Ponting, Hughes propel Aussies

---

Tea Australia 352 and 203 for 1 (Hughes 86*, Ponting 78*) lead South Africa 138 (Duminy 73*, Johnson 3-25) by 417 runs

Ricky Ponting was said to be presiding over a crumbling empire prior to this series, but the walls of Rome are holding fast.

The captain added a new chapter to his side's astonishing tale of revival with an imperious 78 not out that guided Australia to 203 for 1 at tea, holding an over all lead of 417. The once marauding South Africans are now in retreat.

As in their golden age, the Australians were merciless in their pursuit of an ailing opponent. Ponting and Phillip Hughes propelled the Australian second innings at a spirited pace throughout the middle session, and experienced few problems in negating a surface that, just a day ago, had completely confounded the host team.

South Africa's highly-rated attack scarcely looked like penetrating the batsmen's defences.

Hughes revealed Australia's ruthless intent in the over after lunch. The rookie left-hander blasted a pair of boundaries that took him past 50 for the third time in his four Test innings; a remarkable achievement for a 20-year-old playing just his second full season of first class cricket. Hughes was approaching 300 runs for the series entering the tea break - well clear of the pack - and had done so at an average nearing 100. -Cricinfo