Proteas face record chase

Amla: Dropped on five

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Third Test Match - Day Four
Sydney
Australia 445 (M J Clarke 138, M G Johnson 64) & 257-4 dec (S M Katich 61, R T Ponting 53) v South Africa 327 (M V Boucher 89, H M Amla 51, P M Siddle 5-59) & 62-1

South Africa face a record run-chase if they are to wrestle the world No.1 ranking away from Australia.

Some quick scoring from the Australians saw the Proteas set a target 376 - however with no side having passed 288 for victory at the SCG, the tourists will face a tough final day.

Their cause will not be helped by the absence of injured captain Graeme Smith, while stand-in opener Morne Morkel departed for a duck.

By the close, though, the South Africans had reached 62-1, with Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla remaining unbeaten.

McKenzie was 25 not out at stumps, while Amla, who was dropped by Brad Haddin off the bowling Peter Siddle when on five, reached an unbeaten 30.

Australia had begun the day on 33-0 and they started steadily as they added 86 runs in the morning session.

Ovation

Matthew Hayden was the only man to depart, dragging a delivery from Morkel onto his stumps for 39.

With rumours the 37-year-old is close to retiring, Hayden was given a standing ovation as he walked off the SCG.

Skipper Ricky Ponting almost picked up a king pair after nearly edging onto his own stumps, however he recovered to add impetus to Aussie innings.

His 53 came at almost a run-a-ball, before he played on to Morkel after lunch.

Simon Katich was next to follow for a more sedate 61, with the opener given out leg before to Dale Steyn despite only wicketkeeper Mark Boucher really appealing.

Micheal Clarke and Michael Hussey kept the scoreboard ticking over during a 76-run stand for the fourth wicket.

But when Paul Harris finally removed Clarke for 41, Amla taking a catch at deep midwicket, Ponting immediately declared - leaving Hussey unbeaten on 45.

Set 376 for victory, South Africa made the worst possible start when Morkel spooned up a catch to Mitchell Johnson to give Doug Bollinger his first Test wicket.

However, with Haddin putting down Amla, the tourists reached the close without further loss, leaving them 314 more runs for victory.