Kallis fights back with three wickets

CAPE TOWN, Mar 17 (Reuters) Allrounder Jacques Kallis took three wickets to lead South Africa's fightback on the second day of the first test against Australia tomorrow.

Fast bowler Kallis took three for 39 to send Australia to tea on 273 for six, a lead of 68. Andrew Symonds was 41 not out with Shane Warne yet to score.

Australia, who resumed at 63 for one, have lost their last four wickets for 80 runs and opener Matthew Hayden fell six runs short of his century.

Kallis took his first wicket with what became the last ball of the morning session when Australian captain Ricky Ponting drove and was caught by Andrew Hall at short cover.

Ponting hit eight fours and a six in his 74, and his dismissal ended a stand of 154 he shared with Matthew Hayden.

Ponting escaped when when he edged a delivery from medium pacer Hall past wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, who was slow to react to the chance. He had another life when he hoisted a ball from Hall to fine leg, where Andre Nel dropped the catch.

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini struck after lunch when Hayden hooked a delivery to midwicket where Jacques Rudolph took the catch to dismiss the opener for 94, including 14 fours and a six.

Seven overs later Hall had Michael Hussey caught behind off the inside edge for six and Australia were 236 for five when Damien Martyn, who scored 22, edged Kallis to Boucher.

Kallis reduced the visitors to 272 for six when Adam Gilchrist steered a catch to Graeme Smith at first slip to be dismissed for 12.

REUTERS DH KP2102