3rd Test: Australia strike after tea as Petersen goes

3rd Test: Australia strike after tea as Petersen goes

Perth: Sensational bowling by paceman Dale Steyn and a gutsy effort by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson helped South Africa bowling out Australia for 163, taking a 62-run lead on day two of the third Test in Perth on Saturday. South Africa were 24 for 0 in their second innings at tea, with Alviro Petersen batting on 21 and Graeme Smith on 2.

Steyn picked up 4 for 40, while peterson got 3 for 44 as the hosts' innings was folded in the second session. Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel also contributed with 2 for 55 and 1 for 19 respectively. Matthew Wade (68) scored an attacking fifty, but couldn't get support from others, except John Hastings, who was the last man to depart. 

Wade checked his attacking instincts a bit as he, along with Hastings, took Australia forward in the session after lunch before he lost his focus and was bowled by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson for 68. Mitchell Johnson (7) too was tempted to go for a big heave and was bowled in a similar fashion. Alviro Petersen took a sharp catch of Hastings at the long-off fence to give Peterson his third wicket.

Earlier, Wade took the hosts to 118 for 7 at lunch on day two, in reply to South Africa's 225. Wade joined Michael Hussey with the Aussies tottering at 45 for 6 and both added 55 crucial runs. Hussey's innings of 12 runs was ended by Morne Morkel as the batsman edged one straight through to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers. Wade and John Hastings (2) batted with great care to make sure the hosts didn't lose another wicket.

Earlier in the day, Dale Steyn ran through the Australian to order to put the tourists on top. Steyn removed David Warner (13), Nathan Lyon (7) and Michael Clarke (5), while Vernon Philander took the prized scalp of Ricky Ponting (4) early in the morning session to leave the hosts reeling at 45 for 6.

Resuming the day on 33 for 2 at the WACA, the Aussies lost Warner in the second over of the day as he edged a Steyn delivery straight through to wicketkeeper de Villiers. The batsman went for a TV referral and the third umpire upheld the field umpire's decision.

Three balls later Lyon too went back to the pavilion as Faf du Plessis, who scored a 78 not out in the Proteas' innings, took a sharp catch at gulley. Philander then accounted for Ponting, who is playing his last international game. The batsman played forward and was trapped lbw.

Steyn took his fourth wicket in the form of Clarke as the Aussie captain edged one out-swinger straight through to de Villiers.