Aussies set for consolation win
Morne Morkel's bowling failed to restrict Australia, before he was out second ball in South Africa's second innings
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Tuesday, 06, Jan 2009 10:38
South Africa face an uphill struggle to win the third Test against Australia in Sydney after ending the fourth day on 62-1, chasing a victory target of 376.
Half-centuries from captain Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich set up a declaration from the hosts on 257-4, before Doug Bollinger took the wicket of surprise opener Morne Morkel as the tourists failed to see out a testing final 26 overs of the day.
Already holding a lead of 151 going into the fourth day's play, Australia started well until the out-of-form Matthew Hayden (39) was clean bowled by Morkel with the score on 62.
However, Ponting (53) joined Katich at the crease and began to build a solid partnership - moving the score on to 134 until the skipper became Morkel's second victim.
Katich continued to impress with some watchful play coupled with expansive shot-making when possible.
But his progress was halted when Dale Steyn trapped him lbw for 61, with the score on 181-3.
By this time, however, the hosts were well on top against a demoralised Proteas attack and middle-order men Mike Hussey (45 not out) and Michael Clarke (41) pushed the lead past 350.
When Clarke was out to spinner Paul Harris, caught close in by Hashim Amla, Ponting waved Hussey in and set about looking for the nine wickets needed to win the third Test, with Smith out injured, despite already being 2-0 down in the series.
And the hosts could not have had a better start when Morkel was out to only his second delivery, caught by Mitchell Johnson for Bollinger's maiden Test wicket.
Number three Amla (30 not out) and opener Neil McKenzie (25 not out) carefully saw out the rest of the session, but will need a superb final day on a wearing pitch to salvage at least a draw.
A win for the tourists, which is not out of the question given that they will have an entire day to bat, would result in the first whitewash of Australia on home soil since the late 19th century.
It would also see Ponting's men relinquish the world number one ranking they have held for the majority of the last 13 years.