Hodge double ton powers Aussies

Perth: Australia set South Africa a near-impossible target of 491 to win in the first Test at the WACA ground on Monday after declaring their second innings closed just before tea on the fourth day.

In reply the Proteas were precariously placed at 85 for the loss of two wickets with Gibbs batting at 17 and Rudolph on 18 when bad light intervened with six overs scheduled to be played.

The visitors, chasing the massive target, lost both their openers quickly to be on the backfoot.

AB de Villiers was the first to go when he was caught by Brad Hodge after making 12 and his captain Greame Smith followed him soon when he was LBW fro 30 off the bowling of Nathan Bracken.

Test newcomer Hodge crafted an unbeaten 203 to steer the Australians to a massive 528 for 8 before captain Ricky Ponting made the declaration.

Australia, who declared their second innings closed at a massive 528 for 8, were boosted by a brilliant double-century from Hodge.

The 30-year-old raised his arms in triumph after smacking a boundary to bring his score to an unbeaten 203 just 24 minutes before the tea break, prompting Ponting to make an immediate declaration.

Playing in only his third Test, Hodge became just the fifth Australian in Test history to convert his maiden century into a double.

He had resumed on Monday on 91 and said he had been nervous about the possibility of his first Test century.

"I didn't get a great deal of sleep last night having just nine runs to get for my century," Hodge said.

"It was just massive for me to get my first century for Australia to make 200 was just sort of a surreal experience," he added.

"I didn't think it would happen and it happened and I wasn't really sure whether to cry or scream out. I think I did a bit of both actually."

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Australia's next biggest contributor was Michael Hussey, who had resumed with Hodge on Monday morning, with 58. Ponting made 53.

The home side, who made 258 in their first innings, had begun the day at 310 for 4.

South Africa were offered some early encouragement when veteran Shaun Pollock had Hussey caught behind in the second over of the day.

But any hopes of a subsequent middle-order collapse faded with allrounder Andrew Symonds coming to the crease to partner Hodge for 61 runs.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne claimed the first of the South African second innings wickets when AB de Villiers popped a catch to Hodge at short leg for 12.

Seamer Nathan Bracken then grabbed the key wicket of captain Graeme Smith, trapping him lbw for 30.

But it was not all good news for the Australians, who will name their side for the second Test starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day on Tuesday.

Veteran opener Justin Langer may miss the remainder of the Test series against South Africa after straining his hamstring.

The world-record for a successful fourth-innings run chase was set by the West Indies, who made 418 for 7 against Australia in the fourth Test in Antigua two years ago.

But injured South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis said he believed the team had the ability to stave off defeat.

"I thoroughly believe we have got the cricketers to stand up tomorrow and get through the day," Kallis said.

"It's not just the senior players - everyone has to do it together."