Close Australia 439 and 309 for 7 dec (Hayden 131, M Waugh 74, Kallis 3-45, Henderson 3-130) lead South Africa 374 and 17 for 2 by 358 runs
scorecard

Australia took full charge on the fourth day of the first Test of the World Championship decider. They batted almost throughout before declaring, somewhat belatedly, in time to give South Africa a tricky 12 overs to negotiate as the shadows lengthened across the Adelaide Oval.

And South Africa suffered two mortal blows in that fateful 45 minutes. First Herschelle Gibbs propped forward at one from Glenn McGrath which cut back into him slightly, and the ball popped up to short leg, where Justin Langer gleefully grabbed it above his head (12 for 1).

Then, from the last ball of the day, Gary Kirsten stretched forward to Shane Warne, and pad-batted it to Ricky Ponting at silly point. The Aussies went off in raptures – Warne slightly less so after being poked in the eye by Ponting's helmet during the celebrations – while the South Africans skulked away to consult the weather forecast.

It will be a daunting task for South Africa tomorrow, with a bagful of baggy greens browbeating the batsmen. The notional target of 375 went out of the window with those two wickets, and they will have their work cut out to keep Warne at bay. Jacques Kallis has done it before – at Melbourne in 1997-98 – but the others might not have the technique or temperament.

The star of the fourth day was Matthew Hayden, the muscular Queensland left-hander, who crunched his fifth Test century – his fourth of 2001 but his first against South Africa. His trademark shot was the skip down the track and whip through midwicket, but he was also game to take on the Adelaide Oval's short square boundaries. Twice he dropped onto one knee and clouted Claude Henderson hard and high. The first one sailed close to the Victor Richardson Gates, the second just cleared the ropes as Lance Klusener stood and fumed. Later Klusener too was biffed for six to the same spot, and there were also nine meaty fours in Hayden's ton.

Hayden sweated for more than ten minutes on 99, but eventually reached three figures by flicking Nantie Hayward off his hip. He had never even reached 50 before in four previous Tests against South Africa, but in this innings square-shouldered his way past Brian Lara as the leading Test runscorer of 2001. He eventually perished after tea, sauntering down the pitch to Kallis and being bowled (247 for 3), one of five wickets to tumble as Australia looked for quick runs.

Hayden put on 181 – 125 of them between lunch and tea – for the third wicket with Mark Waugh, who started slowly but blossomed later on his way to 74. He was as elegant off the legs as ever, although he found it difficult to pierce the cover field. Waugh countered Henderson's attack into the leg-side rough by moseying down the pitch and plonking him over long-on, and also pulled Shaun Pollock viciously for four when he pitched short.

Eventually Waugh top-edged Henderson to give Mark Boucher probably the easiest catch he'll ever have in Test cricket (273 for 4). Then Adam Gilchrist, after a punchy 22 from 21 balls, swung once too often at Kallis, and sent it straight to Neil McKenzie at deep midwicket (291 for 5). It was revenge for Kallis after Gilchrist had swatted him for four then clunked him to the long-on boundary.

There was the occasional jeer from the crowd when Steve Waugh didn't declare at the 5pm drinks interval. And there were a few more immediately afterwards, when Waugh fell and still didn't call it off. He swatted Henderson towards square leg, where Pollock caught the fast-travelling missile with ease (303 for 6)

In came Warne, who immediately waltzed down to Henderson and deposited him over wide mid-on for four. But in the next over he slogged at Henderson again, missed, and was bowled (309 for 7). Waugh finally clapped his hands then, with a lead of 374. Kallis finished with 3 for 45, but he will be the only South African bowler satisfied with his efforts. There was too much loose stuff from the rest, even from the usually parsimonious Pollock.

Earlier, Australia added 99 in the morning session. It was a good effort, given that South Africa made the ideal start, when Pollock removed Langer for 1. Pollock moved his first ball back in a shade, it flicked the inside-edge and flew through to Boucher (8 for 1). Pollock showed he was up for the battle by thumping his next ball into Ponting's pads, but umpire Simon Taufel turned down the loud appeal.

The Australians regrouped after that early shock – it was the only wicket to fall in the first hour on any of the first four days – as Ponting and Hayden put on 58. Ponting shaped well in his brief innings, hooking and on-driving Pollock for fours, then late-cutting Hayward to the third-man boundary. But at 25 he swished across the line at one from Kallis which kept low. Ponting looked disappointed as he marched off (66 for 2). He might have had a point – this one looked more likely to miss leg stump than that first ball from Pollock.

The man who raised the fatal finger was Venkat, the Indian umpire, who had just had treatment on his knee, injured when a Ponting pull cannoned into it earlier. Perhaps Punter's earnest apology wasn't quite convincing enough.

5.15pm Australia 309 for 7 dec (Hayden 131, M Waugh 74, Kallis 3-45, Henderson 3-130) lead by 374 runs

Two more wickets, including his own, eventually persuaded Steve Waugh to declare with a lead of 374. South Africa have 102 overs, 12 of them tonight, in which to reach that distant target. It's more likely that they will face a grim fight for survival, with ten grim-faced baggy greens grouped around the bat.

South Africa's aim this evening will be to keep out the overs which remain. Glenn McGrath started off against Herschelle Gibbs with two slips and two gullies as the shadows lengthened across the Adelaide Oval.

There was the occasional jeer from the crowd when Waugh didn't call a halt at the 5pm drinks interval. And there were a few more immediately afterwards, when Waugh fell and still didn't call it off. He swatted Claude Henderson towards square leg, where Shaun Pollock caught the fast-travelling missile with ease (303 for 6)

In came Shane Warne, who immediately waltzed down to Henderson and deposited him over wide mid-on for four. But in the next over Warne slogged at Henderson again, missed, and was bowled (309 for 7). Waugh finally clapped his hands then.

4.55pm Australia 301 for 5 (S Waugh 65*, Martyn 1*) lead by 366 runs

The chase for runs cost Australia two quick wickets after Matthew Hayden went for 131. But, with the lead spiralling towards 400, there was little need for panic in the home camp.

First Mark Waugh, after an elegant innings of 74 which will silence the doubters who had been carping at his continued inclusion, swept at Claude Henderson, top-edged onto his arm, and the ball flew up vertically. Mark Boucher completed probably the easiest catch he'll ever take in Test cricket (273 for 4).

Then Adam Gilchrst, after a punchy innings of 22 from 21 balls, swung once too often at Jacques Kallis, and sent it straight to Neil McKenzie at deep midwicket (291 for 5). It was revenge for Kallis after Gilchrist had swatted him for four then clunked him to the long-on boundary.

Damien Martyn was lucky not to be run out before he'd scored. Steve Waugh bunted one back past bowler Henderson, and Martyn had to stretch to beat Nantie Hayward's return to Boucher. The TV replays suggested he hadn't made his ground, but for some reason he got the green light and stayed in.

3.50pm Australia 251 for 3 (M Waugh 65*, Gilchrist 1*) lead by 316 runs

Matthew Hayden's long innings came to an end shortly after tea on the fourth day at Adelaide, when he wandered down the wicket but missed a straight one from Jacques Kallis which kept low (247 for 3).

Hayden had been all attack since tea, clubbing Claude Henderson for another six – his fourth – high over midwicket, then reaching out to thrash him through the covers for his 12th and last four. Mark Waugh got in on the act, too, with a four off Kallis.

Australia's lead zoomed past 300. The new batsman, Adam Gilchrist, trotted out as if he had his eyes on 400.

Tea Australia 227 for 2 (Hayden 116*, M Waugh 60*) lead by 292 runs

Australia took charge after lunch at Adelaide, piling on 125 runs in the afternoon session without losing a wicket, and swelling their lead close to the 300 that Steve Waugh will regard as a minimum before he declares. The likelihood is that South Africa's batsmen will face a ticklish hour or so before the close this evening on the fourth day of the World Championship decider series.

The batting hero was Matthew Hayden, the muscular Queensland left-hander, who crunched his fifth Test century – his fourth of 2001 but his first against South Africa. His trademark shot was the skip down the track and whip through midwicket, but he was also game to take on the Adelaide Oval's short square boundaries. Twice he dropped onto one knee and clouted Claude Henderson hard and high: the first one sailed close to the Victor Richardson Gates, the second just cleared the ropes as Lance Klusener stood and fumed. Later Klusener too was biffed for six in the same spot, and there were also nine meaty fours in Hayden's ton.

Hayden sweated for more than ten minutes on 99, but eventually reached three figures by flicking Nantie Hayward off his hip. He had never even reached 50 before in four previous Tests against South Africa, but in this innings square-shouldered his way past Brian Lara as the leading runscorer of 2001.

Mark Waugh started slowly, but blossomed later on, as elegant off the legs as ever, although he found it difficult to pierce the cover field. Waugh countered Henderson's attack into the rough near the leg stump by sauntering down the pitch and plonking him over long-on, and also pulled Shaun Pollock viciously for four when he pitched short. By tea he and Hayden had put on 161.

Earlier Australia put on 99 in the morning session for the loss of two wickets. It was a good effort, given that South Africa made the ideal start, when Pollock removed the prolific Justin Langer for 1. Pollock moved his first ball back in a shade, it flicked the inside-edge and flew through to Mark Boucher (8 for 1). Pollock showed he was up for the battle by thumping his next ball into Ricky Ponting's pads, but umpire Simon Taufel turned down the loud appeal.

The Australians regrouped after that early shock – it was the only wicket to fall in the first hour on any of the first four days – as Ponting and Hayden put on 58. Ponting shaped well in his brief innings, hooking and on-driving Pollock for fours, then late-cutting Hayward to the third-man boundary. But at 25 he swished across the line at one from Kallis which kept low. Ponting looked disappointed as he marched off (66 for 2). He might have had a point – this one looked more likely to miss leg stump than that first ball from Pollock.

The man who raised the fatal finger was Venkat, the Indian umpire, who had just had treatment on his knee, injured when a Ponting pull cannoned into it earlier. Perhaps Punter's earnest apology wasn't quite convincing enough.

Shane Warne will already be licking his lips at the thought of bowling on the final day. The faster bowlers, too, won't mind steaming in on this pitch, on which the occasional ball is squatting low. Australia probably already have enough runs – and if Steve Waugh want a few more, he has just the man for the job padded up in the pavilion … Adam Gilchrist. Catching sight of him won't have improved Shaun Pollock's appetite at tea.

3.15pm Australia 204 for 2 (Hayden 100*, M Waugh 58*) lead by 269 runs

After more than ten minutes on 99 Matthew Hayden finally brought up his first hundred against South Africa with a flick off his hip off Nantie Hayward, as Australia stretched their lead towards 300 on the fourth day at Adelaide. Hayden, moving his feet well and hammering the bad ball, hit nine fours – and three sixes, two of them off Claude Henderson and the other off Lance Klusener. It was his fifth Test century, but his fourth in 2001.

Mark Waugh shrugged off a slow start, and was timing the ball sweetly off his legs as he reached his own half-century, pulling and cutting Shaun Pollock for fours. He was still having trouble piercing the cover field, though.

Waugh pushed Australia's lead past 250 just before Hayden reached his century. On a pitch playing a few tricks, that could already be enough, but Steve Waugh will want a few more yet. He has just the man for the job padded up in the pavilion … Adam Gilchrist.

2.20pm Australia 144 for 2 (Hayden 77*, M Waugh 26*) lead by 209 runs

Australia continued to push on after lunch on the fourth day at Adelaide. An uppish four from Mark Waugh, past an airborne Herschelle Gibbs at point, took the lead past 200.

There was only one run in each of the first four overs after the interval, but then Mathew Hayden broke loose with a six over midwicket off Claude Henderson. It might have been caught in previous years, but nowadays there's a rope in front of the fence. Mark Waugh joined in later in the same over, which cost 13, with a textbook clip through mid-on for four.

Hayden had earlier reached his first fifty against South Africa, and then took two fours, with a meaty sweep and a meat-cleaver straight-drive, off Henderson. He added another six off Lance Klusener when he was belatedly introduced into the attack.

Steve Waugh is probably aiming for a lead of around 300. On a pitch playing a few tricks, 200 might already be enough.

Lunch Australia 102 for 2 (Hayden 47*, M Waugh 14*) lead by 167 runs

Australia swelled their lead on the fourth morning at Adelaide, after an early shock, and seem poised to set South Africa a stiff target in the first Test of the World Championship decider series.

Building on their overnight advantage of 68, Australia added 99 this morning for the loss of two wickets. The pitch is still behaving unpredictably at times – Jacques Kallis got the occasional ball to squat, and Shaun Pollock wobbled it around a bit – but the Australians still had the better of the first session.

And that after South Africa made the ideal start, when Shaun removed the prolific Justin Langer for 1. Pollock moved his first ball back in a shade, it flicked the inside-edge and flew through to Mark Boucher (8 for 1). Pollock showed he was up for the battle by thumping his next ball into Ricky Ponting's pads, but umpire Simon Taufel turned down the loud appeal.

The Australians regrouped after that early shock – it was the only wicket to fall in the first hour on any of the first four days – as Ponting and Matthew Hayden put on 58. Ponting shaped well in his brief innings, hooking and on-driving Pollock for fours, then late-cutting Nantie Hayward to the third-man boundary. But at 25 he swished across the line at one from Kallis which kept low. Ponting looked disappointed as he marched off (66 for 2). He might have had a point – this one looked more likely to miss leg stump than his first ball, from Pollock.

The man who raised the fatal finger was Venkat, the Indian umpire, who had had treatment during the drinks interval on his knee, which was injured when a Ponting pull smacked into it earlier. Perhaps Punter's earnest apology wasn't quite convincing enough.

At the other end Hayden was beginning to blossom. In the over before Ponting's dismissal he dropped on one knee and smashed left-arm spinner Claude Henderson into the crowd by the Victor Richardson Gates for six. His unbeaten 47 at lunch was, rather surprisingly, his highest score against South Africa, in his fifth Test against them. And this morning's runs muscled Hayden past Brian Lara as the top Test runscorer of 2001.

12.20pm Australia 69 for 2 (Hayden 31*, M Waugh 2*) lead by 131 runs

Jacques Kallis struck an important blow for South Africa on the third morning at Adelaide, when he trapped Ricky Ponting leg-before for 25.

Ponting had shaped well in his brief innings, but swished across the line at a ball from Kallis which kept low (66 for 2). Ponting looked disappointed as he marched off. He might have had a point – this one looked more likely to miss leg stump than the first ball he received, from Shaun Pollock.

The man who raised the finger was Venkat, the Indian umpire, who had had treatment on the knee he injured when a Ponting pull smacked into it earlier. Perhaps Ponting's earnest apology after the incident wasn't quite convincing enough.

At the other end Matthew Hayden was beginning to blossom. In the over before Ponting's dismissal he dropped on one knee and smashed left-arm spinner Claude Henderson into the crowd by the Victor Richardson Gates for six.

11.50am Australia 54 for 1 (Hayden 22*, Ponting 22*) lead by 119 runs

Australia put the shock of an early wicket behind them, and pushed their lead past 100 on the fourth morning at Adelaide. Ricky Ponting looked in sublime form, cuffing Shaun Pollock to square leg for four, then on-driving his slower ball to the long straight boundary.

Ponting might have had another boundary off Pollock, but his pull thwacked into the knee of umpire Venkat at square leg before he could leap out of the way. At the other end Matthew Hayden was looking solid, once stretching wide to clatter Claude Henderson to the cover boundary.

It might have been a different story if Simon Taufel had given Ponting out lbw from the first ball he received, from Pollock. The ball seemed bound for the stumps as Ponting fell across an attempted on-drive, but the umpire decided otherwise. Coming the ball after Justin Langer's departure, that would have made Australia 8 for 2. Instead they were looking in much better health as the first drinks interval of the day approached.

11.10am Australia 8 for 1 (Hayden 3*, Ponting 0*) lead by 73 runs

South Africa made just the start they wanted on the fourth morning at Adelaide, when Shaun Pollock removed the prolific Justin Langer for 1.

After a quick opening over from Nantie Hayward, which included two no-balls and two byes, Pollock moved his first ball back in a shade to Langer. It flicked the inside-edge and flew through to Mark Boucher (8 for 1).

Pollock showed he was up for the battle by thumping his next ball into Ricky Ponting's pads. It looked out for all money, but umpire Simon Taufel – who has been having a good game – shook his head.

11am Australia 439 and 3 for 0 (Langer 0*, Hayden 3*) lead South Africa by 68 runs

It's bright and breezy at Adelaide this morning, although the forecast is for a few clouds to drift over later. And this fourth day could be a pivotal one in the first Test, and indeed the whole World Championship decider series.

If Australia's batsmen are in four-an-over mode they could put the match beyond South Africa by tea. But if Shaun Pollock bowls in his usual miserly fashion, and Nantie Hayward was stirred not shaken by Brett Lee's onslaught last night, then South Africa could be in with a shout.

Australia have a handy first-innings lead of 65, which could prove vital when Shane Warne warms his fingers on the last day. A lead of over 250 – which would mean a second-innings total of around 200 – might be enough for the Aussies.

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

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

Steven Lynch will be sending exclusive bulletins on the play from Australia for Wisden.com throughout the series against South Africa. And Ian Healy, the former Australian wicketkeeper, will be delivering his authoritative Session by Session reports at lunch, tea and the close on each day of the series.

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