06 January, 2009

Doug Bollinger South Africa will enter the final day of the third 3 Mobile Test against Australia needing a further 314 runs to pull off an improbable win.

Set an imposing victory target of 376 from a minimum 116 overs, the Proteas are 1-62 at stumps on day four.

Stand-in skipper Neil McKenzie (25) and Hashim Amla (30) will resume the fight for a history-making last-day win – and series clean sweep – with at least 90 overs to be bowled.

Past run chases at the SCG suggest victory will elude the Proteas on a wearing wicket.

Australia's fourth innings total of 2-288 in the 2005/06 season against South Africa is the highest winning total in a Sydney Test.

The tourists' task is made more difficult by the absence of skipper Graeme Smith who is nursing a broken finger and troublesome left elbow and is highly unlikely to take any further part in proceedings.

After Australia declared its seconds innings closed at 4-257, Doug Bollinger (1-11) made the early breakthrough, picking up his first Test wicket after makeshift opener Morne Morkel (0) chipped a catch to Mitchell Johnson at mid on.

Amla survived a close call on five, edging Peter Siddle (0-16) past a late diving Brad Haddin.

Ricky Ponting closed his side's innings after Michael Clarke (41) was caught in the deep going after quick runs.

Michael Hussey remained not out on 45.

Australia resumed on day four at 0-33 with Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich at the crease.

Hayden (39) dragged Morne Morkel (2-38) on to his stumps after working hard in an attempt to build his first substantial score of the summer.

He belted seven fours in a 63-ball stay that produced just as much sweat as substance.

The 37-year-old was given a rousing send-off by the SCG crowd.

Ricky Ponting (53) almost collected a golden pair after leaving the first ball he faced only for it to catch the inside edge of his bat, narrowly missing the stumps and going down to the boundary for four.


The Australian skipper's innings then flourished as he raced to a half-century at almost a run-a-ball rate.

It came as a surprise when he played on to Morkel attempting a cut shot.

There was also plenty of surprise when Simon Katich (61) was given out lbw to Dale Steyn (1-60), with only wicket-keeper Mark Boucher seemingly interested in an appeal.

Clarke and Hussey then combined for a fourth wicket partnership of 76 that has helped place Australia in the box seat to win for the first time this series.