South Africa v Australia - Days 3 & 4

A tempestuous third day's play ended with the outcome of the match hanging in the balance, as both teams slugged it out like the heavyweights of world cricket that they are.

South Africa's tail managed to take the total to 277 and a lead of 45, the admirable Johnston finishing with figures of 4-51, and Australia were two down before they had wiped away the deficit as the Springboks again unleashed a hostile assault on the tourists' batsmen. Things came to a head when Donald sent down a beamer to Taylor, and it took the intervention of both captains - Bradman was the non-striker at the time - to calm the situation.

Donald did not bowl again in the day, but controversy reigned again when umpire Orchard sent Taylor on his way, lbw for 13, with Adcock's delivery seemingly swinging way down leg. Australia were clearly rattled at this stage, but gradually they clawed their way back against some very accurate bowling, Bradman contributing 45 in over three hours before playing on to Goddard. Chappell and Border's second 50 stand of the match took Australia past 150, but Chappell's dismissal for 47 shortly before the close tipped the scales again, and at 178-4, Australia led by 133 at the close.

A rainy fourth day was all about Allan Border who, with wickets falling regularly at the other end, took on the Springbok pacemen, cutting and pulling his way to his 8th ATG century as Australia continued to struggle against the hosts' pace attack. Richie Benaud (11) stuck it out long enough to help Border to put on 50 for the seventh wicket, but the tail folded again as Peter Pollock scythed through the lower order to pick up a deserved five wicket haul.

Border was last man out for 112, by which time Australia's total had grown to 278, but a target of 234 on a pitch that was losing its spite seemed to be within South Africa's compass. Barry Richards departed for 0 to Miller as he became Rod Marsh's 50th victim in ATG cricket, but Goddard (25*) and Mitchell (11*) survived another bumper barrage from Thomson and co, leaving South Africa to score a further 198 runs on the final day to win this vital first Test.

Close of Play, Day 4
AUS 1st Inns 232 (Taylor 69, Woodfull 54, Chappell 53)
SAF 1st Inns 277 (RG Pollock 117; Johnston 4-51)
AUS 2nd Inns 278 (Border 112, Chappell 47, Bradman 45; PM Pollock 5-32)
SAF 2nd Inns 36-1