and Australia faded from 197 for two to 327 for nine at the close on the third day, still 190 behind.

Mark Taylor, with 157 not out, saved his side from even more serious trouble in temperatures approaching 102 degrees, as the South Africans pushed for the victory they needed to square the series at 1-1.

Taylor brought up his 17th Test century shortly before tea and fought on grimly in the final session. The Australian captain had a life on 40 when he was dropped by Jacques Kallis, but he was otherwise in control and grew in confidence as his innings progressed. ``I felt as bad as I've felt all summer for the first hour and a half,'' Taylor said, ``but I got to 50 and I started to feel better, the grip started to feel right.

``It was very important today because we struggled most of the day. I was very mindful to keep the concentration going and just build a big innings.''

Taylor helped Australia avoid the follow-on with one wicket to spare. South Africa should have dismissed Australia before then, but they paid the price for five dropped catches, which could save Australia from defeat.

With South Africa's main strike bowler Allan Donald missing the match through injury, South Africa relied heavily on Pollock, who responded magnificently.

He took his first wicket before the close on Saturday when he had Matthew Elliott caught by Kallis. He picked up Greg Blewett for 31 in the first over yesterday, then added the Waugh twins Mark for 63 and Steve for six - between lunch and tea.

In the final session Pollock dismissed wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who was playing in his 100th Test, and then Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Warne in successive balls. He had a burst of three for 14 from 12 overs, during which Australia slumped from 273 for five to 279 for eight.

Shaun Pollock's performance on Sunday was all the more admirable because he achieved it on a pitch which offered little assistance to the bowlers during a day of sweltering heat.

Umpires Steve Randell and Doug Cowie allowed the players to take drink breaks every 40 minutes instead of the usual 60.

Day 4: Australia facing uphill struggle

By Nelson Clare in Adelaide

SOUTH AFRICA gave themselves a fine chance of defeating Australia in the third Test at Adelaide yesterday and squaring the series.

Australia's chances of saving the game and clinching a commendable ninth successive Test series win diminished when Mark Taylor, their captain and anchor batsman, finally left the field for the first time in the match when he was dismissed in the evening of the fourth day.

Taylor, aged 33, had been on the field for almost 24 hours of play when Lance Klusener knocked back his middle stump with a delivery that flicked the left-hander's bat on its way through.

Taylor, after fielding throughout South Africa's first innings of 10.5 hours, then compiled 169 not out over 8.5 hours. He was only the 11th Australian to carry his bat in Test matches.

Taylor returned to the field again to lead his side during South Africa's second innings, which was declared closed after four hours, leaving Australia 361 to make in just over a day.

Taylor had batted again for 40 minutes when fast-bowler Klusener finally broke through. Australia made an ominously stuttering start, finishing on 32 for two.

Gary Kirsten followed his 77 in South Africa's first innings with a stylish 108 yesterday, his sixth Test hundred and his first against Australia.

Steve Bernard, a selector and a former New South Wales player, has been appointed Australia's team manager.

He succeeds Ian McDonald, who retires after Australia's one-day series in New Zealand starting next week. Paul Reiffel, the seam-bowler joining Northamptonshire this summer, has been ruled out with a broken finger. He has been replaced by off-spinner Gavin Robertson.

Day 5:: South Africans succumb to hit-wicket frustration

By Nelson Clare in Adelaide

MARK WAUGH scored a century to save the third Test for Australia against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval, securing the three-Test series 1-0.

Waugh's 115 not out was the longest innings of his career, but he had to survive a heated hit-wicket incident, which held up the game for five minutes yesterday.

Australia batted through the final day, finishing on 227 for seven. Waugh was at the crease for six hours and 44 minutes.

In a tense, ill-tempered final session Waugh was dropped three times, and the hit-wicket incident occurred when he stood his ground after accidentally knocking the bails off when hit by a delivery from Shaun Pollock.

A vociferous appeal by the South Africans, led by their captain, Hansie Cronje, was turned down by the third umpire Steve Davis, provoking an outcry from the fielders that lasted for more than five minutes, with Cronje remonstrating with the on-field umpires Doug Cowie and Steve Randell.

Television replays indicated Waugh broke his stumps well after he had played at the ball and was retreating past the stumps.

Under the laws of cricket a batsman can only be given out hit wicket if he breaks his stumps playing at the ball or in setting off for a run.

Cronje said: ``As far as I've always understood it, if the bails fall off, then you're out, but that's all I want to say about it.

``It was a very disappointing way for the match to finish. It's frustrating knowing we've put in 2.5 months of hard work and have got nothing to show for it.''

Waugh was on 107 at the time and Australia had lost six wickets. His departure would have left the tail-end batting exposed.

South Africa did collect another wicket before play ended, but ultimately they paid the price for sloppy fielding. They dropped 10 catches, including four off Waugh in the second innings, though one the previous day was a very difficult chance at short-leg.

Resuming at 32 for two, Australia lost one wicket in each of the first two sessions and three in the final one, but they were always in control while Waugh held up an end.

Australia won the second Test in Sydney after drawing in Melbourne. Shaun Pollock was named man of the match and Shane Warne man of the series.