Australia stage recovery

An unbroken 73-run partnership between Brad Haddin, 37, and debutant Marcus North, 47, helped Australia reach 254 for five when bad light and rain ended today’s first day of the opening Test against hosts South Africa at the Wanderers.



It capped a good fight back in Johannesburg from the tourists, who earlier had captain Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke to thank for instigating the recovery.



Ponting scored 83 and Clarke hit 68 that helped the team recover from the loss of three early wickets to reach 151 for three.



Australia were in more trouble after the pair departed within a short space of time, leaving them at 182 with half the team out shortly before tea.



But North looked very comfortable in his first match at the highest level and together with Haddin took the tourists to the close without any further damage.



Dale Steyn has so far taken most wickets for South Africa with three for 83, while Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel had chipped in with a wicket each.