After a top order collapse that saw Australia reeling at 3 for 15, Simon Katich and Michael Clarke help the Aussies resurrect the innings and to get the home side to 9/341 at stumps on day one against South Africa at the Waca.

Australia lost Hayden to Makaya Ntini in the third of over of the match followed by Ponting the very next ball. The Proteas were ecstatic when Michael Hussey also fell for a duck not long after when he edged one to slip off Dale Steyn.

Katich and Clarke steadied the ship and both looked comfortable at the crease as the pushed onto lunch, Katich taking to Kallis on the way with three consecutive fours. Both players passed 50 after the break as they pushed past their 100 run partnership putting Australia back on track. South Africa then got the double breakthrough when Katich was LBW to Morkel and Clarke’s loss of concentration saw him spoon one to Graeme Smith at mid on.

After settling in Symonds and Haddin turned up the heat, taking to the South African off spinner Paul Harris. The innings was a relief for Andrew Symonds who had been struggling for as of late after spending time out of the game due to controversial behavior. The big Queenslander belted 57 from 68 balls before he holed out in the deep off Harris. Haddin then pushed on with Brett Lee before he also holed out in the deep.

Brett Lee soon followed and it looked like South Africa would knock over the tail but once again Australia, but Jason Krejza and Mitchell Johnson managed a 38 run partnership before Johnson was adjudged LBW on the last ball of the day.