Australia will have to produce the greatest run chase in test cricket history to beat South Africa in the third test in Perth and claim the top spot in the test rankings. Set 632 to win after the Proteas were finally dismissed for 569 in their second innings on the back of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers centuries, Australia were 40 without loss at stumps on the third day yesterday. The Australians still need a further 592 runs to win with two days to play. However, De Villiers said the South Africans were not taking victory for granted, having themselves chased down 414 for the loss of just four wickets at the same venue in 2008. "We are aware that if they go the full length of the match they will come quite close," he said. AFP

Two-time defending champion Ng On-yee reached the final of the women's amateur world snooker championship after beating top seed Siraphat Chitchomnart of Thailand 4-2 in Sofia, Bulgaria, last night. Ng, 22, will take on Wendy Jans of Belgium for the trophy, which the Hong Kong player won in India in 2009 and in Syria the following year. No event was held last year. Chan Kin-wa