On another fascinating day of Test cricket, South Africa were left with an enticing prospect of chasing 376 runs to ensure an Australian whitewash, only the second time at home if that were to happen.
But South Africa had to count on two things on day four. One was to bowl out Australia early hoping to restrict Australia from making a total like 376. The second was finding someone to replace Graeme Smith with someone who give them the same fluid starts that the South African skipper provided them in that historic Test victory in Edgbaston, built up a century to kick start South Africa’s chase against Australia while chasing 414 and making a valuable half century for their series victory in Melbourne.
South Africa struggled on both counts. While Jacques Kallis provided a few maiden overs, Simon Katich managed to grind it out while Matthew Hayden made another flattering but faltering start. It was Ricky Ponting’s aggressive half century that really pushed matters into the ascendancy for Australia to be followed up by more intent from centurion from the first innings, Michael Clarke, and Mike Hussey to ensure Australia could declare minutes after tea on four for 257, leaving South Africa 376 for a 3-0 whitewash, something Australia have not tasted since 1886-’87.
But South Africa would require another commanding start, accustomed to when Smith began the innings with Neil McKenzie. In a surprising move, the South African think tank decided to send out Morne Morkel to support the stand in skipper.
The move backfired almost immediately and Morkel lobbed it weakly only to caught at mid on off Doug Bollinger’s bowling and South Africa were already one down with just two runs on board. But it meant a more steady duo of Hashim Amla and McKenzie at the crease and while South Africa survived a few vociferous appeals, they managed to tide out the period after tea without further loss.
With 314 more to get and sixty-two runs on the board, South Africa will have to decide on how they decide to approach the morning session on a cracking pitch. Would they settle for a draw or prefer going down guns blazing in pursuit of the world number one crown?
Dramatic day in store!
