Australia was battling to save the third and deciding test against South Africa, as it reached 250 for 4 at lunch on the last day, with an overall lead of 97 runs.


In the morning session Michael Slater fell to Allan Donald just five runs short of his century, to a dubious lbw decision. Earlier Slater, who had been in glorious form striking 11 boundaries, had lost Shane Warne for 12.


Slater's dismissal brought captain Allan Border to the crease, fighting a customary rearguard action in what some speculate could be his last test. He took 24 minutes to get off the mark, and at lunch was six not out, accompanied by Mark Waugh on 34. The two batted through the lunch session.