Evenly balanced

South Africa hits back after Langer's century

Justin Langer has amassed 537 runs in seven innings. AP

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) -- Australian opener Justin Langer hammered his third century of the season before a three-wicket burst by leftarm spinner Claude Henderson gave South Africa the first-day honors Friday in the first cricket test at the Adelaide Oval.

Inspired by Langer's 11th test century, Australia closed the first day on 272 for six in 90 overs after deciding to make first use of a sparsely grassed surface.

While Langer continued to blossom in his rebirth as a test batsman -- 116 runs in 5 1/2 hours -- South Africa was left to rue missed opportunities on a day when it bowlers struggled for rhythm, direction and length.

But it was finally rewarded when Henderson, 3-56 in 18 overs, led a comeback after tea as Australia slumped from 181 for one to 248 for six inside two hours.

Langer played one of his better innings of a 46-test career to give Australia early ascendancy in its quest to remain the world's top-rated test team.

Damien Martyn, 36 not out and Shane Warne, unbeaten on seven, will resume Saturday after surviving six overs against the second new ball.

Following up his tons against England and two against New Zealand in the last four tests, Langer launched Australia's defense of the world test championship with a rollicking 80-run stand in just 97 minutes with fellow opener and best mate Matthew Hayden.

While Langer produced the backbone of the first-day total, Hayden (31) and then Ricky Ponting, 54 runs in two hours, crushed South Africa's hopes of making an early impression in the three-test series.

Soon after Hayden had fallen to a soft dismissal after skipper Shaun Pollock had used five bowlers in the first 90 minutes of the day, Gary Kirsten let the home side off the hook by dropping Ponting at third slip in the last over before lunch.

It only took an outstanding throw and a poor judgment on Langer's part to end a 102-run stand -- run out by Boeta Dippenaar -- when no bowler looked like taking a wicket.

Langer, in his fifth test as an opener, smashed Henderson for a six over mid-wicket to become only the seventh Australian to reach a test century in such style.

Langer, who was forced out of the record-breaking Australian side at the start of the 2001 Ashes during the northern summer, has returned to the side by amassing 537 runs in seven innings at an average of 134.25.

"It was my best ever," Langer said. "It was an uncompromising battle and I batted well against a tough opposition on a tough first-day Adelaide pitch.

"My concentration has been excellent. I assessed my game when I got dropped and tried to master my concentration."

Langer was dismissed by 29-year-old Henderson after hitting 15 fours off 245 balls.

While Langer celebrated his first century against South Africa, the Waugh twins made 10 runs between them in their 100th test appearance together.

Mark was out for two -- caught behind off fast bowler Nantie Hayward -- while Steve continued to struggle with the bat to contribute eight in 42 minutes.

The captain has scored just 86 runs in five innings since recovering from deep-vein thrombosis, including 67 in Australia's frantic run-chase in the third test against New Zealand in Perth.

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