Published: Nov 26, 2012, 05:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 26, 2012, 05:00 AM (IST)
AB de Villiers was at the crease, unbeaten on 12, along with Faf du Plessis at the end of Day Four on Sunday © Getty Images
Adelaide: Nov 26, 2012
Australia are within sniffing distance of a victory against South Africa in the second Test at Adelaide as the visitors, having to chase in excess of 400, were reduced to 77 for four at close of play on Day Four.
South Africa will look to push for a win on the fourth day after Australia were left struggling at 111 for five at the end of third day’s play at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Rory Kleinveldt led yet another fight back by South Africa on the third day of the second Test againstAustralia at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday as the hosts closed on 111-5 in their second innings, leading by 273.
The Proteas endured a torrid morning session with the bat after resuming on 217-2 with high hopes of challenging Australia’s formidable first innings score of 550, AFP reported.
But five wickets tumbled for the addition of just 17 runs as the tourists collapsed to 250-7, still 300 in arrears.
An eighth wicket stand of 93, featuring an injured Jacques Kallis batting at number nine, restored some respectability to the innings with Faf du Plessis looking as assured and confident as any Proteas debutant in recent years during a stylish, yet resilient, innings of 78 from 159 balls with 13 fours and a six.
Brief Scores: Australia 550 and 269 for 8 dec. (Michael Hussey 54, David Warner 41; Rory Klienveldt 3 for 65) lead South Africa 338 and 77 for 4 (Faf du Plessis 19*, AB de Villiers 12*; Nathan Lyon 2 for 15 ) by 353 runs.
Catch live scores and ball-by-ball commentary of the fifth day’s play here
