Close Australia 487 for 9 (Langer 85, Hayden 138, S Waugh 90, Donald 3-103) are 210 ahead of South Africa
scorecard

Australia marched into an impregnable position on the third day of the second match of the Test Championship decider series at Melbourne. They piled on 361 runs in the seven-hour day, and inched the lead past 200 in the closing overs. The batting stars were Matthew Hayden, who muscled a powerful 138, and Steve Waugh, who put a bad patch behind him with a compact 90.

The South Africans stuck to their task gamely, and eventually worked their way through to the tail. Allan Donald worked up a fair pace, if a little short of his fastest, and finished with three wickets – but for long periods Shaun Pollock seemed bereft of ideas.

Hayden's was the innings of the day. He motored to his sixth Test century, his fifth of 2001, and passed Bob Simpson's tally of 1381 runs in 1964, the previous Australian record for a calendar year. And Hayden's opening partnership with Justin Langer is threatening to oust Simpson and Bill Lawry as Australia's finest. Today they completed their third double-century stand in eight starts together.

Hayden was in awesome driving form, peppering the V between mid-on and mid-off for most of his 17 fours. Almost his only false stroke was an inside-edge past his stumps off Donald, but he followed that with a chunky hook in front of square.

Langer slowed down a little, but it was still a surprise when he was out for 85. He pulled Donald straight to square leg, where Lance Klusener got into the game at last by plucking the catch almost out of the umpire's pocket (202 for 1).

Ricky Ponting started by straight-driving Donald for four. He and Hayden put on 65 before, in the last over before lunch, Nantie Hayward pinned Ponting with a good bouncer, which he gloved to Pollock at slip (267 for 2).

Hayden fell three balls after lunch, when he lashed Claude Henderson straight to Donald at long-on (267 for 3) – an impetuous end to an impressive innings.

Hayward worked up a fair pace and dug in a few at Steve Waugh. Three fours, two over the slips, came in one hurricane over. And when Donald took the new ball Waugh (24) survived a tough chance to short leg – Boeta Dippenaar dived forward, but took the ball on the wrist and it bobbled away. In Donald's next over Waugh dusted off his rarely used hook for an airy four. And Waugh had reached 39 when Boeta missed the boat again, seemingly losing his footing as the chance hung tantalisingly in mid-air.

Mark Waugh was content to unroll the occasional reminder of his class. There was a saunter down the pitch to Henderson, who was despatched for a two-bounce four over mid-on, and a trademark flick off the legs for four in the first over with the new ball.

Donald eventually separated the twins, bringing one back into Mark's stumps (348 for 4). Donald launched into his trademark aeroplane glide towards the keeper as Waugh taxied off.

Steve Waugh took over after tea. The first ball was thick-edged to the boundary for four, to take the lead past 100 and give him 1000 runs in Tests against South Africa. It was Waugh who squeezed the single that took the total to 400. And he slog-swept Henderson for another four, his 12th, to take the lead to 150.

But then Waugh's nineties hoodoo struck again. He had just reached 90 when Damien Martyn called for an optimistic single off Klusener. The ball bounced nicely for Herschelle Gibbs at point, and his deadeye throw homed in on middle stump (429 for 5). Darrell Hair didn't call for the TV replays, which showed that Boucher's gloves might have dislodged the bails before the ball hit.

It was the tenth time Waugh had got to 90 but failed to make it to 100 in Tests, a record. Two of those were not-outs, though, and Waugh is still one Nervous Ninety away from Michael Slater, who has been dismissed nine times there.

South Africa's bowlers finally got a look-in. Martyn, after a copybook half-century, edged Pollock low to slip, where Jacques Kallis clasped a fast-travelling catch (462 for 6). Martyn had hit four fours, two of them coaching-manual jobs off Kallis – a square-cut and a front-foot square-drive.

Local hero Shane Warne swaggered out, pinched a single, and then top-edged Donald to midwicket, where Gary Kirsten took a simple catch (463 for 7). Brett Lee survived the rest of Donald's over, which included a snorter which grazed the grille.

Lee soon cut Hayward firmly to Neil McKenzie in the gully (470 for 8), then Andy Bichel, after a classical cover-drive first ball, top-edged Pollock to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher (475 for 9).

Adam Gilchrist eased the lead past 200, then smashed Hayward for two more fours in the final over. A royal day's entertainment was over for an appreciative 40,000 crowd.

The Australian batsmen made it all look so simple, on a pitch which at last lived up to its pre-match impression of a batsman's paradise. Steve Waugh's decision to put South Africa in – a last-minute hunch, he said – is beginning to look like a flash of genius.

5.50pm Australia 463 for 7 (Gilchrist 15*, Lee 0*) are 186 ahead of South Africa

Two quick wickets gave South Africa's perspiring bowlers a chance of resting their feet before the close of the third day's play at Melbourne tonight. But Australia remain firmly in charge, with a lead approaching 200.

First Damien Martyn, after a copybook half-century, edged Shaun Pollock low to slip, where Jacques Kallis clasped a fine fast-travelling catch (462 for 6). Martyn had hit four fours, two of them coaching-manual jobs off Kallis – a square-cut and a front-foot square-drive. It was the first wicket of the innings for Pollock.

Local hero Shane Warne swaggered out, pinched a single, and then swatted at Allan Donald. A top-edge spiralled out to midwicket, where Gary Kirsten took a simple catch (463 for 7). This brought in Brett Lee to face Donald with his tail up, but he survived the rest of the over, including a snorter which grazed past his helmet grille.

5.05pm Australia 435 for 5 (Martyn 41*, Gilchrist 0*) are 158 ahead of South Africa

Steve Waugh's nineties hoodoo struck again after tea on the third day at Melbourne. He had just reached 90 when Damien Martyn called for an optimistic single off Lance Klusener, the ball bounced nicely for Herschelle Gibbs at point, and his deadeye throw homed in on middle stump (429 for 5). Waugh and Martyn had put on 81, to exactly match the Waugh twins' earlier alliance.

It was the tenth time Steve Waugh had got to 90 but failed to make it to 100 in Tests, which is a record. Two of those were not-out, though, and Waugh is still one Nervous Ninety away from Michael Slater, who has been dismissed nine times there.

The new batsman was Adam Gilchrist … just about the last man the South Africans wanted to see with the lead already past 150 and counting.

4.55pm Australia 428 for 4 (S Waugh 89*, Martyn 35*) are 151 ahead of South Africa

Australia continued to pile on the runs after tea on the third day at Melbourne. The middle order, which had struggled earlier in the season, came good at last. Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn took their fifth-wicket stand past 70, and Australia's lead began to assume worrying proportions for the perspiring South Africans.

Martyn, becalmed for a while, got going again with a whippy square-cut for four off Jacques Kallis. He then added a perfect front-foot square-drive to the boundary.

Steve Waugh put a quiet season behind him. The first ball after tea was thick-edged to the boundary for four, to take the lead past 100 and give Waugh 1000 runs n Test against South Africa. It was Waugh who worked the ball to midwicket for the single that took the total to 400. And it was Waugh again who slog-swept Henderson for another four, his 12th, to take the lead to 150.

Tea Australia 375 for 4 (S Waugh 65*, Martyn 6*) are 98 ahead of South Africa

The loss of Matthew Hayden immediately after lunch, for a barnstorming 138, didn't derail Australia for long on the third day of the second match of the Test Championship decider series. The Waughs were then twinned in a brisk stand of 81, and in all Australia put on 108, at shade under a run a minute, in the session.

Hayden's fine knock came to an end three balls after lunch, when he lashed Claude Henderson straight to Allan Donald at long-on (267 for 3). It was an impetuous end to an impressive innings, which contained 17 fours from 211 balls.

Nantie Hayward worked up a fair pace and dug a few in at Steve Waugh. He leaked three fours, two of which flew over the slips, in one hurricane over. And when Donald took the new ball Waugh (24) survived a tough chance to short leg – Boeta Dippenaar dived forward but took the ball on the wrist and it bobbled away. In Donald's next over Waugh dusted off the hook – a shot he rarely plays these days – for an airy four to square leg. Waugh had reached 39 when Boeta missed the boat again, seemingly losing his footing as the chance hung tantalisingly in mid-air.

Mark Waugh was content to unroll the occasional reminder of his class. There was a saunter down the pitch to Claude Henderson, who was despatched for a two-bounce four over mid-on, and a trademark flick off the legs for four in the first over with the new ball.

Donald eventually separated the twins, bringing one back into Mark and crashing through a half-cock defensive shot (348 for 4). Donald launched into his characteristic aeroplane glide towards the keeper as Waugh taxied off with 34.

Steve Waugh brought up Australia's 350 after 92 overs. By tea he and Damien Martyn had quietly extended the lead to a touch short of three figures. There have already been 249 runs today – and the bad news for South Africa is that there are still 38 overs to go.

Before lunch Hayden held sway, motoring to his sixth Test century – his fifth of 2001. He passed Bob Simpson's tally of 1381 runs in 1964, the previous record by an Australian in a calendar year. And Hayden's opening partnership with Justin Langer is threatening to oust Simpson and Bill Lawry as Australia's finest. Today they completed their third double-century stand in eight starts since being thrown together in the final Test of the 2001 Ashes series in England.

Hayden was in awesome driving form, peppering the V between mid-on and mid-off. Almost his only false stroke was an inside-edge past his stumps off Donald, but he followed this with a chunky hook in front of square.

Langer slowed down a little, and was tied down by left-arm spinner Henderson for a time (Hayden, in contrast, slog-swept him over midwicket for four). But it was still a surprise when Langer, who had advanced stealthily to 85, was out. The ball after straight-driving the four that brought up the double-century, he pulled Donald straight to square leg, where Lance Klusener got into the match at last by plucking the catch almost out of the umpire's pocket (202 for 1).

Ricky Ponting started by straight-driving Donald for a four of his own, and he and Hayden frustrated the perspiring bowlers. They had put on 65 in less than 13 overs when, in the last over before lunch, Nantie Hayward pinned Ponting with a good bouncer, which he gloved to Shaun Pollock at slip (267 for 2).

Australia are making it all look simple, on a pitch which at last is living up to its pre-match impression of a batsman's paradise. Steve Waugh's decision to put South Africa in – a last-minute hunch, he said – is beginning to look like a flash of genius.

3.10pm Australia 350 for 4 (S Waugh 46*, Martyn 1*) are 73 ahead of South Africa

Allan Donald ended the Waugh twins' brisk stand of 81, by bringing one back into Mark and crashing through a half-cock defensive shot (348 for 4). Donald launched into his characteristic aeroplane glide towards the keeper as Waugh sloped off with 34 against his name.

Donald might have had the other Waugh as well – twice. At 24 and 39 Steve, uncomfortable against the bouncing ball, popped one up towards short leg. Boeta Dippenaar missed the boat both times. The first one hit him on the wrist as he dived forward, and he seemed to lose his footing as the second one hung tantalisingly in the air.

Damien Martyn, the new batsman, got off the mark straight away with a flick to square leg. Steve Waugh followed suit to the last ball of Donald's successful over, to bring up Australia's 350 after 92 overs.

2.40pm Australia 334 for 3 (M Waugh 30*, S Waugh 36*) are 57 ahead of South Africa

Two quick wickets either side of the lunch interval did little to staunch the flow of runs on the second day at Melbourne. In what seemed like no time at all the Waugh twins had posted a fifty partnership of their own. At the halfway point – the afternoon drinks session – more than 200 runs had already been hammered today.

Nantie Hayward, in an impressive spell, dug a few in at Steve Waugh. He leaked three fours, two of them over the slips, in one over. And when Allan Donald took the new ball Waugh (24) survived a tough chance to short leg – Boeta Dippenaar dived forward but took the ball on the wrist and it trickled away. In Donald's next over Waugh dusted off the hook – a shot he rarely plays these days – and collected an airy four to square leg.

Mark Waugh meanwhile was content to unroll the occasional reminder of his class. There was a saunter down the pitch to Claude Henderson, who was despatched for a two-bounce four over mid-on, and a trademark flick off the legs for four in the first over with the new ball.

1.45pm Australia 267 for 3 (M Waugh 0*, S Waugh 0*) are 10 behind South Africa

Matthew Hayden's fine knock came to an end immediately after lunch, when he lashed Claude Henderson straight to Allan Donald at long-on (267 for 3). It was an impetuous end to an impressive innings, which contained 17 fours from 211 balls.

It meant that South Africa had taken two wickets in four balls either side of the lunch interval – and it also meant that the Waugh twins came together, neither with a run to his name.

Lunch Australia 267 for 2 (Hayden 138*) are 10 behind South Africa

Matthew Hayden dominated the third morning of the second match of the Test Championship decider series at Melbourne. By lunch Hayden had motored in muscular fashion to 138, his sixth Test century and his fifth of 2001.

Shortly before the interval Hayden passed Bob Simpson's tally of 1381 runs in 1964, the previous record by an Australian in a calendar year. And Hayden's opening partnership with Justin Langer is threatening to oust Simpson and Bill Lawry as Australia's finest. Today they completed their third double-century stand since being thrown together in the final Test of the 2001 Ashes series in England.

Hayden was in awesome driving form, peppering the V between mid-on and mid-off for most of his 17 fours. Almost his only false stroke was an inside-edge past his stumps off Allan Donald, but he followed this with a chunky hook in front of square.

Langer slowed down this morning, and was tied down by left-arm spinner Claude Henderson for a time – Hayden, in contrast, slog-swept him over midwicket for four. But it was still a surprise when Langer, who had advanced stealthily to 85, was out. The ball after straight-driving the four that brought up the double-century, he pulled Donald straight to square leg, where Lance Klusener got into the match at last by taking the catch (202 for 1).

Ricky Ponting started by straight-driving Donald for a four of his own, and he and Hayden frustrated the perspiring bowlers with quick singles and daring drives. They had put on 65 in less than 13 overs when, in the last over before lunch, Nantie Hayward pinned Ponting with a good bouncer, which he gloved to Shaun Pollock at slip (267 for 2).

Hayden is making it all look simple, on a pitch which at last is living up to its pre-match impression of a batsman's paradise. Steve Waugh's decision to put South Africa in – a last-minute hunch, he said – is beginning to look like a flash of genius.

12.10pm Australia 206 for 1 (Hayden 104*, Ponting 4*) are 71 behind South Africa

South Africa finally made a breakthrough on the third morning at Melbourne. The ball after a sizzling straight-drive flew away for his seventh four and brought up the 200 partnership, Justin Langer pulled Allan Donald hard to square leg, where Lance Klusener finally made an impression on the match by catching it (202 for 1).

Ricky Ponting came in, and caressed his first ball – a full-toss – back past the bowler for yet another boundary.

At the other end Matthew Hayden was an imposing sight. In the over before Langer went Hayden pushed Shaun Pollock through midwicket for two to bring up his sixth Test century - his fifth of 2001 - from 158 balls. There were 14 meaty fours, many of them from classical drives as Hayden peppered the V between mid-off and mid-on.

11.45am Australia 188 for 0 (Langer 80*, Hayden 95*) are 89 behind South Africa

It took the seasoned bowling pair of Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock to stem the flow of runs on the third morning at Melbourne. Rather like Nottinghamshire's George Gunn of old, Donald and Pollock stuck to traditional playing hours and declined to enter the attack until after 11am.

By that time Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden had shot off to a good start, and although the brakes were applied later they had still reduced the deficit to less than 100 by the times drinks were taken.

Hayden was the senior partner this morning, clubbing Claude Henderson for four over midwicket and then, after a lucky break when he inside-edged Donald past his stumps, grabbing back the initiative with a clunking hook for another boundary. And Hayden welcomed the bottle-shaped drinks cart with a crashing straight-drive – his 14th four – which threatened further damage to Donald's injured foot.

10.50am Australia 146 for 0 (Langer 72*, Hayden 64*) are 131 behind South Africa

The Australian openers took up where they left off last night, milking the anodyne South African bowling to all parts on the third day of the second match of the Test Championship decider series.

Matthew Hayden was back to aggressive Adelaide mode, slog-sweeping Claude Henderson to midwicket for four. With Justin Langer in run-a-ball mode, the South Africans were firmly on the back foot after only six overs.

At last it was a sunny morning at the MCG. The temperature was creeping up towards the 30oC mark – one that hasn't been reached so far in this temperate Melbourne summer.

10.30am Australia 126 for 0 (Langer 67*, Hayden 55*) are 151 behind South Africa

Wonder of wonders, it dawned bright and sunny in Melbourne at last – so the MCG might not have to fork out $1000 an hour for the floodlights today.

Shaun Pollock and his not-so-merry men might have wished it had stayed dull. The breakneck start by the Australian openers last night put South Africa's modest total of 277 into perspective. The one ray of light for Pollock is that Australia's middle order has been in poor form all summer. Can it last?

In the last session yesterday the pitch finally began to resemble the hard road it had seemed to this observer on Christmas Eve. Steve Waugh's decision to put South Africa in – a last-minute hunch, he said – is beginning to look like a flash of genius.

Teams
Australia 1 Justin Langer, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Mark Waugh, 5 Steve Waugh (capt), 6 Damien Martyn, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Andy Bichel, 11 Glenn McGrath.

South Africa 1 Gary Kirsten, 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Boeta Dippenaar, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Neil McKenzie, 6 Lance Klusener, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Claude Henderson, 10 Allan Donald, 11 Nantie Hayward.

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