Ponting Marks 100th Test in Style

South Africa led the third Test by 96 runs after bowling Australia out for 359 shortly before the close of play on day three in Sydney.

But with 20 minutes remaining, South Africa had to begin their second innings - and the hosts managed to take the wicket of AB de Villiers with the final delivery of the day to leave the tourists four for one.

Ricky Ponting (120) had led Australia’s fightback with his 27th Test century - making him just the sixth batsman, and the only Australian, to make a century in his 100th Test.

Adam Gilchrist then returned to form a magnificent innings of 86, and tailender Stuart MacGill hit a quickfire 29 to help Australia towards South Africa’s first-innings total of 451 for nine declared.

Resuming on 54 for three after an hour’s rain delay, Ponting put on 130 with Michael Hussey for the fourth wicket. Their partnership was finally ended when Hussey was caught behind off debutant spinner Johan Botha for 45.

The Aussie captain was eventually trapped lbw by Jacques Kallis to leave Australia on 222 for five. South Africa paceman Andre Nel then had Andrew Symonds controversially given out lbw by umpire Aleem Dar when the ball looked to be missing leg stump.

Nel followed up by having Shane Warne caught behind first ball to leave the hosts on 226 for seven, still needing 26 to avoid the follow on when bad light sent the teams in early for tea.

Nel submitted his fellow pace bowler Brett Lee to a barrage of bouncers after the break, but it was Kallis who eventually got his man when Lee gloved to Graeme Smith at first slip.

Gilchrist brought up his 50 with a drive through the covers and then played some of his trademark experimental shots as he and MacGill put on 59 for the ninth wicket. MacGill made hay until he skied a catch to mid-off.

Glenn McGrath then proved another valuable ally as Gilchrist took most of the strike, but the wicket-keeper eventually gloved behind to his opposite number.

South Africa were left needing to play out two overs before stumps were called. But de Villiers was unable to survive into day four, given out lbw to Lee.

Australia currently lead the three-match series 1-0 after defeating the South Africans by 184 runs in Melbourne, with the first Test in Perth drawn.