JOIN USSouth Africa made a strong start to their tour of Australia on Friday, with Dale Steyn getting among the wickets early on, but their attack stalled later on the opening day against Australia ‘A’ at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The tourists reduced the home side to 44-3 in the morning session of the three-day match but a 122-run stand before tea, and another of 133 after the break, helped the Australians to 325-7 at the close of play.
Doolan (76 batting) and wicketkeeper Tim Paine (one batting) will resume on Saturday barring a declaration.
Paceman Steyn, the world's top ranked bowler, finished with 3-43 from his 18 overs,
Spinner Imran Tahir was the busiest bowler and also grabbed a couple at the cost of 114 runs, but Vernon Philander, ranked second behind Steyn in the bowling world rankings, came up empty and conceded 76 runs in his 16 overs.
Former Test opener Phillip Hughes did his campaign to earn a recall little good, making five runs at number three before chopping a Kleinveldt delivery onto his own stumps.
Another Australian looking for a Test recall, all-rounder Steve Smith, made 67 before being trapped lbw by Tahir.
Even better was to come for the hosts after tea when Alex Doolan and Glenn Maxwell dug in to put on 133 runs for the seventh wicket.
Steyn, who produced the ball of the day to clean bowl opener Liam Davis, ended the partnership just before the close of play when he had Maxwell caught behind for 64 by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.
Brief scores: Australia ‘A’: 325/7 in 90 overs (Rob Quiney 85, Steve Smith 67, Alex Doolan 76 batting, Glenn Maxwell 64; Dale Steyn 3-43, Rory Kleinveldt 2-45, Imran Tahir 2-114).