Hashim Amla was unbeaten on 99 as South Africa built a 292-run lead over Australia at stumps on day two of the third Test.
The Proteas took the Test match away from the home side courtesy of a dominant 178-run stand between Amla and Graeme Smith from just 150 balls.
Australia had earlier been dismissed for just 163 in the middle session to concede a 62-run deficit.
Look back on how we covered an eventful second day (all times AEDT).
9:40pm: That's it from day two at the WACA. Join us tomorrow to see if Australia can somehow pull this one out of the fire. Bye for now.
9:24pm: Corbin is now speaking with South African quick Dale Steyn, who took 4 for 40 to tear the Aussies apart earlier today. He admits the Proteas have "been playing catch-up cricket" for most of the series but "today we've shown what this team is capable of doing". He also said his performance at the Gabba was ordinary, he bowled without luck in Adelaide but "today I just seemed to find the edge, it was one of those days where things just kind of just rolled for me". "Today this team has blown me away with what it is capable of doing."
9:15pm: Barry Richards is anticipating that South Africa won't give Australia any less than 500 to chase. "There's a few things up in the air from the South Africans' point of view but it's all good, Graeme Smith will be delighted tonight." He says Australia has no chance of winning this Test.
9:13pm: Barry Richards says Michael Clarke really let the game go in the last 90 minutes and the experienced pairing of Smith and Amla cashed in big time. He says South Africa got on a roll from the outset when Dale Steyn took two wickets in his first over.
9:08pm: Grandstand's Corbin Middlemas is speaking with Australia's top scorer Matthew Wade, who admits today was "not the day we were hoping for, but that's cricket". He said it wasn't the ideal start with David Warner going early, and Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke quickly following. "We were hoping that Ricky was going to do well and unfortunately he didn't score any runs but there's another innings left, that's the positive thing for Ricky". Wade says one positive thing for Australia is it doesn't look like they'll be batting into the fifth day, "so the wicket's going to be true when we bat. I think you can chase anything on this wicket."
S Africa leads by 292 runs, 8 wickets in handH. Amla 99*
G. Smith 84
A. Petersen 23
J. Kallis 17*
M. Johnson 1-35 (7 overs)
M. Starc 1-76 (10 overs)
M. Hussey 0-11 (1 over)
S. Watson 0-17 (5 overs)
M. Wade 68*
J. Hastings 32
D. Warner 13
M. Hussey 12
D. Steyn 4-40 (16 overs)
R.Peterson 3-44 (8.1 overs)
V. Philander 2-55 (16 overs)
M. Morkel 1-19 (13 overs)
F. du Plessis 78*
R. Peterson 31
A. Petersen 30
V. Philander 30
N. Lyon 3-41 (12 overs)
M. Johnson 2-54 (17 overs)
M. Starc 2-55 (16 overs)
S. Watson 1-22 (9 overs)
9:00pm: That's stumps and Hashim Amla is stranded on 99! South Africa 2 for 230 at the close and a dominant lead of 292 runs. Jacques Kallis unbeaten on 17.
@RMHogg In 1969 Bill Lawry declared in sydney and set the West Indies 734 to win. I wonder what Graeme Smith is thinking?8:54pm: Jacques Kallis has summed up the wicket very quickly and the pain continues for Australia - he's moved to 16 already with three boundaries off one Starc over. Amla three away from his century now.
8:37pm: That stand between Smith and Amla came from just 150 balls - it's the second-fastest century partnership of all time in terms of run rate (7.08), behind Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya's effort against Bangladesh in Colombo in 2001.
8:33pm: Out! There's the breakthrough and it's taken a fine running catch from Nathan Lyon in the deep. Mitchell Starc strikes and Graeme Smith goes for 84. South Africa 2 for 206.
8:28pm: Amla takes on Lyon and nearly comes unstuck. It goes high in the air between two fielders and runs into the rope for four. He's 90 off 73 and South Africa has brought up the 200.
8:18pm: Australia has finally choked this run rate a bit. "And a credit to Mitchell Johnson for that. He's come round the wicket to Graeme Smith and bowled well. There's a lull in proceedings and Australia had to make it happen," Kerry O'Keeffe says. South Africa 1 for 186, leading by 248.
8:04pm: Graeme Smith survives a run-out at the non striker's end. Ricky Ponting pulls off a direct hit but Smith got back in time. Amla clubs another couple of boundaries off that Nathan Lyon over to move to 75. Neil Manthorp:
I haven't seen South Africa take control of a Test match like this ever. Not even against the minnow teams. It's just bizarre.
8:01pm: Neil Manthorp says this is currently the fastest century partnership in the history of Test cricket. It's now worth 168 at a rate of 7.66.
7:54pm: It's Mike Hussey now with just over an hour to go. Australia absolutely desperate for a breakthrough. The partnership is 128 from 101 balls.
7:50pm: South Africa 1 for 149 at drinks and leading by 211 runs. Smith on 64 and Amla 56 and picking off runs at will. Australia totally clueless at present, somebody's got to produce a moment of inspiration.
@NeilManthorp 4 years ago the WACA pitch got better and better as Test went 5 days and SA chased 414 to win. Aus could need 600 at this rate...7:41pm: 50 for Hashim Amla. 37 balls, five fours in 66 minutes. Impressive.
7:38pm: Not out. The bounce of the WACA pitch saves Graeme Smith on 59. That one hit him on the back leg too but the DRS says the ball was just going over.
7:37pm: Out!? Starc goes up for lbw on Smith and he's given by Asad Rauf. Smith's goes straight upstairs. Surprise, surprise.
7:34pm: 50 for Graeme Smith. Gets it with yet another boundary. South Africa 2 for 127 and leading by 189 runs. "They look down and out the Aussies," Terry Alderman says. The next ball brings another boundary and up comes the century stand.
@Snashy19 rotating 3 quicks has come home to roost. Conditions played a big role yesterday #AUSvSA
@mmilg23 Maybe Smith should declare now and make a game of it
@cowley35 Australia now paying the price for playing number 2 bowling attack
7:26pm: Mitchell Starc is still not getting it right here to Graeme Smith - that one's far too straight and he gets an easy two. "You can't bowl straight to Graeme Smith. He'll just clip you down the legside till the cows come home," Barry Richards says.
7:23pm: South Africa 1 for 108 after 18 overs. Smith 40 off 60 and Amla 39 from 28. After start with a maiden, Nathan Lyon has conceded 13 runs across his last two overs.
7:15pm: South Africa has brought up the 100 inside 16 overs. "The runs are coming in a torrent," says Drew Morphett. "It happens in the blink of an eye and the captain doesn't know what's going on. He hasn't made one fielding change, not one," Barry Richards adds. South Africa leads by 164 already and this game is beginning to get away from Australia now.
7:12pm: Shane Watson replaces Starc but it's more of the same as Amla produces a straight drive for four. Watson goes for 13 off and this pair has already put on 50, from just 36 balls. Smith's on 34 and Amla 30, South Africa 1 for 93.
7:07pm: "End of the 14th over and a maiden there from Nathan Lyon. He's done exactly what Michael Clarke would have wanted him to do and that's stem this flow of runs," Neil Manthorp says.
7:05pm: Mitchell Starc has gone for 29 from four overs. Not good. Nathan Lyon replaces John Hastings now.
6:58pm: Big danger here for Australia - Amla batters that one from Hastings for four and all of a sudden South Africa is 1 for 71 after 12 overs. The runs are coming far too quickly for Michael Clarke's liking.
@Cronk81 @abcgrandstand we will be chasing 600 if this continues #AUSvSA6:49pm: Graeme Smith loves them there. John Hastings strays onto his pads and it's whipped away nonchalantly for four. He did the same thing twice in Hastings's last over.
6:47pm: "If this pair is still there at stumps South Africa is winning this game by a long way," Kerry O'Keeffe says of Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla. South Africa has progressed to 1 for 44 and a lead of 106, with Smith on 12 and Amla 4.
6:34pm: Out! That early wicket - here it is! Brilliant too from Mitchell Johnson - one of the best caught and bowled dismissals you'll see. Alviro Petersen completely miscued that one. Johnson had to run a long way to take it, diving full stretch to grab it just before it hit the ground. Outstanding athleticism. "You would not see that in most other eras, and you've done so here today at the WACA. That was stunning," Kerry O'Keeffe says.
6:30pm: It's Mitchell Johnson to kick us off in this final session. Australia desperately needs an early wicket.
6:25pm: Miss Grandstand's chat with Dennis Lillee earlier? Here it is in full:
M. Starc 0-21 (3 overs)
S. Watson 0-2 (3 overs)
M. Wade 68*
J. Hastings 32
D. Warner 13
M. Hussey 12
D. Steyn 4-40 (16 overs)
R.Peterson 3-44 (8.1 overs)
V. Philander 2-55 (16 overs)
M. Morkel 1-19 (13 overs)
F. du Plessis 78*
R. Peterson 31
A. Petersen 30
V. Philander 30
N. Lyon 3-41 (12 overs)
M. Johnson 2-54 (17 overs)
M. Starc 2-55 (16 overs)
S. Watson 1-22 (9 overs)
6:10pm: That's tea. South Africa is 0 for 24 after six overs, leading by 86 runs.
6:03pm: Another lbw appeal on Graeme Smith, this time from Mitchell Starc. Height again the issue. Ricky Ponting's doing up Matthew Wade's shoelaces. Just thought I'd mention that.
5:58pm: Another appeal there from Watson on Smith, this time for lbw. Richard Kettleborough not interested, and again Clarke refrains from reviewing. That one was going over.
5:49pm: Big appeal first ball! Has Smith tickled one down the leg side? Matt Wade is convinced, but then again he always is. "They're not going up for a referral? With an appeal that big surely you've got to refer," Terry Alderman says. Replays show it struck the thigh pad, so good decision by Michael Clarke not to waste one there.
5:48pm: It's Shane Watson to open the bowling with Starc. Interesting. Watto did get Graeme Smith yesterday though.
5:46pm: Petersen tries to leave one and it gets the inside edge and runs away for four. Fortune in the batsman's favour there. Very similar circumstances to the way Dale Steyn was bowled by Mitchell Johnson yesterday.
5:44pm: "Runs on the board have proven vital," Terry Alderman says of South Africa's 225. They lead by 62 runs as Mitchell Starc begins the second innings, bowling to Mr Cool Alviro Petersen.
M. Wade 68*
J. Hastings 32
D. Warner 13
M. Hussey 12
D. Steyn 4-40 (16 overs)
R.Peterson 3-44 (8.1 overs)
V. Philander 2-55 (16 overs)
M. Morkel 1-19 (13 overs)
F. du Plessis 78*
R. Peterson 31
A. Petersen 30
V. Philander 30
N. Lyon 3-41 (12 overs)
M. Johnson 2-54 (17 overs)
M. Starc 2-55 (16 overs)
S. Watson 1-22 (9 overs)
5:33pm: Out! Australia is all out for 163. Brilliant effort there from Alviro Petersen to dismiss John Hastings, who skied that one a long way up in the air. Petersen takes it in front of the boundary, throws it up before stumbling over the rope and then steps back into the field to regather. Gives the thumbs up to the crowd for good measure.
5:25pm: Out! Shocking shot from Mitchell Johnson - and it was coming. An absolute slog there across the line and he's bowled by Robin Peterson for 7. Mitchell Starc comes to the wicket.
5:17pm: Hastings pastes Peterson for three straight boundaries straight after the interval. He's on 31 now.
5:15pm: Australia 8 for 149 at drinks. John Hastings on 19 and Mitchell Johnson 6.
5:11pm: DK's opinion on the DRS system? "I'm worried that all the umpires are going to be doing is counting the number of balls." He says there's a place for it sometimes - when there's a question mark over a catch or a run-out - but "umpires are picked because they're the best in the world - you should give them the opportunity of making decisions". Tasmania has humbled WA by 85 runs in that one-day clash in Burnie - the Warriors all out for just 107. James Faulkner and Evan Gulbis took four wickets apiece.
5:10pm: Not out. There's no conclusive evidence to the contrary there so Richard Kettleborough's original decision stands.
5:09pm: Referral. South Africa goes up for caught behind on Mitchell Johnson. The umpire says no but the Proteas want a look.
5:07pm: DK on the wicket:
This is shaping up to be a real old fashioned WACA wicket. There's pace, there's bounce, the ball swings around. I think it's been terrific - you've not seen a lot of sideways movement, there's certainly been swing.
4:59pm: Kerry and DK are still at it in the box - now talking about "DK's love of endorsements". DK: "Has anyone ever told you you're full of **** Kerry?" Gold. DK also spoke about Mitch Johnson's chances of going to England - he reckons MJ has accepted that he's in the second phase of his career and they've been working on a few things which should keep him in the Australian fold. Listen here.
4:54pm: Out! Matthew Wade's vigil comes to an end on 68. He goes the sweep, misses and is bowled by Robin Peterson. Peterson's a touch happy with that too. Wade throws his head back in despair. Australia 8 for 140 and the tail is now exposed.
4:51pm: Robin Peterson replaces Philander now. DK still in the box, speaking about the woes of Western Australian cricket from his perspective as president. The Warriors are currently struggling in their one-day cup clash against Tasmania in Burnie.
4:44pm: Kerry O'Keeffe joins DK in the box now. "Slow at one end and pace at the other." Hastings cuts Philander through the gully to move to 15, Australia 7 for 139. Kerry and DK are talking about how DK was portrayed in the Channel 9 production Howzat! Kerry Packer's War. Listen here.
4:39pm: DK also says a lack of basic fitness is what may be bringing some of Australia's pacemen undone. "You don't stop running. You've got to keep that motor going, you've got to keep that fitness going." And he's not a fan of Peter Siddle going vegetarian. "I haven't seen too many outright bowlers who've survived on vegetarian. I see Sids is trying it now - good luck to him".
@NeilManthorp Dennis Lillee rubishes Siddle's veggie diet on ABC: "Must eat fish or chicken. Million vegetarians will write & complain, but I don't care."4:36pm: The lads are currently speaking with the great Dennis Lillee, who's not exactly a fan of Australia's bowler rotation policy. "It makes me laugh a bit - I'd have thought as a professional sportsman, knowing what's coming up, that you'd prepare yourself accordingly."
4:29pm: "At times here now, batting is looking a lot easier than it did at 10:30 this morning," Terry Alderman says. Wade is on 64 and Hastings 6 at the end of that over from Vernon Philander.
4:23pm: Another very close call there for Hastings. He goes for the quick single and it's Dean Elgar this time missing with his throw at the stumps at the non striker's end. The big fella was at least a metre short then. Australia 7 for 123.
4:10pm: It's Dale Steyn bowling to John Hastings the first over after lunch. Graeme Smith's got three slips and two gullys in place.
M. Wade 60*
D. Warner 13
M. Hussey 12
S. Watson 10
D. Steyn 4-33 (12 overs)
V. Philander 2-41 (12 overs)
M. Morkel 1-13 (8 overs)
R. Peterson 0-26 (4 overs)
F. du Plessis 78*
R. Peterson 31
A. Petersen 30
V. Philander 30
N. Lyon 3-41 (12 overs)
M. Johnson 2-54 (17 overs)
M. Starc 2-55 (16 overs)
S. Watson 1-22 (9 overs)
3:32pm: That's lunch, with Australia reaching 7 for 118. Wade on 60 and Hastings 2.
3:21pm: The Duke gets his first run in Test cricket - a hairy one too as he scurries to the non striker's end and launches himself at the crease with the throw coming in. Safe.
3:17pm: Wade takes four more, this time from Morkel. John Hastings yet to score on debut, Australia 7 for 111.
@willsie87 Fighting innings from Wade when Australia needed it most. Good to see him contribute with the willow #AUSvSA #abccricket @abcgrandstand3:12pm: Six! And that's 50 for Matthew Wade, off 51 balls. Superb innings in the circumstances. He's taken 29 from the seamers, the rest from Peterson.
3:07pm: Out! Morne Morkel finally gets the reward for working over Mike Hussey, who has to play at this one and edges behind for 12. Australia 7 for 100. 55-run partnership there between Hussey and Wade.
3:05pm: The 100 comes up for Australia for the loss of six wickets. 55-run stand now between Wade and Hussey.
2:57pm: Six! Matt Wade goes after Robin Peterson, hammering him over long on. He moves to 40 and Australia to 6 for 94.
2:54pm:
Mike Hussey's copped one in a sensitive region. "Why are we pussy-footing around here? It's hit him in the box. It would have hurt," Neil Manthorp says. No doubt.2:52pm: Manthorp also says he still thinks South Africa's decision to play only three seamers is a "big mistake" and that Ryan McLaren should have played. Time will tell.
2:50pm: Neil Manthorp re-enters the commentary box:
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that South Africa's 225 will remain inadequate. We all know that the bowlers can bat. If South Africa can get 225, there's no reason Australia can't do the same. And South Africa have been outplayed - that's what they have been for most of the series. South Africa are lucky to be here at nil-nil.
2:49pm: Jim Maxwell thanks the WACA for organising a massive birthday cake to commemorate 80 years of Test cricket on ABC Radio - the milestone will be celebrated tomorrow.
2:47pm: Robin Peterson's coming into the attack now to bowl some finger spin. One slip and a short leg in place. Will be interesting to see how Wade and Hussey react.
2:40pm: Australia has gone past that WACA low of 76 we mentioned earlier - and Wade is showing the rest of them how it's done here. He's moved to 26 off only 31 balls. A hundred more please Matthew.
2:36pm:
Kerry O'Keeffe thinks Australia hasn't done a lot wrong today - "not with the peaches bowled by Dale Steyn. They could have missed the ball I guess". Kerry also says it's sad to see the demise of Ricky Ponting, given so many punters (excuse the pun) turned up today with the hope of seeing one last fighting innings . "It didn't materialise this morning and it's unlikely to in the second dig either."2:32pm: Australia 6 for 73 at drinks. They lost a disastrous 4 for 40 in the first hour of play today.
2:30pm: Australia still looking really shaky at 6 for 67. Century stand minimum needed here between Hussey and Wade. Says Jim Maxwell:
We've seen this morning why South Africa is number one. And their number one fast bowler has bowled an extraordinary spell which has scattered the Australian batting.
2:27pm: Matthew Wade is Australia's top-scorer now on 15 - he flays a couple of boundaries, the first of which goes for six over square leg. Limited overs shot there. The second flew through the vacant second slip region for four. "For me, that's bad captaincy. At 6 for 60, if I was Philander, you'd want that second slip in there," Terry Alderman says.
@patforme23 You know your struggling when at 6 fa, it takes a whole over for a bloke to become top scorer #AUSvSA @abcgrandstand2:20pm: Australia still has some way to go to avoid its worst Test score at the WACA - 76 against the West Indies in 1984/85. The home side is currently an alarming 6 for 52. But Grandstand's main man in Tasmania thinks there's still hope:
@PeterNewlinds Australia in strife 6-51? Take heart from Tasmania's fightback in Burnie today (from that score to 192). This game offers hope. #Cricket2:16pm: Graeme Smith going in for the quick kill now - he brings on Morne Morkel into the wind, replacing Philander.
2:11pm: "You look back to yesterday and Faf du Plessis' innings of 78 is standing out like a beacon," Terry Alderman says. "Actually better conditions to bowl today I feel. Better conditions for batting too."
2:08pm: Ridiculous single there from Mike Hussey and Matthew Wade is lucky to still be out there - Hashim Amla's throw missed by a whisker. Wade was barely in the frame.
2:02pm: Out! Michael Clarke is gone! Dale Steyn strikes as Clarke gets an edge to a pearler and it flies straight to AB de Villiers. "You've got to be in the form of your life to get an edge to that," Neil Manthorp says. Australia in disarray at 6 for 45 and the Proteas have got the man who's caused them so much grieft this summer. Steyn searching for a five-wicket haul now. He's taken 3 for 4 in four extraordinary overs this morning.
1:57pm: Out! Ricky Ponting is gone for 4! "It's almost a surreal moment isn't it," Barry Richards says. Indeed, the applause is mooted. He'll get another chance though the way Australia is going here - they're in all sorts of strife at 5 for 43. Steyn and Philander are all over the home side. Australia's referrals are gone, too.
1:55pm: Referral. And it's on Ponting! Vernon Philander goes up for lbw and Asad Rauf gives him. Ponting and Clarke are praying it's pitched outside the line.
1:54pm: "Dale Steyn's getting it to swing here for the first time this summer really," Neil Manthorp says. "His inswinger is so elusive - he just loses it for months and doesn't know why." That one nipped back in on Ponting but it was a good leave.
1:47pm: And there's the infamous pull shot! Philander drops one short and Ponting shows his intent straight away. He got a bit high on it but no matter because he hit it too a vacant region of the field. He gets three.
1:42pm: Out. Nathan Lyon goes next ball and Steyn has two wickets in an over. Easy catch in the gully for Faf du Plessis. Australia in deep trouble at 4 for 35.
1:41pm: Ponting's first shot is less than convincing as it lobs up just wide of mid wicket, but he gets off the mark from the second delivery.
1:39pm:
Here he comes. Ricky Ponting walks out to a standing ovation. "Sustained applause for a champion," Jim Maxwell says. Australia needs a big innings from him here too - they're in a spot of bother now at 3 for 34.Meanwhile, there's at least one not happy with how long that Warner decision took:
@jpattinson19 This is ridiculous #drs1:38pm: Out. Billy Bowden had a long, long look at that one. The side-on view seemed to show a huge HotSpot, perhaps even bigger than what you'd normally see. In any case, Warner's gone for 13 and Steyn strikes from his first ball of the day.
1:35pm: Referral. Warner flashes at one from Steyn, the South Africans are convinced he's nicked it and so is Richard Kettleborough as the finger goes up. Warner stands his ground and wants it looked at. "You know as a batsman when you've nicked it," Barry Richards says.
1:30pm: It's Vernon Philander to deliver the first ball of the day from the Northern End. David Warner facing. He takes a single from the third ball and then Lyon sees out the rest of the over.
1:27pm: The lads are discussing how important Nathan Lyon's role is here - Barry Richards says if he can soak up an hour against the quicks, the pitch will dry out and make it so much easier for Mr Ponting.
1:15pm: Grandstand's Corbin Middlemas has caught up with Mitchell Johnson, who took two wickets yesterday in his first Test in more than a year. "I'm very happy for the opportunity again to play in my hometown here, Perth," he said. He also reserved some special praise for Ricky Ponting: "Ricky is one of the best team men I've ever played cricket with. It's just been an honour and a privilege to play with him." Mitch expects the pitch to do something different today - he says it's already warmer and there's a "different breeze".
1:10pm: In case you missed it, our old Ashes nemesis Freddie Flintoff became the latest high-profile athlete sportsman to jump onto the boxing bandwagon last night. He didn't disappoint, coming back from a knock-down to beat American heavyweight Richard Dawson.
Read the story: Flintoff marks boxing debut with heavyweight win
1:00pm: Good afternoon and welcome to Grandstand's live coverage of day two of the final Test between Australia and South Africa in Perth. Joel Zander here to take you through a fascinatingly poised day of cricket.
After bowlers dominated the first day of proceedings, many of the WACA faithful will be hoping for the runs to flow, especially with the small matter of Ricky Ponting comin in next to take guard against the Proteas pacemen.
It could possibly be Ponting's last Test innings for his country after announcing his retirement on Thursday.
@jimmaxcricket Fine cool day at waca. first two hours might twist fate of absorbing contest RP expectations running high entreed by Lyon's impersonationsTo warm you up for an intriguing day two, here's Jim Maxwell's preview.
And here's how we covered day one:
Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia, south-africa First posted December 01, 2012 13:20:35
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