Australia set up victory push

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Australia ended a day that yielded 13 wickets in control of the second Test at Adelaide despite South Africa paceman Rory Kleinveldt’s triple strike in the evening session.

Bat was expected to dominate ball once again as the Proteas resumed at 217 for two, with Graeme Smith sitting pretty on 111, in reply to the hosts’ 482 for five.

That did not prove the case, however, as Australia shared the wickets around to dismiss South Africa for just 388 - despite debutant Francois du Plessis’ fluent 78 and Jacques Kallis’ brave 58.

Australia subsequently gained a commanding lead of 162 - though the tourists did claw their way back into the encounter somewhat as Kleinveldt showed impressive fight.

The seamer got rid of David Warner, one of three first-innings centurions, struggling number three Rob Quiney and Ed Cowan the help reduce the hosts to 111 for five - 273 ahead.

Jacques Rudolph added just four to his overnight 25 before driving off-spinner Nathan Lyon straight to cover and, in the next over, Peter Siddle finally ousted Smith.

Rory Kleinveldt's late burst set up a fascinating fourth day of the second Test match between Australia and South Africa at the Adelaide Oval

The paceman found the perfect length outside off stump and Smith feathered to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, with umpire Billy Bowden’s verdict being upheld on review.

With his tail seemingly up, Siddle then struck again, trapping AB de Villiers plumb in front as the Decision Review System once again vindicated Bowden.

Despite those breakthroughs with the old ball, Clarke took the new cherry at the first opportunity - a decision that looked inspired when Hilfenhaus had Dale Steyn caught at second slip and uprooted Kleinveldt’s off stump to leave the tourists reeling on 250 for seven.

At that stage, South Africa were in real danger of not reaching the follow-on mark, yet du Plessis and Kallis had other ideas.

The latter - batting at nine after sustaining a hamstring injury while bowling - delivered a quite brilliant counter-attack after lunch, the highlights of which were him twice striking Siddle for three fours in an over.

Kallis’ adventure would eventually prove his undoing as Wade took the catch after a delivery from Michael Clarke - who the batsman had pulled for six previously - located glove.

For a man in his maiden five-day outing, du Plessis managed to play with impressive freedom, profiting early on from the home side bowling too straight.

He enjoyed some moments of fortune as edges went through the cordon and was also reprieved on 52 when Ricky Ponting dropped a difficult chance at midwicket.

Yet the array of strokes unfurled, including some crisp drives through the off side, left a century in reach - particularly following a glorious six over long-on off Siddle.

That was not to be, though, as Lyon bowled Morne Morkel before du Plessis was caught at silly mid-on off Hilfenhaus.

Australia’s position was strengthened further when Warner raced to 41 in an opening stand of 77, but South Africa were to roar back impressively with Kleinveldt taking three wickets in 18 balls.

The 29-year-old had Warner, undone by extra bounce, taken at cover and Quiney caught behind in the space of two deliveries before bowling Cowan for 10.

Ponting’s recent plight continued as he dragged a Steyn short ball on to his stumps and Siddle edged Morkel behind to set up a crucial opening session tomorrow.