SYDNEY, Jan 6: South Africa need 314 runs on the final day of the third Test if they are to complete a clean sweep of the series against Australia after reaching 62-1 at stumps on Tuesday’s fourth day.

Australia, who began their second innings at the overnight score of 33 for no wicket, declared at 257-4 to leave South Africa needing 376 for victory.

Struggling Australian opener Matthew Hayden made 39, his highest Test score of the series, while Simon Katich scored 61 and Ricky Ponting 53 before the skipper declared.

The visitors lost makeshift opener Morne Morkel without scoring but acting skipper Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla saw play through to stumps.

South Africa will usurp their opponents at the top of the Test-match rankings if they can clinch victory on what should be a fascinating final day on Wednesday.

Australia have an inexperienced attack, while South Africa successfully chased down 414 to win the first Test in Perth.

Nonetheless, it will be a difficult assignment for the visiting team.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith is unlikely to bat after breaking his hand in the first innings but he could feature at a later stage in the day if he is required.

The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground is showing signs of wear, while Australia’s 288-2 against the Proteas in 2005-06 is the highest fourth innings total to win a Test at the ground.

Australia started the fourth day in aggressive fashion, with Hayden advancing down the track to drive through the on-side. The out-of-form opener eventually fell to Morkel, inside edging a drive on to his stumps.

The Queenslander, whose place has come under increasing scrutiny during a frustrating summer, was given a rousing reception as he walked off the ground.

Ponting, who almost chopped the ball on to his stumps with the first delivery he faced, was in brilliant form, striking nine fours as he compiled his 53 off just 57 balls.

But just as the skipper looked set to really cut loose as the home team pushed for a declaration total, he too fell to an inside edge as he attempted to cut a delivery from Morkel.

Dale Steyn accounted for Katich lbw with only Mark Boucher appearing to appeal for the decision, while Michael Clarke hit an aggressive 41 off 55 balls in a partnership of 76 with Michael Hussey.

Clarke was nonchalantly caught in the deep by Amla off the bowling of Paul Harris — and his dismissal brought about the declaration, leaving South Africa with their target of 376 from a minimum of 116 overs.

The Proteas sprung a surprise by opening with Morkel, who lamely chipped a delivery to Mitchell Johnson at mid-on to hand Doug Bollinger his first wicket at Test level.

Amla survived a scare when wicket-keeper Brad Haddin was unable to take a difficult chance wide to his right. Amla also had to take evasive action when a delivery from medium pacer Andrew McDonald hit a crack and climbed alarmingly. The batsman showed superb nerve and composure to drive the next delivery to the boundary.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA (1st Innings) 445 (M.J. Clarke

138, M.G. Johnson 64).

SOUTH AFRICA (1st Innings) 327 (M.V. Boucher 89, H.M. Amla 51; P.M. Siddle 5-59).

AUSTRALIA (2nd Innings, overnight 33-0):

M.L. Hayden b Morkel 39

S.M. Katich lbw b Steyn 61

R.T. Ponting b Morkel 53

M.E.K. Hussey not out 45

M.J. Clarke c Amla b Harris 41

EXTRAS (B-8, LB-9, NB-1) 18

TOTAL (for four decl, 67.3 overs) 257

FALL OF WKTS: 1-62, 2-134, 3-181, 4-257.

BOWLING: Steyn 13-1-60-1; Ntini 12-1-66-0 (1nb); Morkel 12-2-38-2; Kallis 10-5-13-0; Harris 20.3-1-63-1.

SOUTH AFRICA (2nd Innings):

N.D. McKenzie not out 25

M. Morkel c Johnson b Bollinger 0

H.M. Amla not out 30

EXTRAS (LB-5, W-2) 7

TOTAL (for one wkt, 26 overs) 62

FALL OF WKT: 1-2.

BOWLING (to-date): Siddle 6-1-16-0; Bollinger 4-1-11-1; Johnson 5-0-14-0 (2w); McDonald 5-3-8-0; Hauritz 5-2-8-0; Clarke 1-1-0-0.—Agencies