Australia posts huge total, uphill task for South Africa

March 04, 2014 06:50 pm | Updated May 19, 2016 06:17 am IST - CAPE TOWN

David Warner recorded back-to-back centuries in the same match as Australia set South Africa 511 to win the third test on day four at Newlands on Tuesday.

Warner hit four sixes and 13 fours as Australia scored at more than five runs per over in the second innings, allowing captain Michael Clarke to declare with a day and a half remaining in the game.

Kyle Abbott was the only South African to enjoy any real success as he dismissed Warner on the way to figures of 3—61.

Although Dale Steyn returned to the South Africa attack for the first time since incurring a hamstring strain on day one, he bowled just three overs that were hit for 24 runs.

Australia resumed on its overnight total of 27 without loss, and its openers required no time to settle in as Warner and Chris Rogers hit four fours in the first three overs of the day.

That attacking intent was maintained as the pair put on 93 at better than a run a ball until Rogers was found guilty on 39 of ambling through a second run by Steyn’s direct hit from the boundary.

Warner became more subdued when Alex Doolan came to the crease, and Australia scored at less than three runs per over for the remainder of the session, but he opened up again after the lunch break to go to three figures in 124 balls.

After Morne Morkel dismissed Doolan for 37, Shane Watson scored a brisk 25 before falling to Abbott, who followed up by having Michael Clarke caught for a first—ball duck.

Steve Smith smashed 36 not out from 20 deliveries before Clarke called his batsmen in to leave South Africa with a record target.

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