Aussies stretch lead but SA stay in the hunt

Mitchell Johnson stretched his wicket-haul in South Africa8217;s first innings to eight...

Mitchell Johnson stretched his wicket-haul in South Africa8217;s first innings to eight on Friday but the visitors managed to keep themselves in the fray as Day Three unfolded at the WACA ground. Australia batted their way to a lead of 322 but South Africa held them to 228/7 at stumps.

Needing a strong response after being dismissed for 281, South Africa gained ground against a team struggling with injuries and other ailments. Ricky Ponting was in pain from a stomach problem on his 34th birthday while Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey battled unsuccessfully during unconvincing displays in the middle.

Brett Lee was unlucky to edge the ball near AB de Villiers, who flew in the cordon for another magnificent dismissal. Brad Haddin, who hit 39, was involved in an unbeaten partnership of 66 with Jason Krezja, who eased to 28 and ensured Australia finished on a high.

Scoreboard

Australia 1st innings: 375 all out

South Africa 1st innings: N McKenzie c Krejza b Johnson 2, G Smith b Johnson 48, H Amla b Krejza 47, J Kallis c Haddin b Johnson 63, AB de Villiers c Haddin b Johnson 63, J Duminy c Haddin b Johnson 1, M Boucher c Katich b Siddle 26, M Morkel c Krejza b Johnson 1, P Harris c Krejza b Johnson 0, D Steyn c Haddin b Johnson 8, M Ntini not out 5, Extras lb 5, w 5, nb 7 17; Total all out; 89.5 overs 281

FoW: 1-16, 2-106, 3-110, 4-234, 5-237, 6-238, 7-241, 8-241, 9-256, 10-281; Bowling: B Lee 21-3-59-0, M Johnson 24-4-61-8, J Krejza 25-2-102-1, P Siddle 16.5-5-44-1, A Symonds 3-1-10-0

Australia 2nd innings: M Hayden c 038; b Steyn 4, S Katich c Boucher b Kallis 37, R Ponting c Boucher b Harris 32, M Hussey b Ntini 8, M Clarke c Kallis b Steyn 25, A Symonds c Smith b Harris 37, B Haddin batting 39, B Lee c de Villiers b Kallis 5, J Krejza batting 28, Extras lb 6, w 2, nb 5 13; Total for 7 wkts; 75 overs 228

FoW: 1-25, 2-59, 3-88, 4-88, 5-148, 6-157, 7-162; Bowling: D Steyn 16-3-57-2, M Ntini 13-2-55-1, P Harris 23-3-64-2, J Kallis 11-4-19-2, M Morkel 12-3-27-0