Clark strikes twice for Australia

JOHANNESBURG, Apr 2 (Reuters) Australia's Stuart Clark made early inroads into South Africa's second innings on the third day of the third and final test today. South Africa were 83 for two at lunch, a lead of 116.

Herschelle Gibbs was 47 not out with Jacques Kallis on six.

Fast bowler Clark took two for 30 from eight overs.

Australia were dismissed for 270 in reply to South Africa's first innings of 303.

The visitors resumed on 246 for seven and South Africa wrapped up the innings in the space of 27 deliveries.

Jeers echoed around the ground when Brett Lee, on 45 with the total 249 for seven, edged a delivery from medium pacer Shaun Pollock, the eighth ball of the morning, to first slip.

Boeta Dippenaar dived to take the catch and television replays suggested he took it cleanly.

Lee stood his ground and after umpires Tony Hill and Steve Bucknor conferred he continued his innings.

In his next over Pollock had a fending Michael Kasprowicz caught by Herschelle Gibbs in the gully for two.

The innings ended five balls later when Lee top-edged a pull off fast bowler Makhaya Ntini to Nicky Boje at long-off.

Lee was roundly booed when he reached his half-century but his 64 surpassed the 62 he scored against the West Indies in Brisbane in 2000-01 as his career-best score.

Justin Langer, who retired hurt after being concussed by a bouncer from Ntini yesterday, did not resume his innings.

Ntini finished with six for 100.

AB de Villiers was the first man out in South Africa's second innings when he shouldered arms to a delivery from Clark that moved towards the right-hander to bowl him for four.

Clark struck again in the eighth over before lunch when Dippenaar edged a drive to gully where Matthew Hayden dived to his left to take a spectacular catch.

REUTERS PDS KP1703