Sydney, Jan. 4 : Michael Clarke''s 10th Test century and tail-enders' putting up a good show helped Australia score a respectable 445 runs all out on Day 2 of the Sydney test here on Sunday.

Michael Clarke''s 10th Test century came after over six-hour wait. He faced 250 balls, hitting 17 boundaries in the process. While Johnson''s career best 64 came in nearly three hours, off 124 balls with 11 boundaries in it.

Resuming the day two on 267 for 6, overnight batsmen Michael Clarke (138) and Mitchell Johnson (64) stitched together an invaluable 142-run stand for the 7th wicket before Nathan Hauritz (41) and Peter Siddle (23) also chipped in as Australia raised 445 runs in their first innings of the test match.

In reply, South Africa made a steady start. The team lost Neil McKenzie (23) to Peter Siddle and Graeme Smith (30 retired hurt) to injury before reaching 125 for one at stumps in 39 overs.

South Africa, with 125 for 1, were trailing by 320 runs with nine wickets still in hand at the end of the day two.

The in-form Hashim Amla (30) and veteran Jacques Kallis (36) looked settled in the middle, having put on 49-run partnership stand.

Smith hurt his little finger after a Johnson delivery bounced sharply to hit him and the South African skipper, already nursing an elbow injury, headed to the hospital for an X-ray.

Earlier, Dale Steyn and Paul Harris claimed three wickets apiece but overall, it was quite a toil for the South African bowlers who just could not get the better of the Australian tail-enders'' determination.

It's the third and final cricket Test in Sydney.

South Africa has already wrapped up the series beating Australia by nine wickets in second Test in Melbourne. (ANI)