South Africa face grim afternoon

South Africa 450 and 1 for 31 trail Australia 5 for 565 declared (Clarke 259*, Cowan 136, Hussey 100, Morkel 3-127) by 84 runs

James Pattinson defeated Alviro Petersen but would also have had Hashim Amla if not for a no-ball © Getty Images

South Africa were left with a grim afternoon's batting ahead in order to save the first Test after Australia's declaration allowed James Pattinson to claim the early wicket of Alviro Petersen in the minutes before lunch.

The visitors reached the interval at 1 for 31, requiring a further 84 to make Australia bat again, and might have been in a more parlous position but for a no-ball by Pattinson. Hashim Amla was bowled off an inside edge by a ball of full length, but the umpire Asad Rauf had the front crease checked after the dismissal and replays showed the bowler clearly over-stepping.

It was a frustrating moment for Pattinson, who was comfortably the most rhythmic and dangerous of Australia's bowlers. The hosts' slim chance of pressing for a victory will require a rush of wickets after the interval to become more realistic.

Australia's captain Michael Clarke had declared with a lead of 115 after he reached the highest individual score in Tests at the Gabba. Michael Hussey made his century and Matthew Wade also hit out with some success as the hosts gave their opponents an awkward final day scenario to contend with.

Clarke's unbeaten 259 featured some rollicking shots on resumption, lofting drives down the ground and heaving over midwicket with plenty of force. Hussey's advance to a hundred was a little more edgy, and on 99 he escaped being LBW on South Africa's referral via the thinnest of edges picked up on Hot-Spot.

The pitch was starting to show the very first signs of deterioration, Morne Morkel extracting some variable bounce to strike Clarke in the ribs and on the back, while Vernon Philander gained some disconcerting seam movement. After Hussey lifted Morkel to cover - the first wicket to a bowler in 120 overs - Wade took his time getting in, and was beaten several times.

However once he had his sighter Wade unleashed a trio of rasping offside strokes, the first a drive that might have decapitated Rory Kleinveldt, and hurried Clarke towards his declaration.

South Africa's response to the scenario confronting them was uncertain. Pattinson found his rhythm and some early swing, and it was the combination of speed and movement that drew Petersen into an ambitious drive that resulted in a thin edge through to Wade. Graeme Smith battled through the session, snicking Peter Siddle just short of the slips, and Amla was grateful for the fourth wicket off a no-ball in the match.

Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here

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