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South Africa 7 for 198 (Smith 62, Siddle 3-24) trail Australia 394 (Ponting 101, Clarke 88*, Katich 54, Steyn 5-87) by 198 runs
Peter English writes for Cricinfo that Australia were winning the battle of the fast men but it wasn’t Brett Lee who surged the home team back into the series. After Dale Steyn, the form bowler of 2008, stormed to five wickets in the opening session, South Africa’s top order was knocked over by Peter Siddle, a 24-year-old Victorian who is growing as a Test quick in front of his home crowd.
Siddle’s knowledge of the surface helped gain him a start after the disappointing defeat in Perth, and he was responsible for driving Australia to a position of strength with 3 for 24 from 13 overs as they attempt to level the three-match contest. At stumps South Africa were in severe trouble at 7 for 198, still 196 behind Australia’s first-innings 394, which grew in value with each wicket.
Steyn collected three breakthroughs before lunch to capture 5 for 87, but by the end of the day the 114 runs Michael Clarke marshalled from Australia’s lower order in that session was the most important early development. From there they controlled the South Africans in a style that was familiar to the country’s previous outfits. Once again it looks as if Graeme Smith’s side is better as a chaser instead of a leader.
Smith followed his 108 in Perth with a committed 62 that held the top order together until he departed to a clever plan from Siddle. The dismissal switched South Africa to survival mode and JP Duminy was the only specialist left to deal with the problems. He reached a calm 34 at the close and should not expect much help from the remaining batsmen.
In his second spell Siddle was trying to force Smith, who was starting to appear affected by his nagging elbow injury, to hit down the ground instead of square on the offside and between midwicket and square-leg. When Smith had grown comfortable with the straighter line Siddle delivered a wider ball and the captain reached for it, but could only edge it to Brad Haddin. It may be the most important dismissal of the game as Smith was the best of the visiting batsmen.
AB de Villiers, who spent 24 balls on zero, was a different man from the hero of Perth and followed Smith on 7 when beaten for pace by Siddle. Siddle appealed loudly for an lbw until his team-mates pointed to the broken stumps and he smiled like it was a surprise birthday party. South Africa were 5 for 132 and Siddle had his third wicket, which came in a six-over spell of 2 for 12.
He had taken the new ball in his third Test and began by bowling a confused Neil McKenzie, who probably still doesn’t know whether he was trying to leave or defend. McKenzie departed to his fifth delivery as Siddle out-performed Lee, who was expensive, giving up 68 runs in 13 overs, and usually slower than his new team-mate.
In between Siddle’s first and second wickets the offspinner Nathan Hauritz benefitted from a poor mistake by Jacques Kallis, who was so comfortable until trying to dab a sweep in the over before lunch. The ball bounced off Kallis’ glove, Haddin had an easy take, and the Australians were buzzing at the end of a 63-run stand between the tourists’ most experienced pair.
Hauritz’s second wicket also arrived from a poor sweep when Mark Boucher (3) found Michael Hussey at square-leg. At 6 for 141 only Duminy remained a threat and he put on 43 with Morne Morkel before he was bowled for 21 by Mitchell Johnson. Johnson had struck early, with Hashim Amla cutting hard to Andrew Symonds at gully, and he backed up Siddle with 2 for 53.
South Africa had let Australia off in the morning when Clarke’s 88 boosted the Australian total significantly. While Steyn was hurting the bowlers, Clarke was providing discomfort for the visitors, who will look back at his innings as the first major turning point.
Clarke and Lee resumed at a delicate 6 for 280 but spread 45 at more than a run a ball, with the two senior men showing Australia would not be backing down. After crawling throughout the latter stages of Boxing Day, Clarke almost turned his overnight 36 into a century, swinging his bat powerfully and effectively. He stayed for 208 balls and collected only four fours and a top-edged six from Makhaya Ntini, preferring to find the gaps and run hard.
A partnership of 42 with Siddle, a composed No. 11, added to the South African problems that grew when they batted. Australia’s position was annoying for Steyn, who had showed his emerging class. He arrived in the country with a reputation for high-quality speed and after a quiet game in Perth – by his 2008 standards – he clicked over the first two days of the crucial contest. The haul took his tally for the year to 69 victims at 20.49.
Having dismissed Simon Katich and Michael Hussey on Friday, he followed up by removing Lee (21) to an edge and Johnson, who played-on, in the same over. He finished with Hauritz’s nick to Smith and the South Africans were buoyant until Clarke and Siddle swiftly swung the game Australia’s way.
251/7
Harris gone.
251/8
Drinks
South Africa 260/8 (80.0 ov)
South Africa trail by 134 runs with 2 wickets remaining in the 1st innings
New ball.
I need my beauty sleep.
Aussie commentators starting to get on my tits.
@McLovin (Comment 8) :
Seems you went to bed at the wrong time.
SA 399/8 Lead by 5 runs.
Duminy 120 Not out
Steyn 70 Not out
Excellent for Duminy to get a century in only his 2nd test and to do it when it is so needed.
As for Dale Steyn!?!?!?!?!!
That must be his highest score.
From what I gather it seems Brett Lee is out of the test match. Injured?
cricinfo
3.11 pm: Another stunning session for South Africa. They’ve scored 95 runs without losing a wicket. They now lead by five. Duminy’s got his maiden Test hundred, and Steyn is 30 short of his!
“I’m going to renounce my Australian citizenship if Dale Steyn gets a hundred…” says Alex. I’ll be back in 20 minutes for the final session.
They take a few runs in the first over after tea and SA bring up their 400.
401/8
Who woulda thought we would wake up to this??????????
9th wicket partnership is now 151.
Pummy Mbangwa after Duminy hits a four. “Oh Lovely stroke, Like soft daggers into the hearts of the Aussies……… If there is such a thing as a soft dagger.”
Dale Steyn reaches 200 minutes at the crease.
When the lady is on your side she is on your side.
390 minutes at the crease for Duminy. That is 6 and a 1/2 hours.
im so damned proud and impressed with JP but hows about some love for mr steyn
Steyn out.well played boykie,well played
Steyn Bowled by Siddle for 76.
Awesome innings by Steyn.
431/9
Ntini comes out
I just woke up! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Well done okes! RD has not been around has he? LMAO
Steyntjie just got out
. Nevermind. Fantastic job boetie!
@PJLD (Comment 20) :
From the way his Girlfriend was smiling I think he may just get some.
PJ. I am so damn proud of BOTH of them!
HAHAHAHA. Look at the faces on the Aussies! Effing fantastic!
Hey guys…just woke up and i thought my eyes were deceiving me…well done boys!!!
JP Duminy goes to 150 with a FOUR!!!!!!!!!!
@klempie (Comment 26) :
You shoulda seen the way Ponting got them in a little circle and gave them a good going over before the start of the 3rd session.
150 for Japes. I can’t believe I turned my alarm clock off at 1.30 this morning….
i can almost not believe this lol gud work guyz
I need to get to the office they are probably wondering where I am.
See you guys in a bit.
And once again wpw was right. Last week i told klempie that JP was born to play test cricket. Was i right or was i right?
i just hope, this game doesnt turn out to be a no result
@ KSA. Sorry I missed that!
@ BS. Boet when my alarm went off this morning, after yesterday’s play, I thought “Do I really want to get up for this?” I think I’d better not watch the next two days as well!
i cant watch, so wots happening
@ wpw You were right boetie. But so was Steyntjie.
LOL @ ashwell trying to get his place back from JP! My bet is Ash will replace Mac at the top.
446/9 jarsonx. I’m on my phone so no detailed comms from me.
LOL. Slater calls it “an horrendous day for the Australians”
it seems SA really wants to make history down there lol
@jarsonx (Comment 36) :
Now That I am at the office I know EXACTLY how you feel.
I have to follow on Cricinfo. 
Although a win for us would be ideal, a draw still favours us because Aus will have to play a high risk game at Sydney. That’s exactly the position we were put in last time!
Seems Ntini is also doing exactly what is required of him.
M Ntini 2 run off 23 balls.
I’m watching but I still can’t believe what I’m seeing! 455/9! HAHAHAHAHAHA
The Aussies have certainly not been bowling slowly today. There is only one over of the required 90 left to be bowled and there is still 20min of play left.
Could get about 96 overs in today.
@klempie (Comment 41) :
A win for us wins the series, doesn’t it?
Only a three match series I think.
That’s it. JP gone. 166. Well played mate.
152.6 Hauritz to Duminy, OUT
JP Duminy c Siddle b Hauritz 166 (340b 18×4 0×6) SR: 48.82
SA 459 All out.
SA have a 65 run lead.
KSA boet. Read the post. I’m saying that even if we go into the last test 1-0 up, we will still have the advantage as they will HAVE to win.
STEYN to get at least 5 wickets to win us the game and win himself the MOM… Come on PROTEAS!!!
From Cricinfo.
The Australians go up to congratulate Duminy and as he walks towards the boundary, the MCG rises to cheer him. The applause is stirring. It’s been a stellar effort that has rescued South Africa from the depths of trailing by 196 with three wickets in hand. They now lead by 65 runs. Australia will have a few tricky overs to see off before stumps.
Probably be two or three overs before close of play
@klempie (Comment 48) :
yeah I know what you said.
I was just reiterating the win would wrap the series.
Would love to actually see these three overs, The guys must be fired up.
Ntini has dismissed Hayden nine times in 11 Tests.
So that’s it for day 3.
Aus trail by 61 runs with all 10 wickets intact.
Excellent day by SA.
HAHA! I just saw the Hussey “catch”. PMSL. Right I’m outta here. See you tomorrow.
Well done Duminy, Harris & Steyn!
Managed to kind of stay awake to hear Steyn get fifty. Unfortunately missed JP’s hundred. Would have loved to hear the Aus commentators at the end. The were all windgat & grootbek yesterday, yapping on about a follow on and goodness knows what else. I hope we roll them again & again & again…
Steyn already took 5 in the first innings. Another 5 in the 2nd innings and he might take man of the match from Duminy.
Before this series everybody was wondering if we can bowl Aus out twice in 5 days, but now everybody seems sure Aus cannot bowl us out twice in 5 days.
Theres an excellent article on cricinfo dot com about JP. He has been dubbed South Africa’s ‘Mr Cricket’
Will somebody please post it on this thread? Ek kannie copy en paste van my sel af nie.
@wpw (Comment 60) : ek ook nie. What phone you got?
LG KS360
Who’s with me?
Hayden gone for 23 and possibly the end of a career. 37/1.
No wait! Katich tickles one! 40/2!
I am. Switched the TV on as the 1st wicket fell and now the second is down.
New thread for today is up.
Where are you muppets?
Finally!