The third Castle Lager Test between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers was on a knife-edge when bad light stopped play about twenty minutes early on Monday.
When the players left the field Australia were 248-6 and needed another 44 runs for victory.
Australia took just 13 minutes and 15 balls to wrap up South Africa’s second innings. The home side were all out for 258, setting Australia a target of 292 for victory.
Makhaya Ntini once again struck early for South Africa when he had Matthew Hayden caught by AB de Villiers before a run had been scored. Captain Ricky Ponting went out in the 14th over, when he top-edged a delivery from Jacques Kallis to Mark Boucher for 20.
South African hopes were raised, but Michael Hussey — opening in the place of Justin Langer, who is recovering from concussion sustained when he ducked into Ntini’s first ball in Australia’s first innings — and Damien Martyn batted with patience and determination.
South Africa were also hamstrung by the absence of pace bowler Andre Nel, who had a stomach ailment, and had to leave the field after bowling two overs. Nel also nearly achieved a breakthrough with a confident leg before wicket appeal against Hussey.
However, Steve Bucknor ruled him not out, and Hussey went on to make 89 runs.
Hussey had another life when he was caught behind by Mark Boucher off Ntini with his score on 19. He stood his ground and Bucknor gave him not out.
Martyn and Hussey batted throughout the afternoon session, putting on 109 runs between lunch and tea, and South African heads drooped. But about 37 minutes after tea, Hussey was given out lbw to Nicky Boje for 89. He and Martyn had put on 165 runs for the third wicket, off 318 balls.
Andrew Symonds came in and appeared determined to finish things off quickly before he was caught by Boucher off Kallis for 29 off 26 balls, including four fours and a six. Adam Gilchrist faced just one ball before he was caught by Boucher off Ntini.
The South Africans then bowled and fielded with renewed vigour, and the crowd were ecstatic when Shane Warne went out in Ntini’s next over, also caught by Boucher, for three.
When the umpires offered the batsmen the light, Martyn was not out on 93 and Brett Lee, who was one of the top scorers in Australia’s first innings, had nine.
With just an over and three balls to go before the second new ball can be taken, South Africa will be reasonably optimistic that they can take the match and prevent the first series whitewash at home since England beat them three-nil in 1895/96.
With Langer still suffering the effects of concussion, and Michael Kasprowicz struggling with lower back pain, the South Africans will be hopeful. However, Australia are the best team in the world, and will also be confident that they can knock off the required runs on Tuesday morning, before leaving for Bangladesh on Wednesday. — Sapa