South Africa 251/5 at tea, trail by 194 runs

Mark Boucher slammed a defiant half-century to recover South Africa after they were reduced to 251-5 at tea on the third day of the third and final Test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground here on Monday.

Mitchell Johnson struck twice in the morning within half an hour after game began. Johnson scalped Jacques Kallis for 37 and made a brilliant run-out of de Villiers. Soon after, debutant Andrew McDonald dealt another blow to claim his maiden wicket. He trapped overnight batsman Hasim Amla leg before. A dogged half-century from Amla was the only achievement of the visitors in the morning, before they were reduced to 176-4 at lunch.

After the exits of danger men Kallis, Amla and de Villiers, the Proteas were pushed to the backfoot. However, Australia did not get much success in the middle session except the wicket of J P Duminy who fell prey to Johnson, too. South Africa were 251-5 at tea.

Mark Boucher and Morne Morkel, playing cautiously in the middle, have denied Australia any more success so far. Boucher has already slammed a defiant half-century as Morkel is nearing the mark.

However, with the pitch showing large cracks and serious deterioration, a second innings comeback by South Africa, in reply to Australia's 445 in the first innings, looks to be an uncomfortable proposition.