Redbacks in danger despite Lehmann heroics

South Australia 343 (Lehmann 159, Cleary 52, Lee 4-77) and 3 for 14 need another 346 runs to beat New South Wales 9 for 515 dec and 2 for 187 dec (Katich 79*, Jaques 66)
Scorecard

Darren Lehmann moved to equal fifth on Australia's list of first-class century-makers but South Australia were in desperate trouble after losing three late wickets. Set 360 for victory after New South Wales closed their second innings at 2 for 187, South Australia showed the same signs that ruined their batting last season when they were reduced to 3 for 14 in eight overs from three Test bowlers.

Brett Lee struck first when he trapped Matthew Elliott with his fifth ball and Glenn McGrath claimed Shane Deitz before Stuart MacGill bowled the nightwatchman Cullen Bailey in the last over of the third day. Callum Ferguson was sent in ahead of Lehmann and survived his only delivery.

Lehmann towered over the Blues in the first-innings as he reached his 71st first-class century, putting him on the same line as Justin Langer and Stuart Law, and scored almost half his side's runs before he was last man out. Greg Chappell (74), Steve Waugh (79), Mark Waugh (81) and Don Bradman (117) are the only Australian players more prolific than Lehmann, who hit 23 fours and stayed for 203 deliveries before being caught at third-man by Lee off McGrath.

South Australia began the third day at 5 for 190 and gave up a 172-run first-innings lead following a 91-run partnership between Lehmann and Mark Cleary. Simon Katich, the New South Wales captain, did not enforce the follow on and then shared a 139-run stand with Phil Jaques before declaring for the second time in the match.