Ricky Ponting became the second-highest Australian run-scorer in Tests as Australia continued to build a huge lead over South Africa on the third day of the second Test at Kingsmead on Sunday.
Australia were 203 for one in their second innings at tea, a lead of 417 with two days and a session remaining.
Ponting was on 78 not out and on 61 he reached 10 928 career Test runs to overtake his predecessor as captain, Steve Waugh. Alan Border is Australia’s top run-scorer with 11,174.
Opener Phillip Hughes, who made his first test century in the first innings, had scored an aggressive 86 not out.
The visitors needed just three balls to wrap up South Africa’s first innings for 138 and gain a first-innings lead of 214, but captain Ponting chose not to enforce the follow on.
Jacques Kallis claimed the one Australian wicket to fall before lunch as he made a delivery jag away from Simon Katich, who offered a sharp catch, well taken low in the gully by Paul Harris. Katich had stroked three fours and a six as he breezed to 30.
South Africa failed to add a run to their paltry overnight score of 138 for seven, with captain Graeme Smith unable to bat, as Dale Steyn chased a wide delivery from Peter Siddle and was caught behind for eight off the second ball of the day.
Makhaya Ntini was then trapped leg before by the first ball he faced.
Australia, who won the first Test by 162 runs, scored 352 in the first innings and will win the three-match series if they triumph in the second Test. – Reuters