South Africa has been knocked to the canvas in their attempt to pull off a record chase in the second Test, losing captain Graeme Smith and run-machine Hashim Amla before tea on day four.
The Proteas are 2-40, needing 390 runs with eight wickets in hand to create history and protect their No.1 Test ranking.
Smith made a first innings hundred in Adelaide and has a reputation for leading his country out of trouble. But he edged Ben Hilfenhaus (1-20) to second slip in the first over of the innings for a second ball duck.
Michael Hussey lost his wicket just before lunch. Photo: Getty Images
Amla (17) has been the form batsman in Test cricket this year aside from Michael Clarke, but nicked one to the Australian skipper at first slip off Nathan Lyon (1-3).
South Africa were set 430 to win when Australia declared at 8-267 in their second dig.
Opener Alviro Petersen (20no) and Jacques Rudolph (2no) are at the crease.
Importantly, AB de Villiers is still to come, while Jacques Kallis is expected to bat again at some stage, despite aggravating his hamstring strain in his first innings 58.
Kallis is unlikely to play in the third Test in Perth, while Australian quick James Pattinson has been ruled out for the rest of the summer with a side injury.
If South Africa are to win in Adelaide they must post the biggest ever fourth innings run chase in Tests and survive another four sessions on a deteriorating pitch.
The West Indies made 7-418 to beat Australia in Antigua in 2003.
In Adelaide, the record successful fourth-innings chase was 6-315 by Australia against England back in 1901-02.
Pattinson (29no) did bat and his effort along with Ben Hilfenhaus (18no) provided a late flurry to boost Australia’s second innings.
Australia added 156 after resuming the day at 5-111.
South African spinner Imran Tahir finished with the worst bowling figures in Test match history - 0-260 from 37 overs.
AAP
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