South Africa kept Australia in check before lunch on the fourth morning of the third Castle Lager Test at the Wanderers on Monday, and the visitors went to lunch on 54 for two. They still need 238 to win.
Australia needed just 13 minutes and 15 balls to wrap up the South African innings. Mark Boucher and Andre Nel resumed on 250 for eight, but Boucher got a top-edge to a Brett Lee delivery and was caught behind by Adam Gilchrist for 63.
He and Nel had put on 66 runs in 67 minutes for the ninth wicket. Makhaya Ntini was out two balls later, bowled by Lee without scoring. Nel ended unbeaten on 18 — equalling his highest Test score.
Ntini — who took six wickets in the first innings — made an early breakthrough with the first ball of his second over, when Matthew Hayden was brilliantly caught by AB de Villiers, and Australia were nought for one.
Andre Nel was able to bowl only two overs before he left the field. He is suffering from gastric flu, and was put on a drip. It is not known whether he will be able to bowl again.
Captain Jacques Kallis made the next breakthrough when Ricky Ponting got an edge and was caught by Mark Boucher for 20.
Once again, there was a controversial umpiring decision when Michael Hussey was apparently caught behind by Boucher off Ntini. The entire slip cordon went up to appeal for the catch, but Hussey stood his ground, and umpire Tony Hill gave him not out. It was the third controversial catching decision of the match.
At lunch, Hussey, who opened the batting because the regular opener, Justin Langer, is still suffering from concussion after being hit on the head by Ntini in the first innings, was not out on 19 and Damien Martyn had 13. – Sapa