KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has blasted the SCG pitch being used for the third test against Australia, saying he fears falling down the cracks.
Australia eventually took the honours on day three of the dead-rubber match, reaching 33-0 at stumps in their second innings for an overall lead of 151.
Peter Siddle's career-best figures of 5-59 helped Australia bowl the Proteas out for 327.
Boucher top-scored with a typically gutsy 89 before Australia's under-siege opener Matthew Hayden slugged an unbeaten 18 off 23 balls.
"It is in the top three toughest decks that I have played on day three and it is not nice staring down the wicket and making sure you run on the side of the wicket so you don't fall down," Boucher said.
"We can't control that we just have to try and play on it as best we can."
The state of the pitch is playing into Australia's hands with the home side having the runs on the board and hoping for a 300-run advantage by tea on day four, Siddle said.
Dale Steyn had an extremely confident lbw decision against Hayden turned down in the first over of Australia's second innings and Boucher was in no doubt the cricketing Gods were against the tourists.
"I thought it was going to hit middle stump ... but that's me," Boucher said.
The third umpire replay system, to be trialled in South Africa's home test series against Australia next month, could have allowed the bowler to challenge the decision but Hayden lived to fight another day.
"As a cricketer all I want is decisions that are right decisions," Boucher said grimly.
But the wicketkeeper had his good fortune on day three when, on 27, a ball from spinner Nathan Hauritz hit the stumps, causing the bail jump slightly but it didn't fall.
"You need a little bit of luck on a wicket like that today. I had a little bit of luck," Boucher said.
Siddle's spell of 4-7 in 22 balls ended South Africa's courageous fightback from 193-5. Boucher shared a 115-run partnership with tailender Morne Morkel (40) for the sixth wicket.
Captain Graeme Smith - who had retired hurt for 30 on Sunday - did not return to bat and was in Melbourne having a new cast placed on his fractured left hand.
Mitchell Johnson took 2-69 and debutant Doug Bollinger bowled without luck for his 0-78.
Hashim Amla had anchored the innings with his 51 but he was lbw to Victoria's debutant medium-pacer Andrew McDonald (1-41), who claimed his first test wicket at 166-4.
Mitchell Johnson (2-69) took the key wickets of Jacques Kallis (37) and Jean-Paul Duminy (13).
Australia are desperate to avoid a 3-0 whitewash to retain test cricket's top ranking.
"It has deteriorated pretty quickly. It's only day three today and the cracks have opened up a fair bit," Siddle said.
"It's going to get a little bit worse over the next couple of days. Hopefully we can get through the first few sessions and try to build the total a bit."
- AAP