Aussies in command despite de Villiers ton

Australia built a 297-run lead in their second innings when bad light stopped play on Day Three of the first Test against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium...

Australia built a 297-run lead in their second innings when bad light stopped play on Day Three of the first Test against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

The tourists reached 51 for one before the players left the field in the final session,staying off for 45 minutes until the umpires drew stumps 31 overs early.

Debutant Phillip Hughes,the youngest Australian Test debutant since Craig McDermott in 1984,avoided the ignominy of making two ducks as he was on 36 not out with captain Ricky Ponting unbeaten on one.

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Morne Morkel struck early to have Simon Katich caught behind for 10,breaking a 38-run opening stand with Hughes.

Earlier,AB de Villiers put up a fight for South Africa but ran out of partners,finishing unbeaten on 104 for his eighth Test century as the Proteas were dismissed for 220 runs midway through the second session.

Dale Steyn made 17 in a 52-run ninth-wicket stand with de Villiers,who was put down by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on 64. Mitchell Johnson who made a stunning 96 not out in Australias first innings returned superb figures of 4/25.

Brief scores: Australia 466 and 51/1 (P Hughes 36 not out,M Morkel 1/21); South Africa 220 (AB de Villiers 104 not out,M Johnson 4/25)