MELBOURNE, Dec 27: Over-emphasising South Africa’s butter-fingered catching in the cricket series against Australia was putting too much pressure on the team, coach Mickey Arthur conceded on Tuesday. The South Africans paid dearly once again on Tuesday when Jacques Kallis fumbled a chance at second slip when Australian number five batsman Mike Hussey was on 27. He went on to make an innings-turning 122.

That followed Andre Nel’s expensive drop when he grassed skipper Ricky Ponting on 17 on the way to his 117 on Monday.

South Africa went to stumps Tuesday on 169 for two with Herschelle Gibbs on 54 and Jacques Kallis on 17, 186 behind Australia’s first innings 355.

The Proteas have dropped 10 catches in the three completed innings so far in the series.—AFP