The third and final Test seems to be heading for a close finish after Ricky Ponting made a brave decision to declare and set the visiting South Africans an enticing target of 376.Chasing the imposing victory target of 376, the Proteas were 62 for one at stumps on day four with acting skipper McKenzie on 25 and Amla unbeaten on 30. Despite the large cracks on the pitch only four wickets fell in the entire day. Earlier, resuming on 33 for no loss, Australia declared its second essay at 257 for four wickets with Simon Katich (61), Ponting (53), Mike Hussey (45 not out) and Michael Clarke (41) scoring bulk of the runs.Opener Matthew Hayden (39) could not bank on a good start yet again and frittered away his wicket just when he seemed to have set his eye for a big score.Ponting almost had a golden pair against his name but the Australian skipper proved lucky and the first ball he faced from Morkel took an inside edge and missed the leg-stump by a whisker. Ponting had fallen to the pacer for a first ball duck in the first innings.Doug Bollinger (1 for 11) provided the early breakthrough picking up his first Test wicket after the Proteas, who sprung up a surprise sending in makeshift opener Morne Morkel. The right hander found it tough to adjust to his new roll and loosely chipped a catch to Mitchell Johnson at mid on.Things could have been worse for South Africa but Brad Haddin could not collect an edge offered by Amla, then at five, off Peter Siddle.With just one day left, it will be interesting to see if South Africa goes for the target despite its captain Graeme Smith not being in a position to bat.
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