Gibbs guides SA close to victory

One of the things Steve Waugh wanted to change when he assumed the Test captaincy was Australia's habit of losing "dead rubber" Tests after a series victory had already been achieved. According to Waugh, every Test should be given equal importance, and in six series under his leadership Australia has never lost a so-called "dead rubber."

Now, that could be about to change after South Africa overcame a collapse to be within 71 runs of a consolation victory. Six wickets separates Australia from 6-0 whitewash of South Africa in this season's Tests.

With South Africa chasing on a day three pitch, whatever extra runs Waugh and the tail could muster in the first session were going to be invaluable. Waugh and Lee added a further 27 until Ntini terminated the innings at 186, leaving South Africa chasing 335 for victory.

Waugh had reached 42 when he flashed at a wide delivery from Ntini, the edge brilliantly held by Kallis in one hand at second slip diving to his right. Lee, earlier dropped by Terbrugge when he spooned a catch to mid off, remained not out when Ntini cleaned up McGrath first ball, comprehensively beaten by a full delivery that uprooted off stump.

Thus the fourth innings run chase incongruously began on the morning of day three. South Africa had not scored in the third over when McGrath struck Gibbs on the pad shouldering arms to one that cut back off the seam. It was difficult to see how the ball could have either missed the stumps or travelled over the top but umpire Orchard ruled in the batsman's favour. Next ball, Gibbs nicked short of Gilchrist, and the first runs off the bat did not arrive until the sixth over.

Despite those initial moments of anxiety, Gibbs and Kirsten were quite solid and in control of the bowling, providing South Africa with an ideal start by progressing to lunch at 54/0 from 20 overs.

With South Africa enjoying the best of the batting conditions after the recklessness of day two, Australia needed to build pressure by bowling in partnerships. They failed to do this, as Shane Warne showed signs that he may have been carrying residual affects from his 70-over workload in the second innings of the second Test.

Warne lacked his typical control, providing too many short pitched balls from which Gibbs and Kirsten scored freely. Gibbs played his most impressive hand of the series, responsibly maintaining an even-tempered pace and eschewing his earlier indiscriminate shots, while Kirsten laid anchor at the other end.

Against this secure pairing, the Australians tried to manufacture a spark, but neither opener looked like succumbing as they gradually moved South Africa into the favoured position. For Australia to win, Warne had to improve in support of the quick men, and at 94/0 he struck Gibbs on the front foot with a straight one. Beaten by the drift, Gibbs was forward and again received the benefit of the doubt in a close call.

Kirsten raised the century partnership by hooking McGrath forward of square and with frustration beginning to set in, Australia were in need of inspiration. Gillespie bowled with commendable determination but was not rewarded, either beating the edge or seeing edges travel to third man. Needing to both take wickets and restrict scoring, Waugh elected not to employ a third man and it proved costly on several occasions.

Clearly, Kirsten would have batted through the entirety of the innings if Australia did not dislodge him, fulfilling his opener's role to perfection. A bowling change and an error of judgement by Gibbs provided breakthrough after an opening stand of 142.

Gibbs turned a full ball from Lee to Martyn at mid wicket, Kirsten responded to the call, and was left stranded in the middle as confusion reigned. There was not a run available and Lee reacted superbly to get back and hold Martyn 's hard and low throw, his momentum carrying him into the stumps and sending all three sprawling. It was Gibbs' fault; Kirsten dismissed for 64 and the Australians were handed a reprieve.

Still, wickets were desperately required and the Australians were still waiting for inspiration. There signs of reverse swing around the 55 over mark, with McGrath nearly yorking Gibbs on 96. For South Africa to win, one batsman needed to stand up and make a century, and that batsman was Gibbs. His even-paced knock kept the Aussies at bay and with a streaky Smith, a possibly match-winning partnership was forming.

Close to defeat, Steve Waugh turned to Mark Waugh's off-spin out of desperation, and in his second over he made the breakthrough. Waugh dragged the ball down, Smith launched into a pull and skied the ball directly upwards for Gilchrist to hold. At 216/2, the tourists had a lifeline, and they seized it.

All that remained for Gibbs to do was to bat out the day. On 104, he had his first and last moment of rashness. Gibbs advanced to Waugh, was beaten in flight, and his intended shot over long on was dragged square. Martyn, seemingly involved in all crucial moments in the field, ran from deep mid wicket to hold a difficult running catch along the boundary. Mark Waugh had his second wicket in two overs and at 218/3, South Africa were suddenly under immense pressure.

Neil McKenzie succumbed to it. On 4, a tentative McKenzie gingerly attempted to pull a turning ball from Warne outside off, got a top edge, and Hayden held a difficult catch running back from mid wicket. At 232/4, the collapse was on, and the Aussies knew it. Ashwell Prince should have been run out at the same score backing up too far, but the throw to the bowler's end just missed. Prince then somehow avoided being bowled attempting to pull a delivery from Waugh that was too full.

With Warne cheerleading, Lee returned and Waugh continued. All the while, the experienced Kallis remained cool and composed, still hitting the loose balls to the boundary and seemingly impervious to the pressure. Lee could not disturb him, even when the new ball was taken with three overs remaining, and thanks to Kallis' composure the collapse seemed to have passed.

As South Africa's experienced batsman, Kallis is the key to victory or defeat on the morning of day four.