CRICKET: Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden celebrated the New Year by blasting hundreds in a double-century partnership that put Australia in command of the third and final Test against South Africa in Sydney yesterday.

CRICKET: Langer scored 126 and Hayden 105 as the two openers put on 219 for the first wicket before South Africa captured five late wickets to restrict Australia to 308 for five by stumps.

Australia lost five for 89 after tea but still finished the first day on top thanks to Langer and Hayden's fourth double-century partnership in two months.

The only other opening pair in over 120 years of Test cricket to share in four double-century partnerships were West Indian greats Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, who achieved the feat over 10 years.

Langer's hundred was the 12th of his Test career and his fifth in seven matches since he was recalled to the Australian team during last year's Ashes tour of England.

The 31-year-old left-hander brought up his century after lunch off 187 balls and went on to hit 19 fours and a six before he was eventually out after tea, caught by Neil McKenzie at bat-pad off left arm spinner Nicky Boje.

Hayden, the leading run scorer in the world in 2001, began the New Year in the same way he ended last year, recording his third century in as many matches against South Africa.

The Queenslander had a let-off on 68 when he was dropped by Boeta Dippenaar, but did not make another mistake until he fell in the second over after tea, caught by Jacques Kallis at first slip off Shaun Pollock.

Hayden batted four hours for his 105 runs, hitting 14 boundaries and a six to become the first Australian to score more than 700 runs in a summer at home.

He scored a century against New Zealand in November when he and Langer scored the first of their four double-centuries and has registered hundreds in each of the three Tests against South Africa.

Langer has been just as ruthless, scoring two hundreds against both New Zealand and South Africa after being recalled to the side at the expense of Michael Slater.

Hayden's dismissal triggered a relative collapse, with Ricky Ponting and the Waugh twins all falling cheaply. Ponting was run out for 14 by black all-rounder Justin Ontong, who was controversially selected to make his debut.

South African senior selector Graeme Pollock told Australian radio that Ontong had not originally been selected to play in the match but was included because of political reasons. The South Africans are obliged to field at least one non-white player, but there has been increased pressure to play two.

The Waughs added 49 for the fourth wicket before they fell in quick succession. Steve was bowled for 30 by Pollock, while Mark departed for 19 on the last ball of the day when he edged Allan Donald behind to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

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