Smith takes South Africa towards victory target

JOHANNESBURG, May 7 (Reuters) Graeme Smith scored 68 to guide South Africa towards victory in the third and final test against New Zealand today.

South Africa, who need 217 to win, were 167 for four at tea on the third day. New Zealand were dismissed earlier in the day for 283 in their second innings.

Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori resumed on 214 for six for the Kiwis and took their partnership to 49 before Oram was out for 27.

Vettori and James Franklin shared 44 for the eighth wicket in a stand that ended when Franklin left a straightening delivery from medium pacer Shaun Pollock and was bowled for 19.

Vettori, who faced 91 balls and hit eight fours in his 60, was ninth out when he slashed a drive off medium pacer Andrew Hall and was caught by AB de Villiers in the gully.

New Zealand lost their last three wickets for no runs in the space of six deliveries.

Smith and Boeta Dippenaar set the tone for South Africa's aggressive run-chase with an opening partnership of 69.

The stand was ended in the 14th over when medium pacer Chris Martin had a driving Dippenaar caught behind by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum for 37.

Smith was also caught behind 11 overs later when he tried to cut a delivery from left-arm paceman Franklin.

South Africa slipped to 156 for three in the fifth over before tea when Hashim Amla chose the wrong line to an away-swinger from medium pacer Kyle Mills and was bowled for 28.

Jacques Kallis was dismissed for 13 with what became the last ball before tea when a rising inswinger from Mills found the shoulder of the bat and looped to gully, where Jamie How took the catch.

South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0.

REUTERS PG VC1832