Australia have failed to make the inroads they desperately needed on day three of the third Test, as Hashim Amla continues to bat South Africa towards a series victory in Perth.
Australia fought hard and at least slowed the run-rate down from the final session madness on day two, but the Proteas lost just one wicket to be 3-320 at lunch, giving them a daunting lead of 382.
Michael Clarke’s side will need to produce something extraordinary if they’re to overtake the Proteas’ as the best team in Test cricket.
Amla, who was 99 overnight with South Africa 2-230, brought up his second century of the series in the first over of the day and has powered on to 149 not out from 160 balls.
It’s the 29-year-old run-machine’s 18th Test century, and comfortably his quickest.
Amla has dictated the bowling from the outset, finding gaps and walking across the crease before the ball is bowled.
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc (2-103) finally got rid of fellow star Jacques Kallis (37), when he top-edged a hook shot to Mitchell Johnson in the deep.
But AB de Villiers is 18 not out and the in-form Faf du Plessis, averaging a remarkable 266 just two matches into his Test career, is still to come.
South Africa scored a WACA record 4-414 in the fourth innings to beat Australia back in 2008, but Clarke’s humiliated troops are staring down the barrel of having to chase far more than that if they’re to send retiring former captain Ricky Ponting out a winner.
Australia made just 163 in reply to South Africa’s 225, giving up a first innings lead of 62.
The rapid scoring from Amla and Graeme Smith (84) on day two saw South Africa post a rare 206 runs in a session.
Amla came within a whisker of joining the likes of David Warner, Adam Gilchrist and Doug Walters as players to bring up a century in a single session in Perth.
But most importantly, South Africa’s aggressive batting took the game away from Australia and almost certainly secured their No.1 Test ranking.
Starc has two wickets but has been very expensive from his 20 overs, going at nearly a run-a-ball.
Johnson (1-59) had Alviro Petersen (23) caught and bowled on day two, but struggled to penetrate when needed the next morning.
Shane Watson (0-24) has kept things tight, but the vice-captain, along with John Hastings (0-67) and Nathan Lyon (0-49) have failed to trouble the batsmen.
