South Africa v Australia - Third Test, Day 5

A lead of 354 would normally allow an overnight declaration going into the final day of a Test match, but Trevor Goddard chose to continue batting on a hot and sunny fifth morning. Bruce Mitchell missed out on completing his century when the excellent Davidson uprooted his off stump for 89 in just the day's second over, but Mike Procter entertained the crowd with a flamboyant innings before being last out for 45, caught by O'Reilly at third man of all places as he scythed at a wide ball from Lillee.

South Africa'a 286 set Australia an impossible target of 422 to win in 74 overs, but on a pitch now stripped of much of its earlier pace, Woodfull and Taylor were able to post their second century opening stand of the series before Taylor (35) edged Procter to Mitchell at second slip from the first ball after tea. Woodfull, whose second fifty of the match had occupied just 70 deliveries and included eleven boundaries, struggled somewhat after the interval as Tayfield enjoyed his first extended spell of the match, and he eventually fell for 90, caught off bat and pad by Procter.

Tayfield also ensnared Harvey for a duck, and when Chappell was undone by Mitchell's occasional leg spin for 13 Australia had been reduced to 143-4, and with 15 overs still to be bowled the demons seemed to be setting in again. Border and Benaud batted out time to secure the draw though, and although series victory is now impossible, at least the rot has been stopped and at 2-0 down with two to play, Australia still have an outside chance of coming away with something positive from this troubled tour.

Close of Play, Day 5
SAF 1st Inns 384 (RG Pollock 122, Nourse 111, Richards 43; Lillee 4-84, Davidson 4-84)
AUS 1st Inns 249 (Woodfull 56, Healy 55, Border 40; Heine 5-67)
SAF 2nd Inns 286 (Mitchell 89, Nourse 45, Procter 45; Davidson 4-66)
AUS 2nd Inns 171-4 (Woodfull 90)

MATCH DRAWN



Man of the Match: PS Heine