Australia 397 and 3-288 (David Warner 115, Alex Doolan 89, Shaun Marsh 44*, Jean-Paul Duminy 1-12) leads South Africa 206 (AB de Villiers 91, Duminy 25, Mitchell Johnson 7-68, Nathan Lyon 2-38) by 479 runs with seven wickets still in hand.

Mitchell Johnson bulldozed the Proteas batting whereas David Warner blasted a ton and Alex Doolan was another star performer with the bat for the Kangaroos.

Australia scored 397 in their first innings and hammered 288 for the loss of three mere wickets in the second whereas South Africa was bowled out for 206 in their first one.

The third day of the first Test came to an end on Friday, February 14, 2014, at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Earlier, the hosts went into bat at 6-140 after 43.3 overs whereas AB de Villiers along with Robin Peterson were batting at 52 and 10. The latter was gone without adding any run when AB de Villiers decided to face most of the rival bowling. He continued adding runs with few boundaries but the wickets kept on crumbling regularly at the other end. AB de Villiers was finally dismissed at 202 at his individual score of 91 and the last batsman went back to the pavilion four runs later.

Mitchell Johnson was the star performer with seven wickets, Nathan Lyon held two and Peter Siddle got one wicket.

Australia gained a valuable first innings lead of 191 runs but lost their first wicket at one in the second. Alex Doolan got together with David Warner who was dropped twice in successive overs at 26 and 27. The latter utilised the chances, opened up and reached his fifty with a boundary while his partner kept on consolidating at his end. The duo was enjoying their stay in the middle and the debutant, Doolan, attained his maiden Test fifty immediately after tea break.

David Warner dispatched his sixth Test century with another four and the 205 runs second wicket association was dislodged when he was gone for 115. Shaun Marsh walked in next and started off from where he left in the first innings. Alex Doolan surrendered at 243 for 89 and was replaced by his skipper, Michael Clarke who remained unbeaten for 17. Marsh secured his end for 44 as the Aussies piled up 288 after 69 overs with seven wickets intact.

Dale Steyn, Robin Peterson and Jean-Paul Duminy were the only successful bowlers with one wicket each.

Australia has taken an overall lead of 479 runs and they are in a strong position to win the first encounter.