South Africa v Australia - Second Test, Days 3 & 4

Australia's tail mounted a commendable fightback on day 3, a stand of 80 (the biggest of the innings) for the eighth wicket between Benaud (46) and Davidson (40) helping propel the tourists' total to 216 all out, a fair recovery from the depths of 103-7. With a lead of 221 Goddard decided not to enforce the follow-on, a decision that was met with mixed opinions in the press box, and by the end of the day the doubters seemed to have a point as South Africa stuttered to a score of 86-4 in 43 painful overs as Australia continued their resurgence.

Richards (6) again fell early, caught behind for the third consecutive time off Miller, and although Trevor Goddard became the first player to complete the double of 2000 runs and 100 wickets during the course of his innings of 13, there was little else to cheer for Springbok supporters. Davidson put in an excellent spell after tea, and it was left to Graeme Pollock - who else? - to hold the innings together. The only cloud for Australia was cast when Miller, fielding at silly point, had to leave the field in agony after being hit flush on the right shin by a Pollock drive off Benaud, and it is unlikely that we will see 'Nugget' in action again in this match.

South Africa continued to struggle on day 4, the early loss of Pollock for 43 - his first sub-fifty score of the series - setting the tone for the Springboks. Lillee claimed the vital scalp, and he was on his way to a career best return of 4-40 (Lillee has amazingly failed to capture a five wicket haul in 26 ATG Tests) as South Africa were bundled out for 169. Only Procter (30) and Graeme's brother, Peter (32*), offered any resistance, and Don Bradman must have been delighted with the way his team had fought back over the course of the second half of the match.

Australia still faced a titanic challenge if they were to pull off a most unlikely victory though, requiring the small matter of 391 to win with a minimum of 131 overs in which to score them, a task that was made all the more difficult when Procter and Donald once again removed Taylor and Woodfull with the innings barely underway. However, Bradman and Chappell managed to bat through to stumps unparted, and there were signs that the Don might just be recapturing some much needed form. Australia will begin the final day's play needing a further 283 to win, but avoiding defeat will probably be the number one priority for the tourists before any thoughts of a miraculous victory.

Close of Play, Day 4
SAF 1st Inns 437 (RG Pollock 195, Goddard 121, Waite 48; Davidson 6-100)
AUS 1st Inns 216 (Benaud 46, Davidson 40)
SAF 2nd Inns 169 (RG Pollock 43; Lillee 4-40)
AUS 2nd Inns 108-2 (Chappell 48*, Bradman 37*)