Australia summoned all the ruthlessness, precision and nous of an ace bowling attack to leave South Africa reeling at 149/6, the follow-on now almost certain, at the end of the fourth day of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
With rain having wiped out all play on the third day and the fourth morning, and Australia declaring an overnight score of 475/4, the Proteas were left with five sessions to survive, a major target of 276.
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But the top order was blown before tea as they collapsed to 37/3, and the middle order’s resistance in the final session was broken as captain Pat Cummins played a skilful, smart and aggressive spell of bowling, using around-the-wicket options superbly.
Temba Bavuma (35) and Khaya Zondo (39) put up some brave resistance as they added 48 for the fourth wicket, and Zondo and Kyle Verreynne (19) added 45 for the fifth wicket.
Marco Jansen (10*) and Simon Harmer (6*) are at the wicket for the Proteas and will try and extend the first innings as long as possible on the final day.
A flawless line
Josh Hazlewood returned to Test action with an immaculate line at a fast pace, and grabbed his second wicket when he removed the tenacious Bavuma, the batsman edging an unnecessary defensive stroke outside the off-stump to the wicketkeeper.
An outstanding yorker from around the wicket by Cummins (14-5-29-3) then accounted for Zondo, trapped lbw, and four overs later, he entered an easy slip catch from Verreynne.
Australian attack, have five sessions to take 20 wickets to win the Test and claim a 3-0 sweep of the series, also guaranteeing themselves a place in the World Test Championship final, they bang on the target from the outset there. .
It made for a torrid time for the Proteas batsmen, especially opener Dean Elgar. The skipper scored 15, but most of the runs were off the edge and he was alive and well, especially when he bowled Hazlewood to Steven Smith at first. Smith dived forward one-handed, but similar to the Marnus Labuschagne / Harmer incident on the first day saw the third referee Richard Kettleborough quite rightly disallow the catch because some part of the ball had hit the ground.
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But Hazlewood dismissed Elgar four overs later when the left-hander got into a tangle against a well-directed lifter on the leg-stump, gloving the catch to the wicketkeeper.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was introduced in eight overs and bowled opener Sarel Erwee for 18 in six overs, the left-hander made a terrible error in judgment and shouldered his arm for delivery directly to the off-stump.
Great use of the short ball again by Australia, this time by Cummins, saw the departure of Heinrich Klaasen (2) in the next over, the glove lifter aimed at the armpit through to the wicketkeeper.