South Africa consolidated after lunch to assume control of the second Test against Australia in Johannesburg.
The Proteas rallied thanks to Hashim Amla (69 not out) and AB de Villiers (54 not out) to be 3 for 191 at tea, a lead of 161 runs.
Debutant fast bowler Pat Cummins had put Australia in a strong position with two wickets in the first session of day three, but despite a few close calls, South Africa did not lose another wicket in the second session.
Cummins (2 for 46) was by far the standout, but his more experienced fast-bowling partners Mitchell Johnson (0 for 58) and Peter Siddle (0 for 38) struggled to break through.
Amla and de Villiers had put on a 101-run partnership (nine boundaries each) after coming together at the precarious position of 3 for 90.
History is against Australia, as only four teams have ever won in Johannesburg batting last.
The record fourth-innings run chase at The Wanderers ground is 294 by Australia in 2006, while South Africa successfully chased 220 to beat New Zealand also in 2006.
With its current indifferent form, Australia cannot afford to be chasing many more than 250 on the last two days of the Test.
Cummins earlier announced himself as a future leader of the attack with a brilliant performance in the opening session.
Under-pressure fast bowler Johnson drastically shortened his run-up, determined to try anything in a bid to return to form and stay in the team.
The desperate measure did not work and Johnson was still wicketless at tea.
Cummins and five-game rookie spinner Nathan Lyon (1 for 35) stepped up in a match Australia must win to square the series, also slowed as a hot afternoon dragged on.
Openers Jacques Rudolph (24) and Graeme Smith (36) had comfortably progressed to 40 without loss before a Cummins bouncer caused Rudolph to miss-time his hook and pop one straight up for Brad Haddin.
Smith and Amla got going for a while as well but persistent bowling from Lyon eventually cracked the South African skipper and Smith carelessly guided one to Phil Hughes at backward point to make the score 2 for 75.
Cummins was at his best in the 28th over when he worked out danger man Jacques Kallis (2) with a ball that did just enough and got an edge to Michael Clarke at second slip.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, south-africa, australia First posted November 20, 2011 00:40:16
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