SYDNEY: South Africa need 314 more runs with nine wickets in hand as they are chasing another difficult target to make a clean sweep against Australia here at the SCG.

The South African victory will bounce them up to the No. 1 Test ranking and Ricky Ponting would go down in history as the first captain to lead Australia to a 0-3 loss at home.

However, South Africa would need their third miracle of the series and with Graeme Smith unlikely to bat their task is even tougher. This was a team that had chased 414 in Perth.

Ponting’’s sporting declaratrion to set the visitors 376 in nearly four full sessions was a brave decision.

Ponting had found the cracking surface easier than it looked in posting a half-century and Hashim Amla and Neil McKenzie also seemed relatively comfortable after coming together at 1 for 2.

Morne Morkel was an odd choice to open in the absence of the injured Smith and it was a plan that took only two balls to fail. Morkel spooned his second delivery to mid-on to give Doug Bollinger his first Test wicket but it was the only reason for Australia to cheer in the final two hours. Amla (30) and McKenzie (25) showed impressive concentration to survive and post a 60-run unbeaten partnership.

Ponting (53), Simon Katich (61), Michael Clarke (41) and Michael Hussey (45 not out) all made contributions after Hayden (39) departed in the morning.

The declaration came when the Aussies reached 257-4 and the Protease were 62-1 at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test.

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