Proteas still alive after Smith charge SOUTH AFRICA captain Graeme Smith is daring to dream after his century on day four saw his side cling on to their slim hopes of a sensational first Test victory over Australia at the WACA. Smith's heroics, and a fantastic 153-run partnership with Hashim Amla, helped the South Africans overcome the early loss of Neil McKenzie as they chased a mammoth win target of 414. Smith and Amla eventually fell late in the day to leave the tourists on 227 for three. But with Jacques Kallis (33no) and AB de Villiers (11no) at the crease overnight, South Africa still need 187 runs to win with seven wickets left. The Proteas know they are up against it. After all, they are looking at the second highest run chase in Test history. But Smith is happy that his side are in with a shout going into the final day at the WACA. The left-hander said: "In my own mind things have gone a lot better than maybe I expected. I thought Australia bowled superbly well with the new ball, created a lot of pressure and we soaked that up. In our heads it's really feet on the ground, it's really focusing. After two sessions we'll know where we are." South Africa would not have had such a tough task had they managed to turn over the Australia tail earlier in the day. Resuming on 228 for seven, the Aussies moved on to 319 all out at lunch. Brad Haddin was last man out for a hard-hitting 94, and the wicketkeeper-batsman helped the tail add 157 runs for the last three wickets, leaving the South Africans chasing a huge total. But although the off-form McKenzie folded early on, Smith defied a serious elbow injury and dug deep with Amla to defy the Aussie attack. He eventually fell to Mitchell Johnson, becoming the left-armer's tenth wicket of the Test. And after Amla fell to Brett Lee, the Aussies scented victory. Kallis and de Villiers hit back late on, but pace spearhead Lee felt the hosts were in the driving seat. He said: "We're still in with a very good chance. They need 187 more to win, and being three down going on what happened in the first innings with them losing 5-7, anything's possible. We have bowled pretty well with the old ball, so hopefully we can move it around a bit tomorrow morning and get a couple of wickets before lunch and we'll be right back in it. "The team that walks away with a win will set their sights on the series. It is probably the most important day of the summer for both teams."
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