Graeme Smith became the leading run-scorer of the year in Test cricket as his superb century gave South Africa hope on the fourth day of the first Test against Australia in Perth on Saturday.
The South Africans, set an unlikely 414 for victory ended the penultimate day on 227-3.
The key wicket of the captain fell in the final hour, but his 108 off 147 balls had taken the fight to the Aussies in their own lair and ensured opposite number Ricky Ponting endured a nervous, rain-interrupted afternoon and will still have his worries on Sunday’s final day.
Smith and Neil McKenzie had crawled painfully to 18 without loss after 14 overs, but it was a phoney impression of the left-hander’s attitude.
McKenzie was caught behind for 10 off Mitchell Johnson as the left-arm paceman moved the ball away from the right-hander, but Smith and Hashim Amla (53) then shared a thrilling partnership of 153 in 36 overs.
But as has been the case so often in this Test, both set batsmen fell in quick succession.
Johnson picked up his 10th wicket of the match as he trapped Smith leg-before, the batsman being caught in front of middle and leg as he failed to spot a slower ball.
Brett Lee then followed a fast bouncer with an excellent delivery that seamed away off a good length, finding the edge of Amla’s bat as he was stuck in the crease.
Australia were once again threatening to burst through late in the day, but Jacques Kallis motored to 33 not out by stumps. AB de Villiers was with him at the death on 11 not out.
Earlier, the South African bowlers had once again struggled to kill off the Australian tail as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin scored a defiant 94, with fine support from Jason Krejza (32), Johnson (21) and Peter Siddle (4*).
Paul Harris and Kallis each ended with three dismissals.