Australia looks likely to retain its shaky No 1 status in Test cricket after removing three key South African batsmen early today morning, leaving the visitors with a difficult task as Perth saviours AB de Villiers and J P Duminy occupied the crease at lunch.
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The Proteas crumbled to 4-139 on a crumbling SCG pitch while de Villiers survived a strong LBW shout and nearly had his off-stump removed by fiery paceman Peter Siddle just before the break.
Duminy was batting on 7 and de Villiers on 29, and South Africa require a further 237 runs to win the match.
Breakthrough
Spinner Nathan Hauritz (1-25) made the major breakthrough today, claiming the wicket of Hashim Amla for 59 moments after the first drinks break, with Jacques Kallis departing just before.
Kallis' removal caused much consternation among the South African camp after he was caught and bowled by Andrew McDonald (1-10) for just four runs, with the third umpire Rod Tucker forced to review footage before agreeing with Billy Bowden's decision to rule Kallis out.
The front angle footage did not show whether McDonald grasped the ball before it scraped the pitch and usually the batsman is given the benefit of the doubt, but Tucker felt the catch was taken without any contact on the ground.
Kallis had tried to flick a rising delivery but lobbed it straight and both McDonald and Ricky Ponting raced to the middle of the pitch for the catch, with McDonald's extended arm raising the ball.
Early in the day's play Doug Bollinger (2-28) broke through for his second scalp by having Nick McKenzie (27) caught by Michael Hussey.
South Africa, ranked second in the world, must win the match to replace Australia at the top.
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