Skipper Smith leads from the front to lift Proteas

Graeme Smith produced the inspiring captain's knock on Friday to lift South Africa's morale in the second Adelaide Test after a horror opening day chasing the ball in Australia's run onslaught.

Graeme Smith produced the inspiring captain's knock on Friday to lift South Africa's morale in the second Adelaide Test after a horror opening day chasing the ball in Australia's run onslaught.

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Skipper Smith knuckled down to carve out his 26th Test century with a belligerent unbeaten 111 as the Proteas clawed back to 217 for two in the chase after Australia's hefty 550 first innings.

The world's number one ranked outfit had little to cheer on Thursday's first day as Michael Clarke plundered his fourth double-century of the year and David Warner and Mike Hussey rifled rapid-fire tons to put the Proteas on the rack.

But Smith lifted spirits and team resolve with his fighting hundred to give the South Africans a chance of going on to win this high-scoring encounter over the concluding three days under forecast searing temperatures.

Brief scores: Australia 1st innings (overnight score 482-5) 550 all out (Clarke 230) v South Africa 217 (Smith 111)