-as Australia extend lead to 506

DURBAN, South Africa, (Reuters) – Phillip Hughes  powered to his second century of the match as Australia extended  their lead over South Africa to 506 at the close on the third  day of the second test at Kingsmead  yesterday.

Hughes advanced to 136 not out as Australia surged to 292 for three in their

second innings. The opener, who hit his maiden test ton in the first innings, became the youngest player to score a century in each innings of a test at 20 years and 98 days old.

West Indian George Headley was the former record-holder with 114 and 112 against England in Georgetown in 1930 aged 20 years  and 297 days old.

The left-handed Hughes and captain Ricky Ponting added 164  in just over three hours for the second wicket as Australia  piled on the misery for the South African bowlers.

Ponting fell for 81 when he sent a pull off Morne Morkel to  Neil McKenzie at deep midwicket and Michael Hussey (19) followed  him back nearly an hour later when he edged a delivery from  off-spinner JP Duminy that turned away from him and Jacques  Kallis took smart catch at slip.

Hughes continued to stamp his dominance on the bowlers,  however, going to his century in 277 minutes off 247 deliveries.

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris was the only member of a poor  South African attack to stem the flow of runs, conceding just 68  runs in 31 overs.

The post-lunch session was dominated by Ponting as he  notched another personal milestone in his glittering career.

Ponting became the second-highest Australian run-scorer when  he reached 61 and 10,928 career runs to overtake his predecessor  as captain, Steve Waugh. Alan Border is the top run-scorer with  11,174.

The visitors needed just three balls to wrap up South  Africa’s first innings for 138, but captain Ponting chose not to  enforce the follow on.

Australia, who won the first test by 162 runs, scored 352 in  the first innings and will win the three-match series if they  triumph in the second test.