In what has been nothing short of a miraculous turnaround, South Africa accelerated their surge towards a series win against Australia on the fourth day at Melbourne.Australia were bowled out for 247 in their second innings before close of play, giving South Africa a 183-run target to clinch the series.In reply, South Africa got off to a perfect start as Graeme Smith sped up the chase with an unbeaten 25 off just 19 balls. The visitors reached 30-0 at stumps, needing only 153 more to claim their biggest series win.Brett Lee, bowling with an injury, would have tasted success had he not overstepped when he cleaned up Niel McKenzie. The incident perhaps rounded off what have been two horrid days for the Australians.
On the penultimate day, the home side crumbled at the MCG, with only Ricky Ponting putting up a fight to the resurgent Proteas. The Aussie skipper followed up his first innings ton with a gritty 99 when the rest of his fellow batsmen buckled under pressure.After JP Duminy and Dale Steyn turned the tables with the bat on Sunday to gain a vital 65-run lead, the visitors ran through the Australian batting with some hostile pace. Steyn was the leader of the pack once again, removing the openers Matthew Hayden (23) and Michael Katich (15) early.
Michael Hussey (two) was sent back with a snorter from Morne Morkel, although replays suggested the southpaw may have been unlucky.Vice-captain Michael Clarke stuck it out in the middle with Ponting looking at his peerless best at the other end. The duo put up a gritty 93-run stand. But Steyn was back in action soon and gave skipper Graeme Smith a double bonanza as he snared Clarke (30) and Andrew Symonds (zero) in successive overs.
Brad Haddin (10) and Brett Lee (eight) could not do what the South African tail did a day before. Both departed before tea with skipper Ponting stranded on the other end.Mitchell Johnson (43 not out) hung in there but the Proteas were in no mood to give it away. Jacques Kallis cleaned up Nathan Hauritz (three) and Dale Steyn took his second five-wicket haul of the game when he scalped last man Peter Siddle (six).
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