Hayden battles as Australia restricted

A watchful Hayden ended the session unbeaten on 22 with Michael Hussey, also in need of a big score, five not out.

After winning the toss and batting first in overcast conditions, Australia lost Simon Katich for 47 and skipper Ricky Ponting (0) during a tense first session.

Katich looked in good touch, racing to 47 from 52 balls before attempting to drive a Jacques Kallis delivery on the back foot and edging a catch to AB de Villiers at second slip as Australia lost their first wicket with the score on 62.

One run later, the in-form Ponting was on his way for a first-ball duck. Rangy paceman Morne Morkel got a ball to seam back, catching the inside edge of the Australian skipper's bat and presenting wicket-keeper Mark Boucher with a catch, much to the delight of the South Africans.

A cautious Hayden took 27 minutes and 13 balls to get off the mark, glancing a single down to fine leg. The big Queenslander edged several balls and recorded just three boundaries in his 118-minute stay.

His nerves weren't helped by a problem with the sightscreen at the southern end of the ground. The partition failed to cover a tunnel area in the new Victor Trumper Stand, with a flow of people moving around distracting Hayden's line of sight.

Along with several other short disruptions, it all added up to a slow over rate in the first session.

Australia handed debuts to Andrew McDonald and Doug Bollinger, while the buoyant Proteas went in with an unchanged line-up.

The home side, 2-0 down after defeats in Perth and Melbourne, is looking to avoid a first home series whitewash in 122 years.