Boucher knock gives South Africa the edge

South Africa 303 and 250 for 8 (Boucher 55*, Gibbs 53, Clark 4-64) lead Australia 270 (Hussey 73, Lee 64, Ntini 6-100) by 283 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out

Mark Boucher's half-century has ensured Australia will have a tough run-chase © Getty Images

Australia will have to chase at least 284 for a 3-0 cleansweep after South Africa spent most of the day building a hugely competitive lead in an absorbing contest. The home side was cruising at 100 for 2 as Herschelle Gibbs breezed to an attractive half-century, but they were pegged back and the advantage would have been much greater if Stuart Clark and Shane Warne had not kept Australia in touch.

The pitch is offering disconcerting pace and movement, especially with the new ball, and the target will be a severely challenging one as both teams attempt to end a one-sided series on a high. Each time South Africa threatened to run away with the match Australia dragged themselves back, although the hosts finished extremely strongly in the last 30 minutes with Mark Boucher and Andre Nel taking them to 250 for 8 when bad light ended play early again.

Clark used the conditions superbly to deliver a consistent line that challenged the batsmen and upset their rhythm. He finished with 4 for 64 while Warne struck three blows - two with full tosses - as the side performed without Michael Kasprowicz for the final two sessions as he struggled with a back problem. They were already missing Justin Langer, who was recovering from the hit he copped from Makhaya Ntini yesterday, and he is still waiting to make a decision about whether he will bat in the second innings.

South Africa realised every run was valuable and promoted Shaun Pollock to No. 6 in a bid to increase the score quickly, and he re-floated them with an entertaining 40 as they coped with the loss of their two rocks, Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince, in quick succession. Clark collected Kallis for 27 when he won an lbw decision from Tony Hill and Warne knocked over Prince to a catch that was so doubtful Andrew Symonds didn't seem to appeal for his take at leg slip. Steve Bucknor sensed an edge and South Africa stuttered as they lost 3 for 20.

When Kallis was dismissed South Africa were 130 for 5 and battling to maintain their momentum, and it wasn't until Pollock combined with Boucher in a 46-run stand that the lead pushed past 200. Boucher made sure it went even further during another crucial performance with the tail, picking up an unbeaten 55 with Nel chipping into the target setting by adding 18.

Australia's second innings will not be easy as few batsmen have felt comfortable on this surface. Nobody has been as dominant as Gibbs during his 53 that contained six fours and a six to drive his team's charge. His upbeat display ended with a soft dismissal when he planted Warne's full toss to Damien Martyn at mid-on and South Africa slowly slipped until Pollock and Boucher intervened.

Warne's entrance had been delayed until after lunch and he bowled throughout the rest of the day to finish with 3 for 83 from 25 overs. His victims will not be memorable ones at the end of his career, including his addition of Nicky Boje to a full toss from a wrong'un gone badly wrong, but they were necessary in a difficult situation.

South Africa lost the early wicket of AB de Villiers at 9 when he left a Clark delivery that tipped the top of off stump in the same over he was struck on the gloves by one that jumped. Boeta Dippenaar joined Gibbs in a bright second-wicket stand of 46 at almost six an over before Matthew Hayden dived to intercept a stinging Dippenaar drive at gully that gave Clark his second victim. Clark returned for a long and impressive spell before tea to take care of Kallis and then forced an edge from Jacques Rudolph to continue Australia's fightback.

Ntini finished off the tourists this morning with 6 for 100 as South Africa gained a 33-run buffer after the first innings. Australia added 24 and Brett Lee posted his highest Test score with 64 from 68 balls in a controversial and powerful installment. He escaped an lbw appeal from Pollock on 45 and next ball cut to Dippenaar at first slip, standing his ground until the umpires surprisingly gave him not out.

There were a handful of confusing decisions but Australia's batting on a surface offering regular assistance to the bowlers will determine the result. Langer stayed in the hotel as Australia's innings concluded, but he might be required to make a tough decision as a fascinating Test heads towards its conclusion.

AB de Villiers b Clark 4 (9 for 1)
No shot to off-cutter that tipped off bail

Boeta Dippenaar c Hayden b Clark 20 (55 for 2)
Drove hard to gully; great diving catch to fielder's left

Herschelle Gibbs c Martyn b Warne 53 (100 for 3)
Full toss skewed to mid-on

Ashwell Prince c Symonds b Warne 9 (120 for 4)
Off pad to leg slip

Jacques Kallis lbw Clark 27 (130 for 5)
Played forward to a ball that nipped back

Jacques Rudolph c Gilchrist b Clark 0 (140 for 6)
Simple edge to wicketkeeper

Shaun Pollock c Gilchrist b Lee 44 (186 for 7)
Top-edged pull from short and wide ball

Nicky Boje c Symonds b Warne 4 (194 for 8)
Scooped up ball at square leg from high full toss

Michael Kasprowicz c Gibbs b Pollock 2 (260 for 8)
Glided straight to gully

Brett Lee c Boje b Ntini 64 (270 for 9)
Hit high to deep mid-off