Australia make promising start to big chase

PORT ELIZABETH: Australia made a promising start to a daunting chase of 448 in the second Test in South Africa as David Warner and Chris Rogers enjoyed a century opening partnership and the tourists reached a solid 141-1 at tea on the fourth day.

Warner and Rogers nearly went through the whole session unbeaten, too. Warner made a belligerent 66 and Rogers was 69 not out.

They frustrated South Africa´s bowlers until half an hour before tea when spinner JP Duminy found some response from the rough to trap Warner lbw after the openers put on 126 at a rapid run rate. Australia still needs 307 runs to win or to survive four more sessions for a draw.

Australia won the first Test by a heavy 281 runs.

At Port Elizabeth, South Africa set Australia the big victory target after declaring on 270-5 before lunch on the fourth day chasing a series-leveling victory.

Hashim Amla made 127 not out in the South African second innings, completing his 21st Test century early in the morning as the No. 1 Test team was in control, but was then made to work in the afternoon and toil for most of it in the hot sun.

Australia responded to the declaration with a flurry of boundaries from Warner, who hit nine fours and a towering six straight down the ground off Duminy.

Rogers also attacked, driving fluently at the start of his innings and staying unbeaten into the final session of the penultimate day after hitting nine boundaries.

Early on Sunday, Amla and Quinton de Kock, the 21-year-old batsman on debut, shared a partnership of 64 for the fifth wicket to set the big total, with the Proteas adding 78 to their overnight 192-4.

Amla was sublime for his century and stroked 16 flowing fours in all.
De Kock hit three fours but was out for 34 when caught by Michael Clarke at slip for offspinner Nathan Lyon´s only wicket of the innings and Australia´s lone breakthrough of the day.

Duminy was 18 not out with Amla with his two boundaries before the declaration came. South Africa were 447 runs ahead when captain Graeme Smith called the batsmen in.

South Africa bowled Australia out for 246 in the first innings and has a day and a bit to bowl at the Australians and push for victory if the weather doesn´t intervene. (AP)