Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince have guided South Africa to 230-3 at stumps on a rain-interrupted first day of the third Test match against Australia at the SCG.
Coming together with the score on 83-3, Kallis (80 not out) and Prince (62 not out) have put on an unbeaten 147-run partnership to have the Proteas in a solid position heading into day two.
The scheduled start of play for the match was delayed due to rain falling steadily overnight and throughout the first morning resulting in the loss of the first session of play.
When play did begin, Glenn McGrath peppered the off stump and dominated both of the South African opening batsmen.
However, the hard work looked to be undone in his second over when AB de Villiers edged a ball to Ricky Ponting who grassed an opportunity at second slip.
De Villiers (2) failed to take advantage of the extra life as his poor footwork drew an edge from a rising Brett Lee delivery, gifting Adam Gilchrist an easy catch.
Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs occupied the crease and worked hard to bring up their 50-run partnership, but McGrath struck for the Aussies by getting a well-pitched ball to nip back off the seam and clean bowl Gibbs for 27.
Lee soon came back on to replace McGrath and managed to claim the wicket of Smith, having him trapped in front for 39 as the Proteas went to tea at 103-3.
After the break, Kallis and Prince set themselves for a long stay in the middle, with both batsmen comfortably pushing around singles and punishing the bad balls when they arrived.
The pair brought up their 50-run partnership off 111 deliveries, and soon after they notched the team's 150-run total, making light work of Australia's part-time bowling attack of Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey.
Kallis brought up his half century with a fine flick off his hips to dispatch Symonds to the square-leg boundary and the pair soon recorded their 100-run stand.
Prince also registered his half century before stumps, and while Stuart MacGill, McGrath and Lee worked tirelessly in vain to claim another breakthrough for Australia, the South Africans successfully negotiated the final few overs to set up what should be an intriguing second day.
