Sydney - similarities abound?

The 3rd Test between Australia and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground had amazing statistical similarities to the 1st Test. These stats were compiled by me at the start of Day 5; hence not really valid now, but still an interesting read I guess :P

                  | 1st Test | 3rd Test |
1st innings (Aus) |  375     |  445     |
2nd innings (SA)  |  281     |  327     |
== Lead   (Aus)   |   94     |  118     |
== Lead % (Aus)   |  25%     |  26%     |  (of 1st innings)
== Trail % (SA)   |  34%     |  36%     |  (of 2nd innings)
3rd innings (Aus) |  319     |  257/4d  |
== Target  (SA)   |  414     |  376     |
== Target / wicket|  41.4    |  41.7    |  (since SA only have 9 wickets in 3rd test)

As mentioned in the previous post, since Graeme Smith came out to bat with a broken hand, the last stat doesn't hold any more; just take it at it's face value and don't come at me swinging a cricket bat :P

This match also had remarkable similarities to the 2nd Test between Australia and India at the same venue at the same time last year.
Both matches were very important for Australia - last year the fight was on for glory as Australia tried to equal the world record of 16 Test wins on a trot; this year it was for pride as they hoped to bounce back from a 2-0 series loss and get themselves on the scoreboard.
Both games entered the final day with the visitors needing to bat out almost the entire day - last year Australia declared on Day 5 morning leaving India a rather unfanthomable target of 333 in about 2.5 sessions; this year South Africa went into the final day needing a further 314 runs with 9 wickets in hand.
Both games had some contentious umpiring decisions - last year on Day 1 of the test, Mark Benson gave Ricky Ponting 2 lives before Steve Bucknor gave a shocking life to Andrew Symonds when he was clearly caught behind (and I say 'clearly' because I was at the ground when it happened). More umpiring errors followed on Day 2 and then the final shockers on Day 5 - the 'catch' off the pad of Rahul Dravid and the controversial decision by Benson to take the Ponting's word on Saurav Ganguly's catch rather than refer to the 3rd umpire. This year, yet another close catch on the final day and Ponting puts his finger up when even his own bowler wasn't sure, replays showed some doubt, but Jacques Kallis was still given out. Later in the evening as the fight got even closer, Boucher was sent on his way with a shocker from Asoka de Silva.
Last year Australia got past the Indian rear-guard action with 7 balls left in the match. This year Australia got past the South African rear-guard action with 10 balls to spare.
The SCG surely is building up as a great venue for testing photo-finishes.