REPLAY: Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers destroy Australia

BIG tons from South Africa's Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers have left the Aussies chasing 632 for an unlikely victory in Perth.

BIG tons from Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers lifted South Africa to 569 in their second dig, leaving the Aussies chasing 632 for an unlikely victory in Perth.

9.00pm AEDT - AUS 0/40

Australia make it to stumps without a wicket falling - important psychologically chasing an enormous target.

The South Africans proved without doubt that there are runs to be had on this deck - but 632, that's another thing entirely for the Aussies.

Plenty to look forward to over the next couple of days, with the explosive David Warner still there on 29 and of course Ricky Ponting - Australia's best since Bradman - to play his very last Test innings with the No. 1 Test ranking on the line.

Join us tomorrow from 1pm AEDT to do it all over again.

8.48pm AEDT - AUS 0/34

Replays show a fly certainly did fly into Ed Cowan's helmet.

Scandal over and the fly spray is out.

David Warner's moved to 24 by the way, with Cowan on eight.

And Dale Steyn's back into the attack.

8.44pm AEDT - AUS 0/27

Graeme Smith getting it as good as he gives, with the Aussie batsmen pulling away from their crease a couple of times after the bowler had already started his run-up.

Ed Cowan explains, "I've got a fly in my helmet."

I don't think Smith believes him, but being the worst culprit of pulling away this series, he can't say too much.

8.37pm AEDT - AUS 0/24

Ooh, Morne Morkel is down.

He's rolled his ankle badly through the crease and hit the deck.

After receiving treatment briefly he makes his way back to the start of his run-up and will continue bowling.

Will be interesting to see how he pulls up tomorrow from that.

8.25pm AEDT - AUS 0/20

Australia are grinding their way through the new ball. 

All about going into the morning wicketless at this stage.

Eight overs to play and we do not want to see Ricky Ponting make his way to the middle tonight.

8:07pm AEDT - AUS 0/8

Early signs are Dave Warner is going to play his natural game here.

The first ball he faces, off Vernon Philander, is a short and wide one outside off that he throws the bat at, getting a top edge over slips and four runs to his name.

Three balls later comes a more convincing push through the on-side for another boundary.

8.02pm AEDT - AUS 0/0

Ed Cowan sees off the first over from Dale Steyn without too much concern.

Long way to go yet, though. 

7.49pm AEDT - SA all out for 569

WICKET!

And that's it. Morne Morkel is bowled neck and crop and the pain is finally over for Australia.

Morkel scores a duck and Mitchell Starc claims six wickets for the innings, albeit at a heavy cost.

The big NSW leftie finishes with figures of 6/154 as Australia are left to chase 631 for an extremely unlikely victory.

Morkel

7.46pm AEDT - 9/569

WICKET!

Dale Steyn makes way for eight after trying to cut a Mitchell Starc delivery that's too close to his body.

He can only manage to edge it and Matthew Wade take a nice catch above his head.

That's five for Starc.

7.24pm AEDT - 8/557

WICKET!

AB de Villiers is out, swinging wildly at a full and wide Mitchell Starc delivery outside off and feathering it through to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

He departs for 169 off 184 balls.

Amazing knock.

7.20pm AEDT - SA 7/556

As you'd expect with a score over 550, Australia's bowling figures look pretty, pretty ordinary.

Starc, Lyon, Johnson and Hastings have all gone for more than 100 runs and Johnson is the only one conceding less than five an over - at 4.55.

7.05pm AEDT - SA 7/539

WICKET!

One thing you can say about the Australians is that they have caught extremely well.

Robin Peterson is the next man to go, caught by a diving catch by, yep, Mitchell Johnson, diving forward to grab a skied top edge at mid-on off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

That's five catches and four wickets for Johnson in the innings. Not a bad return.

I knew it would happen at some stageSouth Africa are collapsing due to scoreboard pressure losing 3 quick wicketsOnly 601 ahead#ausvsa

6.59pm AEDT - SA - 6/538

WICKET!

Mitchell Johnson strikes again, getting the scalp of Faf du Plessis caught at first slip by Michael Clarke with a good diving effort to his right.

The South Africans have scored 71 runs in the seven overs since tea. Maybe this can stem the flow.

Johnson

6.57pm AEDT 0 SA 5/538

In a sign of Australia's sheer desperation, they've opted to review a half shout for lbw that not only pitched outside leg from Mitchell Johnson but was probably hitting Faf du Plessis outside leg as well.

Waste of time - and a review, of course.

6.53pm AEDT - SA 5/535

150!

AB de Villiers has rocketed to 150 off just 162 balls. He went from 50 to 150 in 63 balls.

As we speak, he's dropped to one knee and pulled out the Steve Waugh slog sweep against Nathan Lyon - and it went miles.

Up to 159 already.

6.49pm AEDT - SA 5/518

Not that they've batted slowly throughout this monster innings, but the South Africans have decided to really turn it on.

There aren't too many defensive shots out there, let's put it that way.

And in case you're wondering, the record fourth innings total to win a Test was 7/418 by West Indies against Australia at St John's in 2003.

There have been seven higher fourth innings totals than that to lose or draw, but none of them were by an Australian side.

The Aussies' highest last innings total was 406 against England at Lord's in 2009 - a loss.

South Africa's lead here is 580 - so far.

6.30pm AEDT - SA 5/467

Ricky Ponting gets the special honour of leading the Australians out onto the field, given there is some chance this will be the last session he spends in the field in the baggy green.

There are 32 overs left in the day and the boys need to pull out something special to be any chance of taking that No. 1 ranking away from the South Africans.

6.10pm AEDT - SA 5/467 at tea

Tea time and the South Africans lead by 529 runs with five wickets in hand.

AB de Villiers is 116 not out and reverse sweeping at will, while Faf du Plessis is unbeaten on two.

With a session and two days still to play - and the wicket showing no signs of wear - there is still very faint hope for Australia.

It will already take a batting display of record-breaking proportions for the home side - and the Proteas haven't even finished their innings yet.

De Villiers

5.55pm AEDT - SA 5/451

CENTURY!

AB de Villiers, the so-called out-of-form South African batsman, brings up his ton with three reverse sweeps for four in a row off Nathan Lyon. Three in a row!

South Africa's lead is more than 500 and Adelaide hero Faf du Plessis is the man at the other end.

The Australians are fighting, but there is no end in sight.

5.41pm AEDT - SA 5/436

WICKET!

Dean Elgar, on a pair, came out to an angry, fired up Australian side and was up against it from the get-go.

After almost catching Elgar on the glove with a fierce short ball, Mitchell Johnson followed it up with a fuller one and trapped the debutant in front for a quacker.

The Proteas opted for a review but it was never in doubt.

Elgar

5.36pm AEDT - SA 4/436

WICKET!

Would you believe it? Hashim Amla is gone for 196.

Mitchell Johnson was the man who finally broke through with a caught and bowled - and what a grab!

He just throws out the right hand and it sticks.

Amla receives a standing ovation as he leaves the field, and rightly so.

5.34pm AEDT - SA 3/432

Meanwhile, England spinner Graeme Swann is feigning short-term memory loss (see tweet below). 

And with good reason, Hashim Amla piled on an unbeaten 311 against the Poms at The Oval earlier this year. 

Just watching this fella called Amla batting on the TV. Looks too loose to me, wouldn't get a run in England...

5.22pm AEDT - SA 3/416

This is brutal. Edging towards a 500-run lead, but Warnie reckons they'll want to be about 600 ahead... 

Ps I think SA will need at least 180 overs... My guy feeling is after tea SA wi put the foot down & try and get a lead of 575/600 then dec

5.10pm AEDT - SA 3/405

Drinks and the Proteas have brought up 400.

Hashim Amla is up to 186 not out, a 23-run personal lead on Australia's first innings.

Ricky Ponting's retirement party could not be going much worse. 

5.02pm AEDT - SA 3/390

FIFTY!

AB de Villiers, down on form this series, brings up his half century with a cut for four off John Hastings.

Australia have done away with the part-timers and opted for the new ball.

The lead is up over 450.

4.57pm AEDT - SA 3/383

Punter into the attack! And the crowd goes wild...

He hasn't taken a wicket since the 2005 Ashes, the fifth scalp of his career.

Ricky's bending the back, putting in a few short ones, but hasn't drawn any blood just yet.

4.51pm AEDT - SA 3/378

Unfortunately, David Warner hasn't broken through yet.

Neither has our other strike weapon, Mike Hussey, who is steaming in from the other end.

Not quite Shane Warne/Glenn McGrath is it?

4.38pm AEDT - SA 3/351

AB de Villiers looks like he's decided to put the foot down, smacking Nathan Lyon down the ground for six, and then reverse seewping him for four the next ball.

And, wait a minute, Dave Warner into the attack! 

De Villiers

4.29pm AEDT - SA 3/339

And the lead is past 400 now.

Think it could be time to give someone like David Warner a bowl. Something different and no point containing them now.

Hashim Amla's up to 158, and AB de Villiers 28.

@cam_tomarchio Amla will probably get the credit for SA's likely win here, but it was Steyn that was always gonna get us at one stage

4.14pm AEDT - SA 3/321

150!

Hashim Amla uses his feet to Nathan Lyon and pushes him down the ground for an easy single to bring up yet another milestone.

If you could choose between Amla and Michael Clarke to bat for your life, who would you choose?

4.10pm AEDT - SA 3/320

And we're back. Hashim Amla needs one run to bring up his 150 and Australia need a big, big session to get back into this one.

3.30pm AEDT - SA 3/320 at lunch

Another brutal session for the Australians. South Africa are in complete, total, utter - and did I say complete? - control.

Hashim Amla, who started the day on 99 not out, goes into the break unbeaten on 149, again one run short of a milestone. AB de Villiers is unbeaten on 18.

Perhaps the most important number here is South Africa's overall lead of 382, and with seven wickets still in hand.

There was one moment of joy for Australia in the first session on day three, with Mitchell Starc removing Jacques Kallis for 37.

Kallis top-edged a pull shot to Mitchell Johnson at fine leg and the comeback quick had to take a sharp chance low down.

Michael Hussey grassed a very tough chance off Amla as well, but it would have been a special grab.

Playing at a trademark sucker ball from Johnson, Amla slashed it high to gully. Hussey got a hand to it but could not even slow the ball down enough to prevent the boundary.

Are Australia any chance here? What can we do to stop the rout?

Send a tweet to @cam_tomarchio, email me at [e-mail] or leave your comment below.

@cam_tomarchio Wonderful knock by Amla. What a pleasure to watch. Can someone explain how he was dismissed by Warner this series??

3.07pm AEDT - SA 3/310

Hashim Amla's year in brief: More than 1000 runs, including four 100s, two 50s, averaging over 70, highest score of 311 not out against England at The Oval.

He's 145 not out.

2.52pm AEDT - SA 3/298

Big opportunity for Australia here. AB de Villiers hasn't done much this series, with his top score 40 in the first Test at the Gabba.

He hasn't really been troubled yet today, though, moving to four.

Hashim Amla is edging towards 150. What a year he's had.

2.36pm AEDT - SA 3/287

WICKET!

Mitchell Starc finally breaks through for Australia, getting Jacques Kallis out caught at fine leg by Mitchell Johnson for 37.

It was an attempted pull shot from Kallis, but Starc found the top edge.

A pretty sharp catch in the end from Johnson, actually, as he needs to take it quite low down coming in.

Great combination from the Mitches there. Check it out on the interactive scoreboard.

AB de Villers comes to the middle.

Can the Aussies get a roll on here?

Starc

2.30pm AEDT - SA 2/286

That's drinks and the South Africans are in cruise control.

Hashim Amla has moved to 134 and Jacques Kallis to 37, with the lead out to 348.

The Aussie need something special.

Should Pup throw Punter the ball? 

Amla plays and misses at two in a row. Worrying trend; he did the same thing in a Test match in 2007.

2.20pm AEDT - SA 2/278

Very next over, Hashim Amla pulls out another exquisite drive for four, this time off Mitchell Starc.

He then does the old walk-across-the-crease thing and Jacques Kallis calls him out for it.

Next ball, Amla holds his ground and square drives Starc for another four. Jacques must be onto something.

2.15pm AEDT - SA 2/269

If there is one criticism of Hashim Amla today, it's been his attempt at some ugly improvisational shots that a batsman of his class really needn't bother with.

He's been taking a huge stride across his crease in a bid to work the ball away on the on-side, and I suppose make the bowler re-think his line, but it hasn't really been coming off. In fact, it could even bring about his downfall ... eventually.

2.06pm AEDT - SA 2/264

Not much the Aussies can do about this Hashim Amla onslaught. He's already hit four boundaries today - two classic drives and a deft glance down to third man - and the other the dropped chance, flashing at a wide one through gully.

The Australians aren't bowling badly, let's make that clear.

Mitchell Starc comes into the attack.

1.50pm AEDT - SA 2/247

DROPPED!

Hashim Amla flashed a classic Mitchell Johnson sucker ball - full and wide of off stump - and it flew to Mike Hussey at gully. 

Huss stuck out his right hand at full stretch but couldn't reel it in.

The Proteas take 10 off the over, with Amla also producing his second picture-perfect cover drive for four of the day.

John Hastings has been keeping it tight at the other end, but the lead is already more than 300.

1.33pm AEDT

CENTURY!

Hashim Amla brings up his century off just 87 balls with a glance off his hip to deep square leg off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson in the first over of the day.

Dominant display.

Amla

1.25pm AEDT

We're only minutes away from play in Perth, with Hashim Amla needing just one run to bring up his 18th Test century.

Yesterday was a demoralising day for the Australians but Michael Clarke and his men will know there is plenty of time left to turn this match around.

They also only have to look back as far as the 2008/09 series against South Africa to see massive totals can be chased down on this ground in the fourth innings.

On that occasion, the Proteas scored 4/414 to run down the Aussies, with Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers both notching tons.

Easier said than done, though.

1pm AEDT

Hello and welcome to day three from the WACA Ground in Perth.

Australia are in all sorts of trouble, needing a miraculous recovery if they are to win or save this Test match against South Africa. But as the Proteas showed in the second Test in Adelaide, much can be salvaged from seemingly hopeless positions.

South Africa head into day three at 2/230 with an overall lead of 292 after Australia were bowled out for a disappointing 163.

Hashim Amla is 99 not out from just 84 balls, with Jacques Kallis unbeaten on 17.

Amla and captain Graeme Smith (84) enjoyed a 178-run partnership in just 153 balls late yesterday to turn the game on its head after 20 wickets fell inside the first five sessions.

Ricky Ponting made just four as Australia slumped to 6/45, giving up any advantage after bowling out South Africa for 225 in their first innings on the opening day.

The Aussie bowlers have a huge job ahead of them, knowing they not only need to take another eight wickets but also try and stem the flow of runs as the Proteas build what is likely to be a massive lead, leaving the home side a huge task to win or survive.

Stay with us throughout the day for all the latest.