Jason Gillespie was the unlikely hero with the bat for Australia yesterday, striking a maiden Test century as the visitors took control of the second Test against Bangladesh.
Six days after narrowly avoiding a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Test minnows, normal service was resumed for the world's best side as they finished the third day on 364-3 in reply to Bangladesh's paltry 197.
Gillespie, normally a star with the ball rather than the bat, was unbeaten on 102 alongside Mike Hussey on 92 at tea before rain brought an early end to the day's play with the tourists 167 ahead.
Australia's opening bowler began his innings as a night-watchman near the end of Sunday's opening day after earlier starring with the ball by picking up three of the Bangladesh top order before lunch.
The paceman, who turns 31 today and was dropped by Australia after their surprise Ashes defeat in England last summer, enjoyed his promotion up the batting order smashing 17 fours in his 300-ball knock. He brought up his well-deserved ton in style by driving left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak for a four through the covers just before the tea break.
His previous Test best was 54 not out against New Zealand at Brisbane in 2004.
"Me getting a century is bizzare. I had decided to go out there and bat for as long as possible but never thought that I could remain not out for so long or get a century," Gillespie said.
"I am naturally very, very happy to get the century because I thought the Bangladesh bowlers were not that bad," said Gillespie, who had not even had a century in first-class cricket before yesterday's effort.
"Their young pacers were getting bounce and the spinners were pushing the ball through but I was lucky to hang around," he added.
The Australians looked keen to ensure that they did not have to bat a second time in the match, the final game in the series.
South Africa's fast bowlers ripped through the New Zealand second innings batting to make a target of 249 seem a distant dream on the fourth day of the first Test at Centurion Park yesterday. New Zealand were 34 for six at lunch, still needing another 215 to win.
Makhaya Ntini started the collapse when he took two wickets in his second over. He had figures of four for 19, while new ball partner Dale Steyn took two for 13.
New Zealand's collapse was worse than in the first innings when they were 45 for five but recovered to make 327 and take a first innings lead.
First innings century-maker Jacob Oram was among Ntini's victims, bowled for two by a fast delivery which kept low and sent his off stump flying.
On an overcast, cool morning, Ntini had Peter Fulton caught behind off the first ball of his second over.
First innings tail-ender Kyle Mills was promoted to number three but two balls later was caught by a diving Boeta Dippenaar at first slip.
Steyn had New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming caught at second slip and Scott Styris caught behind before Ntini had Nathan Astle caught at third slip.
Then Oram was bowled to leave New Zealand's innings in tatters.
Opening batsman Hamish Marshall survived the carnage and was on 12 not out but he took a heavy blow in the ribs from a lifting ball from Ntini and was struck on the left glove off the next ball.
The pitch again gave the bowlers plenty of help, with uneven bounce accentuated by the new ball.
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