Australia top order battles hard

Tea Australia 2 for 111 (Khawaja 26*, Clarke 4*) v England A determined effort from Australia's top order laid a solid foundation on the opening day at the SCG as the hosts reached 2 for 111 when rain brought an early tea in their quest to salvage Ashes pride. Phil Hughes and Shane Watson battled hard against the new ball on an overcast morning before both fell to disappointing shots, but Usman Khawaja settled impressively into Test cricket.The openers were four balls away from surviving the first session when Hughes edged Chris Tremlett, the pick of England's bowlers, to third slip and Watson, who didn't collect a boundary during the first two...

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Amla and Kallis steer through testing day

South Africa 232 for 4 (Amla 59, Kallis 81*) v IndiaSouth Africa's batsmen were tested severely by seam and swing on a stop-start day dominated by drizzle, murky light and a Table Mountain shrouded in cloud. By the time Newlands was bathed in glorious evening sunshine, though, the home team had lost only four wickets and had denied India the rewards that appeared imminent during the morning and afternoon. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, the most resolute of South Africans, manned the frontline and three consecutive half-century partnerships ensured the hosts edged ahead in the fight for the series.The weather, the pitch and the Indian seamers...

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