Australia have a massive mountain to climb if they’re to steal the No.1 ranking from South Africa and send Ricky Ponting out a winner after suffering a devastating batting collapse on day two of the third Test.
Ponting lasted just 17 minutes and seven balls as Australia struggled to 163 all out, giving South Africa a 62-run first-innings lead.
South Africa then came out and survived six overs to be 0-24 at tea in their second innings, extending their advantage to 86 after making 225 in their first dig.
Alviro Petersen is unbeaten on 21 and Graeme Smith not out 2, with Mitchell Starc (0-21) and Shane Watson (0-2) unable to penetrate.
Matt Wade (68 from 102) provided the only rearguard action for Australia on day two by scoring his half-century at a run-a-ball before eventually getting bowled attempting a sweep off spinner Robin Petersen (3-44).
Petersen also bowled Mitchell Johnson (7) and had John Hastings (32) spectacularly caught on the rope by namesake Alviro Petersen to justify his selection.
Australia lost four wickets in no time at all on Saturday after resuming at 2-33, with Proteas spearhead Dale Steyn the chief destroyer.
South Africa thought they were in trouble at 6-75 on day one, but Australia found themselves 6-45 just six overs into day two.
Faf du Plessis (78no) saved the Proteas innings and Wade attempted similar heroics for Australia, combining with Mike Hussey (12) for a 55-run stand – before Morne Morkel (1-19) had the vital wicket of Mr Cricket not long before lunch.
Keeper Wade blasted three sixes and seven boundaries in a fearless knock from a player under pressure.
But Australia needed more from the top and must fight back hard if they want to put themselves in a position to win the series.
Steyn (4-40) turned around a poor series so far by exploding out of the blocks and taking the first of his three day-two wickets in the second over of play.
That brought retiring champion Ponting to the middle and a sold-out WACA crowd to their feet.
But the fairytale was extinguished by Steyn’s partner in crime Vernon Philander (2-55), who trapped him lbw for 4.
Ponting will get just one more chance at signing off from Test cricket with a century in the second innings – but averaging six for the series, all evidence suggests he’s not comfortable facing South Africa’s red-hot attack.
David Warner (13) went for a wild slash through the off-side but nicked Steyn’s first delivery of the day to keeper AB de Villiers.
Michael Clarke (5) copped the ball of the series from Steyn, to be part of the collapse.