Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden both scored hundreds to put Australia in command of the third and final test against South Africa on Wednesday. Langer scored 126 and Hayden 105 during a 219-run stand for the opening wicket at the Sydney Cricket Ground before South Africa struck back to restrict Australia to 267 for three when drinks were taken after tea on the first day.
Langer's hundred was the 12th of his test career and his fifth in seven matches since he was recalled to the Australian team during last year's Ashes tour of England. He brought up his century after lunch off 187 balls and went on to hit 19 fours and a six before he was eventually out after tea, caught by Neil McKenzie at bat-pad off left arm spinner Nicky Boje.
Hayden, the leading runscorer in the world in 2001, began the new year in the same way he ended last year, recording his third century of the three match series against South Africa. The Queenslander had a let off on 68 when he was dropped by Boeta Dippenaar but did not make another mistake until he fell in the second over after tea, caught by Jacques Kallis at first slip off Shaun Pollock.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
