MELBOURNE, December 29: Fast bowler Allan Donald claimed the record today as the highest Test wicket taker in South African cricket history but his exploits failed to halt Australia's push for victory in the first Test.Despite Donald's impressive six-wicket haul -- taking his career tally to 171 in 36 Tests -- Australia were able to set South Africa a daunting target of 381 runs for victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
At close of play of the fourth day, South Africa were 79 for one in their second innings, still needing another 302 runs to achieve what would be an extra ordinary win.
Opener Adam Bacher remained 34 not out after surviving before he had got off the mark when Ricky Ponting dropped a catch after diving forward at full stretch at short point.
No 3 Jaques Kallis was the other unbeaten batsman on 40. The pair survived a tense 90 minutes before the close to add 77 runs.
Australia seam bowler Paul Reiffel enjoyed a memorable day, hitting an unbeaten 79, his highest score in Test
cricket, in Australia's second innings total of 257.
He followed that by claiming his 100th wicket in 33 tests by bowling South African opener Gary Kirsten for a duck with a ball that darted back off the pitch to clip the top of the off stump.
Reiffel, who averages 66 with the bat in his last eight Tests thanks to several undefeated innings, combined with fellow pace bowlers Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz to add 111 runs for the last two wickets, deepening South Africa's obvious frustration.
Batting at number eight, Reiffel -- who scored 77 in the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane last month -- faced 115 balls and hit six fours during an innings lasting 154 minutes.
Those runs helped complete a fine recovery by Taylor's side after Donald reduced them to 12 for three during an outstanding opening burst with the new ball on Sunday.
When Donald struck to remove Kasprowicz for 19 before tea, it took him past the previous record of off-spinner Hugh Tayfield, who claimed 170 wickets in 37
Tests for South Africa between 1949-50 and 1960.
Donald finished with figures of six for 59 in 27 overs, his third best innings performance in a Test match.
Earlier opener Taylor, scored 59 to steady his side's nerves after the top order collapse. The Australian captain faced 194 balls, hitting four boundaries, before his attempted cover drive off Pat Symcox flew to Darryl Cullinan at first slip.
Umpire Steve Bucknor eventually gave the dismissal although TV replays suggested the ball turned sharply off the pitch and flew to Cullinan without any aid from batsman.
SCOREBOARD
AUSTRALIA (1st innings) 309
SOUTH AFRICA (1st innings) 186
AUSTRALIA (2nd innings): M Elliott lbw b Donald 1, M Taylor c Cullinan b Symcox 59, G Blewett c McMillan b Donald 6, M Waugh b Donald 1, S Waugh c Richardson b Pollock 17, R Ponting c&b Pollock 32, I Healy b Donald 4, P Reiffel not out 79, S Warne c Symcox b Donald 10, M Kasprowicz c Kirsten b Donald 19, G McGrath c McMillan b Pollock
18.
Extras (b4, lb3, nb4) 11.
Total (all out in 96.2 overs) 257
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-10, 3-12, 4-44, 5-106, 6-128, 7-128, 8-146, 9-208
Bowling: Donald 27-8-59-6 (3nb), Pollock 21.2-5-56-3 (lnb), Symcox 35-9-90-1, McMillan 2-0-6-0, Klusener 9-2-28-0, Cronje 2-0-11-0.
SOUTH AFRICA (2nd innings): G Kirsten b Reiffel 0, A Bacher batting 34, J Kallis batting 40.
Extras (nb-2 b-3) 5.
Total (for one wicket in 30 overs) 79.
Fall of wickets: 1-2.
Bowling: McGrath 9-4-18-0, Reiffel 6-3-9-1, Kasprowicz 4-0-19-0, Warne 9-1-27-0, M Waugh 2-0-3-0.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
