ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) South Africa's Vernon Philander ended Usman Khawaja's eight-hour innings on Saturday to trigger a late slide from Australia, which took a 124-run first-innings lead in the day-night third test.
Australia resumed at 307-6 on day three and was all out for 383. The seventh-wicket pair added 20 to the overnight total before Khawaja was out lbw to Philander for 145, hit on the knee roll directly in front and ending a 308-ball vigil that spanned the first three days of the test.
The century, the first by an Australian in the series and the most important of Khawaja's career, gave the new-look Australia XI hope of avoiding a three-test sweep.
The 29-year-old lefthander went in late on day one, survived 12 overs after South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis made a tactical declaration at 259-9, batted through the entire second day and for almost seven overs on the third.
His innings included important partnerships of 137 with skipper Steve Smith (59) and 99 with newcomer Peter Handscomb (54) to lift Australia from 37-2 to 273-4 and 44 with No. 8 Mitchell Starc, who scored 53 after getting a reprieve early in his innings on Friday when an lbw decision was overturned on review.
Australia's lower order frustrated South Africa's attack for most of the first session on day four. Starc's two-hour stand, which contained a swiped six and five boundaries, ended when he was caught-and-bowled by Kagiso Rabada (3-84) on the first ball after the drinks break.
Nathan Lyon added 13 and Josh Hazlewood was not out on 11 when Rabada had No. 11 Jackson Bird (6) caught by du Plessis in the slips to finish the innings.
Kyle Abbott, who took three of the first four wickets, didn't add to his tally on Saturday and returned 3-49.
The umpires called for an early end to the first session at Adelaide Oval, leaving South Africa two full sessions to bat on day three.
