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All action ... Hussey and Clarke continued the good work on day four. Source: Dan Peled / AAP
Australia will look to mount a fightback on day four of the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba, and you can follow it all with our live blog or with our Cricket Match Centre, which features all the stats, ball-tracker graphics and key information you'll need.
1st Test - Gabba
9 November 2012 - Day 4, Session 3
Australia 1st Innings
| M. Clarke | 201 | 340 | 19 | 0 | 59.12 |
| M. Hussey | 82 | 102 | 11 | 0 | 80.39 |
| D. Steyn | 25.1 | 3 | 98 | 1 | 3.89 |
Day three was dominated by South Africa, as their batsmen racked up a total of 450 before taking three early wickets in Australia's innings.
But there's still hope for Australia, with a solid platform laid for their batsmen to be able to make enough runs to avoid the follow on and potentially play out a draw.
Live
First ball: 11:00 AM November 9, 2012
Location: Gabba
Match Summary
Australia: 4/466
South Africa: 9/450
Either way, day four promises to be the most pivotal of the first Test, and could well go a long way to deciding the overall result of the series.
Follow the action with our LIVE and INTERACTIVE blog, and join the conversation by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page or sending an email to blogs@foxsports.com.au!
You can also check out all the stats, pitch maps and wagon wheels at our Cricket Match Centre.
Latest comments (all times AEDT)
1820: Mark from BrisVegas says: Antony, if this game is clearly heading to a draw about half way through the second session tomorrow, and by that I mean Australia is still batting, then I think both sides should call it even and start a separate 20/20 game for the fans and TV. With TV rights up for renewal, there would be a lot of goodwill to go round.
Antony says: A boy can only dream, Mark.
1818: Hussey sweeps one around the corner to move on to 78. Will he try go for his hundred before the end of the day?
1812: DOUBLE HUNDRED! There it is! Clarke brings up his 200 with a sweetly-timed on-drive off the bowling of Steyn. He's looked unstoppable after reaching his century. That's his third double-century this calendar year. Incredible. AUS 4-458
1808: Hades of all Realms of Sydney says: Was that Katut and Rhonda I saw in the crowd????
Antony says: Now there's a true romance.
1806: Now Alviro Petersen is going to roll the arm over. Who hasn't had a bowl yet?
1804: Clarke rocks back to a short one from Morkel and guides it down to third man. The batsmen run three, taking Clarke to 196. FOUR! Hussey hits the next ball for four through the covers. FOUR! And the next ball also goes for four, as Hussey edges a cover drive through about fourth slip. Australia are now ahead of South Africa! AUS 4-453
1800: QLD fan says: hi anthony are we going to see three roads three drawn tests and 3 tests of batting practice? now i know why everyone goes to T20, test cricket is dead
Antony says: That's a bit pessimistic. I think we can rely on at least the WACA pitch being quite lively. Quite rare to get a draw over in Perth.
1758: CLOSE! CLOSE! CLOSE! What does Morkel have to do get a wicket? He bowls three of the exact same deliveries - just short of a good length, moving away slightly from the left-hander - and he beats Hussey every time. FOUR! Then he pitches up slightly and Hussey smashes it through the covers for four. FOUR! Then Hussey plays a nice hook shot for four. Poor Morkel. AUS 4-441
1753: FOUR! Wow! Clarke just opens the face to a line and length ball from Philander and runs it down to the third man boundary. Philander looks stunned. AUS 4-433
1752: FOUR! Philander bowls a poor ball outside leg stump and Clarke flicks it down to the fine leg boundary. Clarke is on 188 now - are we going to see a double hundred tonight? AUS 4-429
1750: Bad news for those hoping for a declaration this before the end of the day. Ed Cowan has just said that "we'll have to see what the captain thinks after today".
1749: CLOSE! FOUR! That's unlucky for Morkel, he's bowled well without success today. Hussey goes for the big cover drive and this time gets a thick edge that flies just wide of the man at gully and ends up going for four. AUS 4-425
1746: Cole says: if clarke declares now, how many over would the australian have to bowl?
Antony says: Technically there are 14 overs left today, but play can only go until 6.30pm EDT (5.30pm local time) so I think we'll fit in less than 14 overs before then.
1743: FOUR! That's a majestic cover drive from Clarke. The field on the off-side is packed, but he's managed to split the fielders perfectly and the ball races all the way along the ground to the boundary. FOUR! He follows it up with a peach of an on-drive. This is special stuff. Clarke's on 177 now. AUS 4-412.
1741: Dan in Korea has a prediction: Hi Guys, have your blog on at work and its fantastic stuff. My prediction: Australia to get 200 odd in front by tomorrow morning. Clarke getting a double hundred, Mr Cricket to get 100 and Wade a quick fire 50. SAF collapse to be all out for 110. Go Aussies!
Antony says: That's an optimistic prediction Dan. How is the kimchi in Korea?
1739: Things have got a bit more serious with Morne Morkel returning to the attack. He's been the pick of the Proteas bowlers today.
1736: Wow, now they're getting really desperate - Hashim Amla is going to have a bowl! His first ball is a shocker, short and wide, but luckily for him the field is well spread. All in all, his over is ... amusing.
1733: FOUR! Kallis bowls a loose one down leg side and Clarke helps it on its way down to the fine leg boundary. That also brings up the 100 partnership between Clarke and Hussey, and the 400 for Australia. They're edging ever closer to South Africa's total. AUS 4-400
1730: FIFTY! Smith dishes up a rank full toss and Hussey punches it down to long off for a single to bring up his 50, and it's off just 68 balls. Mr Cricket is in good knick. AUS 4-395
1727: matt h of Brisbane says: Got to love the Huss! Nothing worse for a tired fielding side than seeing a 37 year old hussle between wickets, score at a run a ball and generally look invincible.
Antony says: Hussey sure has been impressive this afternoon. The man is like the Energizer bunny!
1722: Hussey plays a nice clip to deep mid-wicket off a full ball from Smith and gets three runs, moving him along to 49. AUS 4-387
1720: Ryan Groube says: Antony, Do you think the Proteas made a gaffe by not picking the spinner in Tahir? Surely late on the fourth day they would be getting more value out of him than they are from the fourth string no-balling seamer.
Antony says: I think they definitely made an error in judgement there. Both sides have expressed surprise at the lack of extreme pace and bounce in the pitch, and the fact Graeme Smith has bowled so many overs shows that Tahir would have got an extended run in the attack if he was picked. To add to the disappointment for South Africa, Kleinveldt has been sub-par so far.
1717: Jacques Kallis to bowl the first over after drinks.
1715: That's drinks in the final session on day four. With about an hour and a quarter remaining today, and Australia trailing by 66 runs, who will be ahead at stumps? Let us know your prediction!
1712: Graeme Smith brings himself back to bowl. I wonder if he's wishing he had Imran Tahir to turn to now, rather than himself.
1710: paul of brisbane has a response to The Oracle of Hobart: I'd gladly watch Cown make centuries all summer!
1707: 150! Kallis returns to the attack, and Clarke clips him to mid-wicket and scampers through for two to bring up his 150, which comes off 280 balls. AUS 4-374
1706: A couple of comments on the question of a declaration ... Jayvee says: Declare. Show them we have no fear of them bowling us out again. Throw the game open. South African sporting teams choke.
Mark from BrisVegas says: In regard to declaring, I agree that we should bat into tomorrow. One important thing I think Australia still needs to do is give Wade the chance to get some time in the middle and build an innings. He is key to this team, we have a reasonably long tail, we need him in form. This is just the chance.
1702: Hussey has quietly made his way to 40 off just 53 balls. Hard to tell if he's deliberately going for quick runs under instruction from Clarke, or if he's just in good touch. AUS 4-369
1656: The Oracle of Hobart says: I'd rather watch lawn bowls then watch ed Cowan making a century again. This guy is excruciating to watch
Antony says: You must be a pretty big lawn bowls fan!
1653: GOOD FIELDING! Clarke crunches another cover drive but this time it's stopped by a brilliant diving save from substitute fieldsman Faf du Plessis. FOUR! But Clarke gets a boundary the very next ball by nonchalantly pulling a short one from Steyn in front of mid-wicket. AUS 4-363
1647: matt h of Brisbane says: Keep the SA bowlers out there as long as possible. Try to take the sting out them for the rest of the series. they appear to not have much depth behind their big three (we hope)
Antony says: It looks like that's what Clarke is trying to do at the moment. The South African bowlers really do look tired.
1642: FOUR! Crunched! Another glorious cover drive from Hussey, gee that's good to watch. That was too full and too wide from Steyn - he's looking a bit tired at the moment. Australia are now just 100 runs behind South Africa. AUS 4-350
1639: FOUR! The luck just isn't going the Proteas' way at the moment. Hussey plays a forward defensive shot, the ball catches the edge and runs between second slip and gully all the way along the gorund to the boundary. To make mattters worse, it was a no-ball. AUS 4-345
1636: Mark Fletcherton says: Is this series going to be Clarke v Amla top 2012 scorer?, could become interesting.
Antony says: It's certainly looking that way at the moment. Those two are in rare form.
1634: CLOSE! Morkel almost cuts Clarke in half with a great ball that goes between bat and body and bounces over the stumps, but it's spoiled by the fact it's called a no-ball. There was even a hint of an inside edge, but it wouldn't have counted.
1631: FOUR! Morkel bangs in another short one and this time Hussey plays it deliberately in the air and over the slips cordon for four. Nice touch there from Hussey, who has moved on to 21. AUS 4-336
1628: CLOSE! Almost another run out there. Hussey plays it to gully and Clarke takes off for a very risky single, but Hussey stumbles! He would have been short at the non-strikers end by a few metres but the throw missed the stumps.
1627: FOUR! Hussey plays a beuatiful cover drive off Philander that goes along the floor all the way to the long boundary. Classic shot. AUS 4-331
1625: beeso has the last word on Phil Hughes: Hughes would have to get lucky 20 times, the man has more edges than installation art.
Antony says: "More edges than installation art"? Now that's a creative sledge.
1621: CLOSE! Another beauty from Morkel that beats Hussey all ends up. When Morkel lands it in the right spot, the ball is almost impossible to hit - in some ways, the ball is too good!
1619: FOUR! That's vintage Hussey. Philander drops fractionally short and Hussey is onto the back foot in a flash and playing a beautiful late cut that pierces the fieldsmen in the gully. AUS 4-325
1616: CLOSE! Morkel finishes his over with a ripper delivery that moves slightly away from Hussey and beats the bat. 13 runs off the over, but it actually wasn't a bad one from Morkel.
1613: FOUR! That's a more conventional boundary, as Hussey plays a lofted cut shot for four off the bowling of Morkel. AUS 4-316
1611: FOUR! Wow, that's another lucky escape for Clarke. Morkel bowled a great bouncer that seemed to follow Clarke as he tried to get out the way, and the ball catches the edge of Clarke's bat and goes just over de Villiers at 'keeper and races to the boundary. Clarke doesn't look to comfortable against the short stuff from Morkel. AUS 4-333
1607: APPEAL! Well, that's a bit odd, Clarke appears to play and miss but Philander is convinced he's got the edge. The keeper and slips don't seem too convinced, but Philander is extremely confident and eventually Graeme Smith calls for the REVIEW. It's not a no-ball, but unfortunately for South Africa, it's not an edge either. Not out.
1604: We're ready to go at the Gabba, and it will be Philander to bowl to Clarke to get us started in the final session.
1600: With the players returning to the field for the final session, Pete L says: Will the Aussies declare soon and make a game of it. Surely if we bat till close the only result will be a draw.
Antony says: A draw will be the likely result if Australia bat out the day, but it would be a pretty gutsy call for Clarke to declare. He is a very positive captain though!
1553: The Call of the Wild says: funny how cowan is supposedly a slowcoach and yet his strikerate is higher than clarke.
Antony says: He definitely took a far more positive approach into this Test. I wonder if he'll be similar to Justin Langer, who started out as a slowcoach No.3 and ended up being a dashing opener.
1549: With the players having their tea break, Mark continues the discussion around Phil Hughes: To be fair and stupid, Hughes does have more centuries against the Saffers.
Antony says: Fair and stupid? That's basically my motto!
1544: TEA (AUS 4-305, Clarke 125*, Hussey 1*) So that's tea on day four, after another session dominated by Australia's batsmen. Ed Cowan is desperately unlucky not to still be there, but with Michael Clarke still at the crease, the Aussies will be feeling quite comfortable.
1541: Chandler of Brisbane has a difference of opinion with Lewis of Macksville: Lewis of Macksville get over it. clearly you are wrong because Cowan is the better option, because we needed someone to build an innings to get us out of a hole. i doubt hughes would have.
1538: APPEAL! Morkel strikes Hussey in the pad and goes up for a half-hearted appeal. Replays show the ball was going over the top, and down leg side as well.
1534: That brings Mr Cricket, Mike Hussey, to the crease. Can he halt his bad run against the world's best bowling attack?
1531: WICKET (Cowan 136, run out Steyn, AUS 4-299) That is so unlucky for Cowan, he has been almost flawless today and didn't look like getting out. Well, South Africa will be very pleased with that breakthrough.
1530: APPEAL! Clarke smashes it straight back down the pitch and Steyn gets a finger on it, and it cannons into the stumps. Has Cowan been caught short? The umpire asks for a look from upstairs. And he's out!
1529: CLOSE! Steyn bowls a wide one and Clarke takes a wild swipe at it. Luckily for the Australian skipper, he missed it.
1523: After just two overs with the new ball, Morkel replaces Philander. The bowling changes are coming thick and fast now.
1520: Lewis of Macksville says: Cowan got lucky twice in his innings, Hughes is still a better option.
Antony says: Oh Lewis. You sure are optimistic.
1519: FOUR! Another short and wide wone from Steyn, and Cowan plays an edgy late cut through gully for four. AUS 3-296
1516: 250 PARTNERSHIP! Cowan plays a nice clip off his pads for three, bringing up the 250 partnership between he and Clarke. AUS 3-289
1515: As Philander comes back into the attack, John of Ipswich says: Fantastic effort by Cowan and Punter. I would get Khawaja in for the second test to further strengthen our top order.
Antony says: With Cowan suring up his spot and Watson possibly fit again, I think it's unlikely there will be any changes to the batting line-up for the second Test short of Watson replacing Quiney.
1511: Dave from Orange says: Why in gods name declare? Bat for as long as possible - get the mental disintegration thing going! Keep them out there until after lunch tomorrow, let the bowlers have a crack at the South African batsmen on a 5th day (sorta) pitch with nothing to play for. Hopefully the bowlers grab a few moral lifting wickets and then off to Adelaide with the wind in out sails.
1509: That's the end of Jacques Kallis for now, with Dale Steyn coming back into the attack.
1507: Clarke rocks onto the back foot and plays a lovely late cut off a short one from Smith, and gets three runs for his troubles. AUS 3-283
1501: Graeme Smith is back with his off-spinners now.
1458: Mark from BrisVegas says: To answer your question, I would not declare if I were Clarke. It is pie in the sky to think we could bowl SAF out for 100, already giving them a 200 lead. Smith isn't going to make it a fair fight anyway, why would he? They only need to draw the series to win it, so if he then declared, it would be when they have no chance of losing. This is all valuable time in the middle for these guys against the best bowling attack in world cricket, it is not going to waste.
Antony says: I tend to agree Mark, but I suppose Clarke has been keen to prove how attacking he is as a captain, so maybe he'll go for it.
1454: FOUR! And just to rub salt into the wound for poor old Rory Kleinveldt, Clarke hits a late cut for four two balls later. AUS 3-274
1452: DROPPED! Steyn has dropped Cowan! The Aussie batsman went for another big pulla nd this time he skied it after getting a top edge. Fine leg Steyn was coming around to catch it, but he always seemed to be put off by Jacques Rudolph, who was also thinking about going for it, and in the end Steyn barely got a finger on it.
1446: As the players return from a drinks break, shall we return to the debate over whether or not Australia should declare? Would you do so if you were Michael Clarke?
1443: HUNDRED! Clarke FINALLY brings up his ton by running a ball into the gully and scampering through for a single. Gee, he's been in some rare form over the past year. AUS 3-264
1439: The partnership between Clarke and Cowan is now the record fourth-wicket stand in a Test between Australia and South Africa, bettering the 219 between Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince.
1436: Kallis comes back for another bowl. As he does, take this email in from Edward Morgan: Is it not time that the selectors got the monkey off Clarke's back and drop Ricky Ponting, he must be the only ex-captain that insists on hanging around and always wants the limelight. He is a spent force. He's had his day let Clarke be the Great captain he will be without Ponting looking over his shoulder.
Antony says: That's strong stuff, Edward! From all reports, Clarke and Ponting get on very well and Clarke enjoys having someoneso experienced to turn to.
1434: Clarke moves on to 99. He tucks one down to fine leg and dashes off, and is thinking of coming back for a second run before wisely deciding to stay put. He would have come close to running himself out if he went for that one! AUS 3-260
1431: FOUR! Another pull shot from Cowan, after yet another short ball from Steyn. Surely they're going to learn their lesson soon? AUS 3-258
Speaking of Cowan, Julian Butterworth says: Well done to Ed Cowan a test century against the best attack in the world not a second rate Indian attack.
1428: Clarke gets a single off Steyn to move along to 98. He's edging ever closer to another hundred. Now Cowan plays a good cover drive for two. AUS 3-254
1426: FOUR! Another glorious cover drive from Cowan off Morkel, all the way along the carpet. That was a bit reminiscent of Justin Langer, says my foxsports.com.au colleague Ben Glover. AUS 3-251
1424: Check out the fantastic pic below of Cowan after reaching his ton. A special moment for any cricketer.
1421: CLOSE! That's the third time Clarke has got into trouble trying to play the little paddle around the corner from a short ball. The ball wasn't far away from the edge there.
1418: Dale Steyn comes back into the attack now. Can he get the crucial breakthrough for South Africa?
1415: Double mis-field! Oh dear, that's sloppy stuff in the field from the Proteas, with first Hashim Amla and then Morne Morkel missing the ball after Clarke had pushed it into the covers, and the batsmen end up getting two. Clarke on 97 now. AUS 3-245
1409: rafeek of peakhurst says: with Australia's run rate always being above South Africa's, if they say scored around another 130 today, could send in South Africa to bat have them to try score quick runs to set Australia a target for the win. If Clarke did declare when Australia are say about 100 runs behind, South Africa score around 200 and declare, could set up a one dayer run chase in theory.
Antony says: That would be very exciting indeed! Not sure if it will actually happen, but we can only hope!
1405: 200 PARTNERSHIP! Clarke moves to 94 and that brings up another milestone in a fabulous partnership.
1402: CHANCE! And there's a mix-up. Cowan is very nearly run out for 106 after Clarke turns down a quick single. A direct hit from mid on and Cowan was gone by a mile!
1400: The century will mean all the more to Cowan, given he's brought it up on the one year anniversary of Peter Roebuck's death. Roebuck is a former coach of Cowan's and the opener has spoken about the profound influence the famous cricket writer had on his development.
1353: FOUR! Morkel drops short and Clarke turns it round the corner, and it runs away to the boundary at fine leg. Clarke on 82 now. FOUR! and another one from Clarke, this time a cut short from yet another short ball. The Proteas are bowling way too short at the moment. FOUR! And another boundary from Clarke, this time a cover drive from a full ball. Pup is into the 90s now AUS 3-235
1349: FOUR! HUNDRED! There it is, Ed Cowan's first hundred in Test cricket, and it really has been a superb innings. Cowan brings it up with a pull shot off a short ball from Philander that races to the square leg boundary. Well played Ed. That came off 185 balls by the way - not too shabby. AUS 3-219
1346: Cowan is on strike now, facing up to Vernon Philander. How long until he goes for the two runs he needs to get his hundred??
1342: The players are back, and it's Morne Morkel to bowl to Michael Clarke.
1341: OK, that's all we've got time for with our special guest Ryan Harris. Thanks to everyone that sent in their questions - sorry if we didn't get to yours - and a HUGE thank you to Ryan for taking time out of his day to join us!
Cricket critic of Brisbane asks: What do you make of your young QLD Bulls teammate Cameron Gannon? Do you think he will start to get looked at as a serious prospect?
Ryan Harris says: He's a very good prospect. He came into the squad about two years ago, so he's got some good fitness and strength under his belt, and it's only made him better. When I first came in he was only a sort of medium-pacer, but the two years of work he's had have seen him put a lot of muscle on. He's bowling good pace, he's consistent with his line and length and he's swinging the ball around as well, so he's a massive prospect. He just needs a good full season of first-class cricket, and if he's successful there, then who knows after that.
Cheeky Cameron of North Shore asks: Who's the worst Australian to room with on tour?
Ryan Harris: That's a tough one, because we don't share rooms anymore! But if I was to choose someone I wouldn't want to room with, I'd probably say James Pattinson. There are a few reasons I probably shouldn't name! I just think he'd be annoying all the time, I don't think he'd sleep much!
AshMan of Canberra asks: When will we see you in a Baggy Green again, Ryan?
Ryan Harris says: For me at the moment, it's just about getting back to bowling in a game of cricket, whether it's for my grade side or for Queensland. I want to play as much as I can and in as many forms as I can for Australia, but for me at the moment, it's just about getting that fitness back and having a bowl. I figure if I get back playing for Queensland, whenever that is, and I'm bowling well, then the national stuff will take care of itself. They'll pick me if I'm bowling well enough, but with the guys that are there now, our stocks at the moment are pretty good. Once you get an injury you get knocked down the pecking order, and I'm back down the bottom.
BigMouth the beast of Geelong asks: I want to see you bowling again soon big fella! How is the rehab from surgery coming along?
Ryan Harris says: I'm aiming for the start of the Big Bash League, but that's probably going to be pushing it. It's looking more like the third or fourth game in. The rehab's going very slow to be honest – it's giving me the s--ts! It's been a bit frustrating, but it's something that has to be taken slow, otherwise if you rush it you can potentially lead to another bout of surgery that could put me out for six more months. It's a very slow process, but if we get this right, I will be back in a month's time.
Catherine S of Brisbane asks: Will Brisbane Heat improve on last season's performance? I want to see you guys win it this year!
Ryan Harris says: I think making the final this year is the minimum requirement for us. We showed some good signs last year but didn't do well enough to make the final. We've got together a very good squad, we'll have Steyn for one game, but we'll also have Kemar Roach, Dan Vettori, Dan Christian's coming back, Mitchell Johnson's come on board, so along with the guys we already have such as myself, James Hopes, Ben Cutting and Alistair McDermott, we've got a really good squad together. We want to be in that final and hopefully winning the whole competition.
T20 lover of Toowoomba asks: Dale Steyn will be your teammate for one game in the Big Bash League - how excited are you to play alongside him for Brisbane Heat?
Ryan Harris says: I can't wait to share the dressing room with him. I've caught up with him in the IPL, but not played in the same team, so it's going to be a great thrill to play with the leading bowler in the world. It'll be great just to see how he goes about what he does, and hopefully I'll be able to pick his brains over a couple of things. We're very lucky to have him for that game. From what I've heard from Darren Lehmann, who coached him in the IPL, he is the ultimate professional.
Oz E Battler of Hobart asks: What is Michael Clarke like as a leader, both on the field and in the dressing room?
Ryan Harris says: He's a very good leader, and a very attacking one as well. He gives you the confidence to do whatever you want to do. He gives you the confidence as a bowler to set your fields, and if he disagrees with you, he'll tell you and do what he wants to do, basically. His batting record has been unbelievable since he's taken over the captaincy, I'd love to see what he's averaging since taking over. It's great to see him continue to score runs. He really enjoys the challenge of being captain and he's definitely leading from the front.
1321: We're lucky to be joined by injured Aussie, Brisbane Heat and Queensland paceman RYAN HARRIS during lunch to answer your questions.
First up is Jason of Macarthur, who asks: What have you made of Ed Cowan's innings?
Ryan Harris says: For him to show the patience, but still play his natural game and play to his strengths, it's been good. He's shown a lot of maturity to be able to still score runs in that situation. I haven't been surprised by his success – he's a very good player. Hopefully he gets his 100, because it will be very well deserved.
1304: LUNCH (AUS 3-214, Cowan 98*, Clarke 78*) Well that's lunch on day four, as Cowan blocks out the rest of the over to stay on 98. That was a great session for Australia, with Clarke and Cowan batting smartly to get their side back into the game. We'll have Ryan Harris answering your questions in just a few minutes, so be sure to send in any last minute questions you have for the big man!
1302: BONDIROOSTER of sydney says: i hope cowan gets his century before lunch!!
1301: CLOSE! Oh dear, there was almost a run out there! Cowan pushed the ball to the covers and called yes immediately, even though it went straight to the fielder! Luckily, Clarke scrambled back to his crease and the throw missed the stumps anyway.
1259: Philander comes in to bowl the last over before lunch. Clarke starts off with a cut shot for three, bringing Cowan onto strike. AUS 3-213
1258: FOUR! Cowan moves on to 98! That was a bit lucky though, he tries to hook a short one from Morkel, got a top edge and the ball runs away behind the keeper for four. On second inspection, that looks like it's come off his helmet, but the runs are still awarded to him! AUS 3-210
1256: CLOSE! That was an awkward one for Clarke. Morkel bowls another good bouncer and Clarke plays a half block, half attempted flick around the corner, and it cannons into Clarke's glove and then shoulder. Thankfully for the Aussie skipper, the ball falls safely.
1250: Just ten minutes until the lunch break, and Cowan is on 93. Will he try pass the milestone before the end of the session, or show the patience that he's renowned for? Philander into the attack now.
1247: Not long until our chat with Queensland and Australia paceman Ryan Harris. SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS NOW!
1244: Some very optimistic people are suggesting Australia could potentially declare some time today in order to try get a result. That would be a very, very brave move from Clarke - what do you think?
1243: FOUR! Clarke smashes Smith down the ground with a powerful off-drive. Smith isn't looking too threatening here. AUS 3-204
1241: FOUR! Cowan plays a nice late cut that races to the boundary after beating the man at gully. Cowan onto 92 now! AUS 3-198
1239: SHOT! Cowan plays a beautiful cover drive off Steyn but it is stopped short of the boundary by the man on the fence, and the batsmen take three. Cowan moves on to 88. AUS 3-193
1237: bat pad specialist stands up for Nathan Lyon: Lyon bowls with a lot more flight and dip than Clarke. His record is a lot better and he's a young player who's going to improve more and more. South Africa are already in trouble in this innings not having a specialist spinner.
1235: Cowan sneaks a single off Smith to bring up the 150 partnership. AUS 3-190
1231: Mark of BrisVegas says: What we are seeing with a lack of cricket talent coming though (and to a point, a drop off in success at the Olympics) can be partly (and I think largely) attributed to the rise of the AFL and its rich talent identification program. There are many guys kicking the Sherrin around on the MCG that in previous decades would be bowling 140kmh with a Baggy Green on his head, or wielding a bat. Don't doubt for a second what an impact the AFL has had on all sports and their ability to keep elite talent in their ranks.
Antony says: A very good point, Mark. One needs only to look at the song and dance the cricket fraternity did when Alex Keith, a young Victorian who is both a very talented cricketer and rising AFL star, chose the bat and ball over the Sherrin.
1226: FOUR! Smith bowls a genuine long-hop and Cowan pulls it to the mid-wicket boundary. AUS 3-184
1225: CLOSE! Dale Steyn, who replaced Jacques Kallis in the bowling attack, bowls a wicked bouncer to Clarke that the Australia skipper blocks off the very top of his blade. It was in the air for a while but dropped safely.
1220: Mark says: Ponting's first duck in years and people want him gone. Unbelievable. People seem to forget that Ponting scored a lot of centuries last summer and yet Warner didn't against the same sides.
Antony says: I agree people are being a tad harsh on Ponting, but I think you're forgetting Warner's 180 against India at the WACA last summer.
1217: Graeme Smith has brought himself on to bowl! Wow, can't say I saw that one coming! Smith will bowl his gentle off spin in a Test for the first time since 2007.
1213: Cowan plays a nice cover drive off Kallis that picks up two runs, and that takes him on to 75 - his highest score in Test cricket. AUS 3-171
1210: CLOSE! Clarke gets a thick edge off a late drive but it goes all the way along the ground, stopping just short of the boundary, and he gets two runs. AUS 3-169
1207: Gus of Sydney asks: If Australia were to have a almighty collapse, what would we need to avoid a follow on? Either way this game heading strongly in direction of a draw.. anyone else think otherwise?
Antony says: 251 is the magic number for Australia, and they look well on track to passing that now.
1203: WIDE! Kleinveldt bangs one in short - too short, in fact, and it is called a wide after sailing over Clarke's head. The big man has bowled well in patches today but looks to be a bit too impatient.
1200: Bring Back the Leg Spin! of Sydney says: Good point Kendog. Although it would be nicer to have a better spinner then Lyons. I miss you Shane Warne and Macgill. If only you two were not born in the same generation and we could have watched both of you one after another. :(
1157: CLOSE! Clarke goes for a big cover drive off Kallis, and misses it completely. A bit of a wild stroke from Pup.
1156: Cricket Tragic of Sydney says: Antony, to be fair, Lyon's two wicket were not so much his good bowling but instead poor shots from the batsman
Antony says: They definitely were poor shots from the batsmen, but the craft of a spinner is being able to induce those poor shots. Even the great Shane Warne took many, many wickets from batsmen trying to hit him out the park. But I do take your point - Lyon doesn't really look like 'bamboozling' any of the Proteas batsmen.
1152: OOPS! Clarke drives one to mid-off and takes off for a single, Dale Steyn runs in to gather the ball but takes an almighty slip, misses the ball completely and the batsmen run three. AUS 3-160
1148: As we go to the drinks break, consider this stat, brought to my attention by my foxsports.com.au colleague Simon Dixon: The last six times Michael Clarke has reached 50, he has made the following scores: 73, 210, 329*, 139, 151, 112. Do with that what you will.
1144: CLOSE! Kleinveldt offers a full and wide one, Cowan goes for the big cover drive but misses it - and not by much. Looks like Jacques Kallis is going to have a bowl for the first time in this Test.
1142: Nick of Brisbane says: What ever happened to Dan Christian? great lower order batsman and can bowl with good shape.
Antony says: Christian is very much part of Australia's one-day and T20 teams, but I think Test cricket is a stretch too far for him at the moment. Needs to greatly improve in one of the disciplines to reach Test level.
1138: The runs have dried up a bit here - just two off the last three overs. South Africa are bowling a lot outside off, and Cowan and Clarke are happy to leave.
1133: Kendog of Newcastle says: Following on Mad Mick's comment, I think Clarke's bowling is just as (if not more) dangerous than Lyon's. I think we should leave a spinner out and fill the position with a batsman or quick with Clarke to bowl spin when needed. Currently our strength is our young quicks and batsmen pushing for that test spot and I believe we should play to this.
Antony says: I agree Clarke is underrated as a spinner, but I think his dodgy back means he's quite restricted in how many overs he can bowl. Perhaps not enough to repalce a full-time spinner.
1130: Just a quick reminder to send in your questions NOW for Ryan Harris, who will be our special guest at lunch. Shoot us an email at blogs@foxsports.com.au or leave a comment at the bottom of the page.
1126: BONDIROOSTER of sydney disagrees with Daka of NQ: Clarke should not be batting at 3!! With Australia's top order consistently failing why would you want him exposed to the new ball in the first 5 overs! Clarke is a great number 5 he had a stint at 4 which wielded an average of something like 30, at 5 the bloke scores triple centuries lol.
1123: FIFTY! Clarke brings up his 50 with a drive for two past point. He and Cowan have laid a very nice foundation. CLOSE! Wow and the very next ball he gets another leading edge that goes way up in the air and only just clears the fielder at mid-on. He was very nearly out there. AUS 3-147
1120: Rory Kleinveldt comes into the attack in place of Philander. He'll be looking for an improved performance after yesterday's shaky showing. His first delivery is a no-ball - not a great start.
1118: Mad Mick of Canberra says: I saw pictures of the GABBA wicket the day prior to the test, looked at the forecast and automatically thought four quicks, Nathan Lyon is not Shane Warne and should only play on grounds that have a dry and deterioarating surface in tests that will go five days...Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne. Nathan Lyon bareley bowled on day one (fair enough)and bowled unthreateningly on the third day only to buy a wicket, he wouldn't trouble a Brisbane grade cricketer on this wicket.
Antony says: Obviously Lyon is no Shane Warne, but I think he did a reasonable job in the conditions in Brisbane. Yes, he went for a few runs, but that's what spinners have to do if they want to take wickets, and he took two of them - the same amount as Hilfenhaus and Siddle. The temptation to go after Lyon is what brought Alviro Petersen unstuck.
1112: CLOSE! Clarke gets a leading edge when trying to turn a ball from Philander onto the leg side, and it balloons over the fielder at point. Lucky. That also brings up the 100 partnership.
1111: FOUR! Good comeback from Cowan there, Morkel pitches up and the Aussie opener drives it straight back down the ground. AUS 3-139
1108: CLOSE! That's a rip-snorter from Morkel, it's angled in to Cowan and then moves away off the seam, beating the batsman all ends up.
1106: Morne Morkel comes into the attack in place of Steyn. Morkel was the destroyer for South Africa yesterday - can he do the same today?
1102: Daka of NQ: Clarke should be batting 3 in this line up. He was in rare form last summer and has looked very good this innings thus far, also.
Antony says: Not sure if Clarke is too keen on that option - if he happens to have a bad day and is back in the sheds early, then it does leave our batting lineup looking particularly thin.
1058: FOUR! Another crisp drive from Clarke races to the straight boundary, this time off the bowling of Steyn. AUS 3-133
1052: FOUR! Wow that was very, very lucky for Cowan. He was going to block a ball from Steyn but at the last minute tried to leave it, but it was too late! The ball clips the bottom of the bat and was nearly dragged back onto the stumps. In the end it beat the 'keeper and made it all the way to the rope. AUS 3-128
1049: CLOSE! Clarke plays and misses to a straight one from Philander. That was a bit of a sloppy stroke.
1046: Bowling man says: the aussies are over the hill time to move on the older guys and get fresh young blood. Is the state comp working or is it just a dud?
Antony says: I think the state comp is working - we're still churning out quality players, some of whom are ready for Test cricket straight away, some who aren't quite there yet. The difference is the number of Test quality players we're producing compared to 10 or 15 years ago - in my opinion those years were anomalies and will be hard to replicate ever again.
1044: FOUR! Clarke clips a ball from Philander off his pads and it stops just short of the boundary, but the batsmen run four anyway. That was all timing from Clarke - he hardly hit it. AUS 3-124
1038: mike of syd says: will Clarke or Cowan get 100?? .....Im surprised Australia has reached 100.
Antony says: I think that's a "no" from Mike.
1036: It's Vernon Philander to take up the bowling from the other end.
1034: FOUR! Beautiful shot from Clarke there, Steyn pitches up and the Aussie skipper hits it all the way along the ground to the straight boundary. AUS 3-116
1032: FIFTY! Ed Cowan brings up his half-century with a push off his pads for a single on the leg side. That's a good innings from Cowan, one to prove the doubters wrong, but he'll definitely need to kick on now to helps hsi side avoid a loss. AUS 3-112
1030: OK we're ready to go at the Gabba, and it's Dale Steyn bowling to Ed Cowan.
1028: There's a bit of cloud cover in Brisbane, but all the weather reports we're reading tell us we should get a full day's cricket in today.
1025: Cricket Tragic of Sydney: Hey Antony, I just wanted to know your opinion on Nathan Hauritz and Trent Copeland? As i would replace Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Lyon with those two.
Antony says: I have to say I was a fan of Copeland when he shot into the Test team for the series in Sri Lanka. Line and length is something that can often go astray with our current attack. However, he's fallen well back in the queue and while he's been in decent form in the Sheffield Shield, he hasn't exactly been banging the door down for Test selection. He'll need a stack more wickets before he jumps ahead of the likes of Starc, Bird and Cutting. As for Hauritz, he'll also need to really impress at Shield level before he gets another look in at Tests. He was given a solid run in the Test side, and to be honest I think Lyon has outshone Hauritz since the South Australian joined the international arena.
1017: We're seeing some pictures of South Africa's opening batsman, Alviro Petersen, rolling his arm over in the warm up. I wonder if we'll see him have a bowl in JP Duminy's absence.
1011: So what is everyone's prediction for day four? Will Australia still be batting at the end of the day? Will Cowan or Clarke reach 100? Let us know what you think.
1005: Just a reminder that we'll have a special treat at the lunch break, with Brisbane Heat, Queensland and Australia paceman Ryan Harris joining us for a live chat! Make sure you get your questions in for Ryan now, by emailing blogs@foxposrts.com.au or leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
1000: Welcome back to foxsports.com.au's LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the first Test between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba. Antony Pinshaw with you for what should prove to be a pivotal day four, with Australia fighting desperately to save the Test match. Michael Clarke and Ed Cowan will resume with the score on 3-111, and no doubt their first target will be 250, the score they'll need to avoid the follow-on.
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