Smith hundred allows South Africa to dream of victory

Graeme Smith knew there would be pain in his elbow throughout his 108, but he will have to wait to learn whether the courageous display was enough to avoid the hurt of another defeat to Australia. Smith's hundred gave South Africa, who started their innings with the target of 414 as close as their country is to Perth, a chance to dream of the second-biggest successful chase in history.

Mitchell Johnson's tenth wicket of the match and a quick follow-up by Brett Lee, who removed the impressive Hashim Amla for 53, eased the growing stress of the Australians late in the day as the visitors finished at 3 for 227. With at least 91 overs remaining, the number on the horizon is a significantly more manageable 187 for South Africa, but the main problem is key wickets have already fallen.

The day had not gone well for South Africa before they batted, with it taking them a session to prise the three remaining Australian wickets.

Haddin orchestrated a fine lower-order performance and narrowly missed a century with a clever and brutal 94.

Australia started the day on top but by lunch they were in a commanding position, adding 91 before being dismissed for 319. (Cricinfo)

AUSTRALIA - 1ST INNINGS 375
SOUTH AFRICA - 1ST INNINGS 281
AUSTRALIA - 2ND INNINGS
M.L. Hayden c & b Steyn	   	   4
S.M. Katich c Boucher b Kallis	  37
R.T. Ponting c Boucher b Harris	  32
M.E.K. Hussey b Ntini	   	   8
M.J. Clarke c Kallis b Steyn	  25
A. Symonds c Smith b Harris	  37
B.J. Haddin st Boucher b Harris	  94
B. Lee c de Villiers b Kallis	   5
J.J. Krejza c de Villiers b Kallis32
M.G. Johnson c Kallis b Morkel	  21
P.M. Siddle not out	   	   4
Extras (b4, lb7, w2, nb7)	  20
TOTAL (all out in 97 overs)	 319 

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-25, 2-59, 3-88, 4-88, 5-148, 6-157, 7-162, 8-241, 9-278, 10-319.
BOWLING: D.W. Steyn 19-3-81-2, M. Ntini 21-2-76-1, P.L. Harris 27-3-85-3, 
J.H. Kallis 14-4-24-3, M. Morkel 16-4-42-1. 

SOUTH AFRICA - 2ND INNINGS
GC Smith lbw b Johnson	 	 108
N. McKenzie c Haddin b Johnson	  10
HM Amla c Haddin b Lee	  	  53
JH Kallis not out	  	  33
AB de Villiers not out	   	  11
Extras (b4, lb5, w1, nb2)	  12
TOTAL (3 wickets in 64 overs)	 227
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-19, 2-172, 3-179.
BOWLING: B. Lee 16-3-40-1, M.G. Johnson 19-3-56-2, P.M. Siddle 14-0-56-0, 
J.J. Krejza 15-1-66-0.