Share

Proteas set huge target

Pretoria - Australia declared its second innings on 290-4 early on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa for a mammoth lead of 481 on Saturday.

LIVE UPDATES: SA v Australia - Day 4

Mitchell Johnson then removed both South African openers in his first two overs to have South Africa 12-2 and on the ropes against the near-unplayable form of the ferocious Australia fast bowler.

Johnson forced Alviro Petersen (1) out to an edge behind to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin in the second over and removed South Africa captain Graeme Smith for 4 to a sharp catch by Alex Doolan at short leg in the fourth over of the innings, continuing the speed and aggression he used to destroy South Africa in the first innings.

Australia was racing toward a crushing victory over the top-ranked Test team.

At the start of the day, Australia skipper Michael Clarke, who was batting at the time, called a halt to the Aussie second innings at SuperSport Park as soon as Shaun Marsh fell to Dale Steyn for 44 in the third over of the day, setting South Africa an unlikely victory target of 482 that was made much more unlikely with Johnson's red-hot form.

David Warner made 115 and Doolan 89 on Friday to anchor Australia's second innings, leaving South Africa needing a world-record chase to win and six sessions to survive the threat of Aussie quick Johnson, who took 7-68 in the first innings.

The highest successful fourth-innings total in a Test at Centurion is 251.

And after Johnson's two immediate strikes, Australia was in a near-unstoppable position to win the series-opener and become the first team to beat South Africa in a Test at Centurion in 14 years.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE