SA beat AUS by 322 runs | South Africa vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Test Match - Commentary
Australia in South Africa, 4 Test Series, 2018
Date: Mar 22, 2018 Start Time: 14:00 IST | 08:30 GMT | 10:30 LocalVenue: Newlands, Cape Town
South Africa vs Australia Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Match - Test Commentary
As far as describing this innings goes, South Africa got off to a great start yesterday but then suddenly experienced a collapse in the final session. From a position of dominance, they slipped and as a result, they managed only 311 on the board (looked set for 400-plus at one stage). Big credit goes to Pat Cummins for his effort, while the likes of Hazlewood and Lyon also contributed. Today, their ploy of bowling short cost them quite a few runs and they need to revisit their strategies. It was strange to see Starc not bowling to a tailender when he is known for his toe-crushing yorkers. Anyway, it's now the turn of the Australians to bat and let's see how they fare.
So, after frustrating the Aussies for almost an hour, South Africa get all out. Dean Elgar remains unbeaten and carries his bat (only the second batsman after Desmond Haynes to do so thrice in Test cricket). He once again is receiving a big ovation from the crowd on his way back. What a superlative effort by the southpaw! The visitors will be taking a big sigh of relief after picking the last two wickets. The overnight pair of Rabada and Elgar added a 50-run stand and took the total past the 300-run mark. The introduction of Lyon, however, resulted in both the remaining wickets falling in one over.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. OUT! Lyon finishes it up! Why did not Steven Smith bring him early on? The offie floats it up on off, it once again turns away a touch. Morkel lunges forward and tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes into the hands of Steven Smith at first slip who takes his second catch today and fifth in this innings. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 311!
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. FOUR! A mishit but a boundary. A loopy off spinner around middle and off, Morkel tries to heave it over the leg side but skies it over mid off from the leading half of his blade. No fielder in the deep and it trickles past the rope.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Very full on middle, kept out.
Morne Morkel is the last man in.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. OUT! Nathan Lyon strikes with his very first ball today. He was wicketless yesterday but does the job for his captain today. He tosses this one up nicely on off, it turns away a touch. Rabada goes after it as he tries to drive it through the off side. The away spin does him in as the ball takes the outside edge and flies towards Smith at first slip who takes a sharp catch. End of the 50-run stand, a frustrating one for Australia and a vital one for South Africa. A good knock by Rabada comes to an end and the Aussies get the breakthrough they wanted, a little too late though.
Nathan Lyon is into the attack for the first time today.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Length on middle, shapes back in. Elgar tries to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Stand and deliver stuff! Top shot! Fuller on middle, Elgar just stretches his arms and lofts it over the bowler's head but not sure whether it has gone all the way or has just bounced before. The umpires go upstairs to check and the replays show it has hit the ropes on the bounce. Boundary signaled. This also brings up the 50-run stand.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. The ball has found the edge of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Just as I write that, the short ball ploy almost pays off. Luck however is on Rabada's side. A short ball, a well-directed one. Rabada once again goes for the pull. The ball takes the top edge and goes towards fine leg. The keeper hares after it and also the fielder from fine leg but the ball lands in between the two for a run. This is frustrating for Australia and it could be seen on the face of Smith.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. The Australian bowlers are getting a little too predictable here. They keep banging it short and Rabada keeps ducking under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Fuller on off, Elgar strokes it towards the bowler who parries the ball and concedes a run.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Another short ball, Rabada evades. End of an eventful over.
Michael Holding is not at all impressed with the short stuff attempted by the Aussies. They have overdone it and Kagiso Rabada, in particular, has anticipated that and has survived so far. Mixing the length is the key.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Another play and miss! Another ball outside off, Rabada goes after if off the back foot but does not connect.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. OOOO! Shorter but not as short as the last three and the line is outside off. Rabada hangs his bat out and gets beaten.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Third bumper in a row and Kagiso quite easily ducks under it.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. This time he walks across the stumps, expecting to get a short one. He does get it but fails to put bat to it.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Bangs it half way down the track. Rabada is in no position to play the pull shot this time but still goes through with it. He however misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Closer to the off pole this time but not close enough for the batsman to play at it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, Dean keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. 300 up for South Africa, so 34 runs have already been scored today. Elgar flicks this through mid-wicket and calls for two immediately and gets it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. A very predictable delivery to follow up. The pacer gets hit for a boundary, tries to tuck the batsman up with a short ball in the next. Rabada being a pacer himself might have expected this as he is early into position and pulls it down towards fine leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! TOP SHOT! Any top order batsman will bee proud of the way KG played this. Full and on off, Rabada just puts his bat to this one and the ball races away down the ground, through mid off for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Beautifully bowled again! End of another good over by Cummins. He did go for a boundary, but all in all it was a good one. On a length around off, shaping away. Drawing the batsman into the stroke and then beating the outside edge.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fuller on off, Elgar drives it to covers.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Streaky but South Africa will take everything! Short and wider outside off, Elgar goes after it. The ball takes the outside edge and flies toward the third man fence. 28 runs added by the two today.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. BEATEN! On a length around off, shapes away a touch. Elgar goes fishing after it and gets beaten.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Quick, that was fiery! Another bouncer with a lot of venom. Rabada ducks under it at the very last moment. Paine behind the stumps, leaps but can only get a glove to it as it rolls towards third man for a bye.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Just behind a length on off, Rabada pushes it to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Just ahead of a length on off, Elgar keeps it out with a forward press.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Hazlewood comes around the wicket and lands it on a length around off, Elgar defends it onto the ground.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Scratch what I wrote last. Josh once again bangs it short and goes for a run as Rabada pulls it down towards fine leg.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Change of plan maybe by Australia now as they again bowl a length ball to Rabada. He works it to mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Fuller on off, by Josh to Rabada from over the wicket. Kagiso confidently drives it to mid off.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Cracked away to get to his highest score against the Australians in Tests. Short and sits up to be hit. Too easy for a batsman who has played more than 250 balls. He pulls it hard through mid-wicket and the ball races away.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, Elgar rocks back and defends it solidly.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fuller on off, eased to covers.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Changes the angle for the batsman who is playing on 126 and comes around the wicket. He also changes the length and bowls it fuller. Elgar keeps it out with a forward defense.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. These short balls are not going to do any harm to Rabada as he is playing these with ease. Short and on the body of the batsman. Kagiso rocks back and pulls it down to fine leg to change strike. 27 is now the partnership between the two.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! Fortune favours the brave and Rabada has been brave with the way he has played today. Another short ball on middle, once again we see it hurrying the batsman. He tries to play the pull but gets a top edge which flies over the keeper's head and into the fence.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Short again on middle, Rabada though is up for the challenge as he pulls it through square leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Ahead of the shorter length this time on middle, it shapes back in a touch. Rabada tries to keep it out but is done in by the inward movement. The ball hits him on the thigh pad and lobs towards gully who takes it on the bounce.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Very good running! Elgar this time drops the ball towards point. Rabada calls him for the run and Elgar obliges and they complete it with ease.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. A cheeky single! Fuller on middle, Rabada drives it towards mid on. He though does not connect well. He sets off for a run. Warner from mid off, runs to his left, gets to the ball with a dive but is unable to pick it up cleanly. Had he picked it up, it could have been close.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Shorter in length again, it keeps coming in with the angle. Rabada even before he could get his bat down to defend it is hit on the glove and luckily for him the ball rolls towards gully. Josh is able to generate good pace from the surface, he is really hurrying the batsman here.
We are shown a clip where the South Africans were going through their drills before the match and a certain Kagiso Rabada collided with AB de Villiers while running. Mike Haysman jokes on air - 'Rabada is causing mayhem all over the place!' The camera then panned to the South African dressing room where Faf du Plessis was seen laughing. Haha!
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Hits the deck nice and hard again on off, Elgar off the back foot, tries to guide it through backward point but hits it to the fielder there.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, Elgar blocks it out.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fuller on off, closer to the off pole. Elgar eases it to mid off.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Throws in the wide one outside off, the sucker ball. Cummins gets some extra bounce on that one as well. Elgar tries to drive but is done in by the bounce and the ball whizzes past the outside edge.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Lovely stuff! On a length around off, it shapes away a touch. Elgar tries to play at it but gets beaten.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR BYES! The pitch has surely quickened up as Warne had mentioned in the pitch report. Josh bowls it short, it is not very short but that keeps climbing. Rabada goes for the pull but misses. The ball also beats the keeper and goes down to the fine leg fence.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Fuller on middle, Elgar eases it towards the bowler who makes a half stop. The ball goes towards mid off and the batsmen take a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. In the air... but safe! Josh bangs it in short, a delivery which he bowled really well yesterday. Rabada takes on the challenge of pulling but is hurried onto the shot. The ball takes the top edge and balloons towards square leg where there is no fielder. A run taken by the batsmen.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Angles it into the pads of the batsman. Elgar tries to keep it out but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Drags his length back and bowls it shorter on middle, Rabada works it through mid-wicket for a run. His first for today.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Starts off with a poor ball, down the leg side. Elgar flicks it to fine leg for an easy run. No swing for Hazlewood on that delivery.
Josh Hazlewood will bowl from the other end. He was really good yesterday, let us see if he can continue the same?
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Back of a length ball on middle, Rabada covers the line of the delivery and defends it solidly. A good over by Cummins to start up with, just a run off it.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Shortish again but outside off, Kagiso makes a nice leave.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. There comes the bumper aimed at the body of the batsman. Rabada maybe was expecting it as he ducks under it.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. He changes his angle and goes over the wicket for Rabada. There is a short leg and a leg gully in place so there might be something short coming up. He though bowls it on a length, making use of the angle as the ball slants across the batsman. Rabada tries to keep it out but gets beaten.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fuller this time on off, stump. Elgar strokes it through covers for the first run of the day.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Starts off with a length ball but way outside off, Elgar need not play at those and he lets it through.
We are all set for the first session of the second day to begin. Dean Elgar and Kagiso Rabada make their way out to the middle. The former will take strike to Pat Cummins who will start the proceedings for Australia. He has two slips and a gully. Here we go...
Pitch - There are a few burn marks on the surface and it has dried up a little bit. There was basically nothing in it yesterday in the first session, barring a few overs up front. Shaun Pollocks feels it will grip a touch today and Shane Warne adds that there will be some extra pace in it as well which will be also good for stroke making. The former South African skipper goes on to inform that the hosts haven't opted for a roller today and reckons there will be some movement early on.
Dean Elgar is next. He says it was a special feeling to score a ton yesterday. Accepts that he was due for a big one and finally got one under his belt. Is really satisfied with his effort and that too against a quality bowling attack which pleases him all the more. Adds the ball in Cape Town isn't doing much which is also a factor of him getting amongst runs.
Pat Cummins is up for a chat. He says they had a long day yesterday and admits that he felt quite ordinary in his first few spells. Informs the end from which he got wickets he had the wind behind and that helped him. Quips that it was a plan to bowl a half-volley to AB de Villiers and smiles as it worked for them. Agrees towards the end the legs get heavy but he tries to put in his all to not let the pace dip. Calls the pitch a true one and that the bowlers will have a tough time.
We witnessed an enthralling day of Test cricket yesterday. It was all South Africa for the first two sessions and boosted by Elgar's hundred, the Proteas were cruising. However, their charge suddenly met a roadblock in the name of Pat Cummins. The Aussie speedster in an inspirational spell took the wind out of South Africa's sails and forced a collapse. At one stage, the hosts looked set for a total in excess of 400 but now they find themselves 34 runs short of even reaching the 300-run mark with two wickets in the bank. Their only hope is pinned on Dean Elgar again and let's see how he performs with the tail.
...DAY 2, FIRST SESSION...
It's time to take your leave. We witnessed an outstanding day of Test match where the pendulum swung towards the Aussies after staying on South Africa's side for most parts. Let's hope for an exciting day 2 as well. Do join us at 1030 local (0830 GMT) for all the action. Until then, goodbye and cheers!
Australia find themselves in a good position suddenly but they too will be aware that they weren't up to the mark. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, two of their premier bowlers, were off colour and the attack looked blunt. The heroic effort of Pat Cummins brought them back in the match and they would hope that the rest of their bowlers take inspiration from it. It will be injustice not to mention about Josh Hazlewood who provided the first couple of wickets and that reminds me of the dropped catch by Lyon which gave life to Dean Elgar on 53 off Josh's bowling. That must be hurting the Aussies although the effect will be a little less after Pat's burst.
Leaving aside the collapse where the home team lost their six batsmen for only 37 runs, there was one man who stood tall. He stroked a remarkable century and is still unbeaten. He changed his approach slightly from the last Test match. From being over defensive to becoming positive, we have witnessed a new Dean Elgar in the Newlands Test. The southpaw played some delightful shots today and the hosts will be expecting him to continue tomorrow and add crucial runs with the tail.
It was going all hunky-dory for the Proteas as they were cruising after scoring in excess of 200 for the loss of just two wickets. Then came a moment when Steven Smith handed the ball to Pat Cummins. It was the 63rd over. The youngster from NSW took the game by the scruff of the neck and ran amok. His spell accounted for four wickets where he completely destroyed the South African middle order. Courtesy his supreme performance, Australia roared back in the game in the evening session and now will be looking to restrict South Africa under 300.
A cracking day of Test cricket! Mouthwatering stuff! South Africa bossed the first couple of sessions to push Australia on the back foot. First with Hashim Amla and then with AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar constructed a couple of magnificent stands. The home team went into the tea break well in front and would have hoped to further stamp their authority in the last session. But...they fell at the wrong end of a certain Pat Cummins.
The umpires get together and take a reading of the fading light. They feel it's not conducive to carry on. Out walk the players. Dean Elgar is receiving a standing ovation and he raises his bat to acknowledge that. For the moment, bad light has stopped play but looking at things, we don't think any more overs will be possible. Mike Haysman (on air) feels the umpires got carried away and should have continued as the sun going behind the table mountains resulted in the deterioration of the natural light. Anyway, the players are off and we get the official confirmation for STUMPS ON DAY 1!
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Fractionally short and angling into the batsman, Rabada defends it from the back foot to mid on. Survives, KG!
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Sharp delivery, angling into the batsman, Rabada swings but misses. It goes behind off his thigh pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. That wasn't too far away from the stumps! Movement back into the batsman from around off, Rabada looks to defend from the back foot and nearly brought it back onto the stumps.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Extra bounce from a length around off, Elgar takes his eyes off the ball and bottom hand off his bat as he fends at it awkwardly. It goes off the inside half of to square leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Lands it on a length outside off and angles it in, Elgar lunges and defends it from the upper half of his bat to covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Second new ball has been taken.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! Oh, that's a really nice shot. When it comes off, it always looks nice. Maharaj was also attempting the same. Shows there is a very little margin between earning praise and criticism. Starc serves it on a length outside off, Rabada spots his area and drives it through covers for a glorious boundary.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Back of a length delivery on off, Rabada sticks back to play it down towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Play and a miss! Starc tries to tempt the batsman with another wide delivery outside off, Rabada flashes and misses.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Around off on a length, Rabada strokes it through covers and collects a brace.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Pushes it wide of mid on and takes a single.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. A length ball just outside off, Elgar plays at it as an afterthought and taps it down towards gully. Not in any control.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Edged but safe! Ooohhh...that nearly carried to second slip. Hazlewood manages to generate some extra bounce on this occasion and it takes Rabada by surprise. He tries to push at it and gets some part of his gloves. It lobs in the air but falls short of Steven Smith.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. A length ball on off, this time Rabada hits it through the line and finds mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Back of a length delivery outside off, it's punched from the crease to point.
Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada. Angles in a fuller length ball on off, Rabada brings his bat down in time and keeps it out towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Straighter in line, Elgar works it through square leg and takes a single. Exposes Rabada here.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Elgar has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. A bouncer to greet the new batsman. Rabada probably anticipated that as he ducks underneath it.
There is some buzz around the stadium as KAGISO RABADA makes his way out to bat. Dean Elgar has a quiet word with him.
Mitchell Starc to Keshav Maharaj. OUT! Got him! Maharaj won't be happy with that shot, South Africa should not be happy with that. This is just not done with one batsman set at the other end and crying for some support. Starc hurls across a length ball outside off, Maharaj opts for the full-blooded cover drive but fails to middle it properly. Ends up hitting it on the up and straight into the hands of Bancroft at short cover. Lack of match awareness shown by the South African spinner. He trudges back.
Mitchell Starc to Keshav Maharaj. Fullish and on middle, pushed out to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Keshav Maharaj. On a good length around off, Maharaj defends it from the back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Keshav Maharaj. Shout for an lbw! Starc steams in from around the wicket and spears in a full ball on middle and leg. Maharaj is beaten for pace as he fails to keep it out. Gets rapped on the pads, they appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. Missing leg.
Mitchell Starc to Keshav Maharaj. Width on offer outside off, Maharaj swings his bat and gets a top edge over the keeper. They take a couple. He will surely not die wondering.
Mitchell Starc is back on with 25 minutes left for stumps. It's the same old ball he is bowling with...
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Mitchell Marsh to Keshav Maharaj. Gets behind the line and works it on the leg side. A single taken.
Mitchell Marsh to Keshav Maharaj. Edged but safe! It's on a length in the line of the stumps, Maharaj is squared up completely as he plays at it. It takes the outside edge and rolls towards gully.
Keshav Maharaj joins Dean Elgar who is fast running out of partners.
Mitchell Marsh to Vernon Philander. OUT! Marsh snaps a wicket, it's that end again from where Cummins did all the damage. A good probing line just around off, it's served on a length and Philander without moving his feet pushes inside the line. Gets a thin outside edge and Paine does the rest. The appeal is a mere formality as the umpire raises his finger almost immediately. South Africa continue to slip further.
Mitchell Marsh to Vernon Philander. Nearly a run out! Philander taps a length ball to the off side and sets off for a quick single. Elgar is quick to send him back as a fielder attacks the ball. The replays show that there was some extra bounce and actually Vernon did well to play that one with gentle hands.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Pushes a full ball down the ground through mid off and scampers across to the other end.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Fires this one in, fuller on off, Philander keeps it out safely towards mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Slower this time, 85 kph, Philander defends it with the spin.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. A touch short and turning back in, Vernon goes deep inside the crease and defends.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Pushed quicker through the air, 91 kph, full and on off, defended back again.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Loopy full ball on off, Vernon strides forward and defends it back.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tossed up ball outside off, turning back in a bit, Philander stays back to play inside the line and edges it past first slip. They take a couple.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Goes full on this occasion and drops it on the middle stump line, Elgar eases it down to mid on.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Beaten! Very tough to play those for the left-handers. Marsh delivers it from wide of the crease and angles it on a length. Elgar looks to play at it but the ball straightens to beat the outside edge.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Josh Hazlewood is loosening up. Are these the signs that Australia will take the second new ball?
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Tidy line, keeping it just around off, Elgar defends it back by covering the line.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Takes his front leg forward and pushes a length ball to short cover.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Angles in a length ball on off, Elgar gets behind the line and defends.
Second new ball is available now. Will Australia take it? The artificial lights are also switched on. For the moment, it seems that the visitors are happy with the old nut. Marsh to continue...
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Loopy off spinner landing full outside off, Philander strides forward and blocks.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. With the turn, Philander helps it to square leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. This time Philander gets across the stumps and defends it nicely.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Spin and bounce from outside off, Philander gets across the stumps and tries to defend but it takes an inside edge before hitting him on the pads.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Spinning back in a touch from outside off, Philander decides to defend it from the crease and gets an inside edge past short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flatter and on off, worked across the line but straight to mid-wicket.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Full and outside off, Elgar drives it towards mid off.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Once again Elgar defends it from the crease. With the keeper up to the stumps, Dean has to be watchful.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Serves it on a length around off, Dean defends it from the back foot.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Full and on middle, Elgar plays a good looking straight drive down the ground. A tired Cummins chases it from mid on while Hazlewood gets to it first from mid off. Stops it near the fence and saves a couple of runs for his team.
Mitchell Marsh to Vernon Philander. Shortish and outside off, Vernon stands back and steers it through backward point for a run.
Mitchell Marsh to Vernon Philander. On a length wide outside off, Philander allows it through.
Mitchell Marsh replaces Cummins. 8-3-12-4, Pat's last spell.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. This time Elgar reads the length late, has his weight on the back foot which in a way helped him in keeping it out safely. Had he committed himself on the front foot, he could have been in trouble.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Once again that awkward open stance is on show as Elgar gets behind the line of the delivery in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Tossed up ball on middle, Elgar with an open stance defends it back.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Elgar has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Goes flatter through the air, Elgar remains back in defense.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. On a length and outside off, Philander shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. FOUR! Wow, heard about fighting fire with fire? This shot is all about that. Cummins bowls a sharp short delivery around off, Philander hangs back and pulls it disdainfully in front of square leg. A boundary results.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Bouncer, well read by the batsman as he ducks.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Beaten! Around off on a length, straightening a bit as Philander feels for it. Gets beaten as it whistles past the edge.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Outside off, left alone. For how long can Smith carry on with Cummins' spell? Into his 8th over now.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Bowls it flatter and on middle, Elgar gets forward and defends it on the leg side.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Allows the ball to turn back in from around off and then eases it behind square leg for one.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Full flighted on middle, knocked through mid off for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Stays back and punches it on the off side.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flatter on middle, helped to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Vernon Philander strides in next.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Quinton de Kock is out of here and Australia are all over South Africa like a rash. Cummins delivers this one from wide of the crease and keeps his length on the shorter side. It straightens a bit too after reaching the batsman on that angle as de Kock shapes up for the pull shot. Fails to make proper connection and gets a slight bottom edge behind. That will do as Paine catches and the Aussies let out a vociferous appeal. Up goes the finger and the visiting team is delighted. This spell from Cummins has taken the wind out of South Africa's sails. Top stuff.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. On a length and outside off, it's stroked through cover-point for a run.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Keeps it full and angles it into the southpaw, Elgar pushes it out towards mid on.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. This one is way wide outside off on a fuller length, Elgar leaves. Not sure whether it was deliberate or Cummins missed his radar. The strategy could have been to suck Elgar into a drive.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Drops this one on a length outside off, Elgar works it on the leg side, not from the middle of the bat though.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Cummins at the moment is bowling fire. Although it was a misdirected short ball, it was venomous and Elgar does really well to get away from the line of fire.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. De Kock has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Strides forward to drive it through mid off for one.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Presses forward and drives it past the diving extra cover fielder for a single.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Beaten! Turn and bounce around off, de Kock is caught pushing and missing inside the line. That's encouraging, not just for Lyon but also for Keshav Maharaj. All of a sudden, it's moving and spinning. Things fall of wickets can do to a team.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Too full and around leg, de Kock exposes his stumps a bit and then pushes it with the spin to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flighted and full around off, de Kock gets on the front foot and defends it with firm hands to the off side.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. A good bumper to end the over! Elgar evades it.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Changes the angle and goes over the wicket. He bowls it on a length outside off, the batsman lets it be.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Shortish outside off, Elgar leaves it.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Shorter in length outside off, guided to gully.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, Elgar defends it off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fullish on off, Elgar tries to drive it through the off side but gets it off the inner half back towards the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flatter on middle, kept out off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Shorter in length outside off, guided towards point for a quick run.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Uses his feet, tries to be positive but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He works it to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Tosses it up on middle, defended.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Dances down the track and drives it back to the bowler.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. A bumper outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Fuller on off, driven through covers for a brace, to get off the mark.
Quinton de Kock walks out to the middle. The players in the meantime take drinks.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma. OUT! Another one bites the dust! Australia are on fire at the moment. It is that man Cummins again who has his third and all in one spell. He comes steaming in and lands it on a length around off, a similar delivery to the one he got Faf with but this one is closer to the off pole. Bavuma has to play at it and he does so off the back foot. The ball though once again shapes away a little and that brings about the batsman's downfall. It kisses the edge and goes into the hands of Steven Smith at second slip who does not drop it. His third catch and Australia have fought their way back into the contest. Not a good return into the team for Bavuma as his stay was short.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma. PEACH! How do you play those? You just have to hope that misses the edge of the bat. On a length around off, first it angles into the batsman and then shapes away after pitching. Bavuma tries to defend but the ball beats the outside edge.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma. On a length around off, Bavuma shoulders his arms to it.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. On the stumps, Elgar keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Fuller on off, Bavuma plays it down towards mid on and is off the blocks immediately and completes the run.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Flatter on off, turning back in. Bavuma goes back and nudges it to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Very full on off, driven down to mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Tosses it up on off, it's worked with the turn towards short leg.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Wide outside off, Elgar makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Bouncer outside off, Elgar evades it.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma. Down the leg side, Bavuma goes for the flick but misses. The ball brushes the pads and goes down to fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma. Fuller on off, driven down towards mid off where Mitchell Marsh makes an excellent stop diving to his right. The Australians will now look to squeeze out the runs, they have their tails up.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma. Wide outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma. BEATEN! An absolute beauty there by Cummins. He lands it on a length around off, it shapes away a touch, Bavuma tries to defend but gets beaten.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flighted ball on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Loopy ball on off, Elgar drives it uppishly but well short of the fielder at covers.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flatter on off, defended.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Floats it up on middle, Elgar blocks it.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Tosses it up on middle, it's kept out.
Temba Bavuma strides out to the middle. He is making a comeback in the team after an injury layoff, can he do well?
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. OUT! Gone, one brings two and that is exactly the case here. Cummins is bowling an excellent spell, he gets his second. Comes running in and lands it on a shortish length around off and it shapes away ever so slightly after pitching. Faf stays back and feels for it inside the line. Hangs his bat out and the ball takes a thick outside edge before flying towards Steven Smith at second slip. An easy catch for the Aussie skipper. Du Plessis has to walk back and his sorry form continues. A good phase of play here for the Australians.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Wide outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Firmly driven but straight to Warner. Full ball on off, eased off the middle to covers. Faf will be disappointed he did not put it away.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. On a length around off, kept out.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Another bumper on middle, Faf evades it.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flatter on middle, tucked towards square leg.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Tosses it up on middle, defended.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Loopy ball on off, no turn on offer as Elgar with the angle plays it towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Floats it on middle, worked across the line towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Very full on middle, almost a yorker, jammed out.
Nathan Lyon is back into the attack.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Textbook cover drive! Has not been in great touch but this shot was perfect. Not a half volley but slightly full outside off. Faf leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. A bumper on middle, Faf ducks under it.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Fullish on off, eased to mid off.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Just ahead of a length on off, blocked.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. On a length, the bowler gets extra bounce. Faf does well to take one hand off the handle and keep it out.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. The batsman has dug out that yorker at the last second.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Shortish on off, Elgar guides it down to third man. Smith hares after it, dives and does well to save two runs for his side.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. They manage to come back for the second.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. On the pads again, flicked down to fine leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Down the leg side, worked through square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR BYES! Very wayward that from Starc, sums up his day today. Way down the leg side, the keeper has no chance and it races away.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Back of a length on off, defended.
Faf du Plessis comes out to bat.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. OUT! The bowling change has worked wonders! But it is a very soft dismissal for de Villiers. Australia have the man who they so desperately wanted. Cummins bowls a ball just ahead of a length on off, de Villiers goes hard at it as he tries to drive it on the up. He, however, fails to place it better and gives a simple catch to Warner at mid off who accepts it gleefully. End of a big 128-run stand and the Australians will be delighted to see the back of ABD as he looked destined for nothing less than a daddy hundred. Nevertheless, an outstanding knock by him comes to an end as he walks off to a standing ovation. Australia will now look to build on this and pick a few more before stumps.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Good fielding! Full and outside off, Elgar square drives it on the off side. Lyon at point dives to his left and saves at least a couple for his side.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Good length outside off, makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. On a length outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins is back into the attack.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Full ball in the zone for ABD. He mistimes it to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. A very full ball on off, driven back to the bowler.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Trying too hard here is Starc as he fires this down the leg side. AB misses the flick and the keeper collects it.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Right off the middle but straight to the fielder! Fuller on middle, driven crisply towards mid on who makes a good stop.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. EDGY FOUR! Frustrating, very frustrating for Australia. The expression on Starc's face says it all. On a length around off, it straightens after landing. ABD tries to play the forward defense with soft hands. The ball though takes the outside edge and goes all along the ground through the gap between gully and third slip for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, de Villiers defends it solidly.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Short, not at the same pace as he was bowling in the afternoon session. Elgar stands tall, transfers his weight on the back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for another boundary. Runs are leaking here now.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Down the leg side, worked around the corner for a run. The umpire signals it as a leg bye and the replays later on show it to be brushing the pads and missing the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Pulls his length back on off, ABD keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Go fetch that says AB! A half-volley on off, you still got to put it away though and de Villiers puts it away with ease. Strokes it past the bowler with the full face of the bat and it runs away to the fence.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Fuller on middle, worked through mid-wicket and he bagged a three. Starc has been poor today. He has gone for 62 in his 17 overs.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Length ball, closer to the off pole but not close enough for the batsman to play at it.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Full and wide outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Fuller on the pads, worked towards wide mid on for a quick run.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Follows the full ball up with a bouncer. Ducked under. Australia trying everything here but everything till now has not been enough.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Very full on off, Elgar jams it out.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Fifty for ABD now, his 44th in Tests. It has been an innings where he has dealt in boundaries and he brings it up with one. It was an excellent over till now but has been spoilt by this shot by de Villiers. Short and on the hips. It comes at a good height for de Villiers. He rocks back and whips it through backward square leg and the ball races away. It also brings the 200 up for South Africa. They are cruising along at the moment.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Back of a length on off, de Villiers gets nicely behind it and defends it.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Fuller on middle, driven to mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Wide outside off, not played at.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Shorter in length outside off, chopped to point.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Good length outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR! 100 for Elgar, his 11th in this format. The way he celebrates shows how much it means to him. It has been a long time coming for the left-hander, his first after 12 innings and it has come against a quality bowling attack. He gets a gift to reach that milestone, a full ball on middle, he loves it there. Flicks it through wide mid on and the ball races away. He lets out a loud roar as soon as he made the connection. Elgar receives a bear hug from AB and also David Warner appreciates the effort by clapping quietly. Dean should not relax now, a big one is there for the taking.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Fuller on the pads, flicked through square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. NO BALL! Oversteps this time and bowls it on a length outside off, AB lets it be.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. 100-run stand comes up between the two. It has been a really entertaining one and the crowd is up applauding the effort. De Villiers flicks it with the angle through square leg for a brace. He moves onto 48. AB has been the dominant partner in this stand but just by 4 runs. Elgar, uncharacteristically, has contributed 44 runs in this stand.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Comes around the wicket. He will now look to angle it in on off and then hope for the ball to straighten. He bowls that length but the ball goes straight on as de Villiers defends it towards gully.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. No hundred for Elgar in this over, he remains on 96. Length ball around off, Dean blocks it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. A bouncer! This time maybe Elgar was not expecting it as he ducks under it at the very last moment.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Back to bowling length on middle, defended.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Bangs it half way down the track on middle, saw this ploy used by the Australians a lot in the afternoon session. Elgar ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Fuller this time on off, driven to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Continues what he has been doing the whole day today. Lands it on a length around off, Elgar keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood will bowl from the other end. He has been Australia's most impressive bowler today and has two wickets to his name. Can he take another?
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Now 96 with the single off the last ball as he flicks it down to fine leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR! This time he over compensates and bowls it very full outside off, a half-volley. Easy pickings for Elgar as he eases it through covers and the ball races away. He moves onto 95.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Good bowling! He bowled a full one to start with then two length balls and now goes short on off. Elgar though is watching the ball quite well as he evades it.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. On the stumps, no extra bounce on this one as Elgar plays it onto the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. BEAUTY! Bounce, pace there was everything on this one! He comes steaming in and lands it on a length around off, it zips off the surface and also bounces more than expected. Elgar trusting the wicket goes for the drive on the up but the ball just about whizzes past the outside edge.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Starts off with a full ball on off, looking for some reverse swing which we saw before the break. There was none on this delivery as Elgar strokes it to mid off.
We have 35 overs to be bowled in the final session. So we are in for a long one as the players and the umpires make their way out to the middle. The break did work for the Australians last time as they got a wicket after it, will it work in their favor again? Let us wait and watch as Dean Elgar will take strike to Mitchell Starc.
... Day 1, Session 3 ...
Elgar has moved into the 90s while de Villiers is approaching another fifty. Their partnership is reaching the 100-run mark as well and it has come in a quick time. For Australia, they will try to make use of the reverse swing which was visible just before the tea break. They need wickets to stop South Africa's charge at the moment and failing to do so will result in them staring at a big first innings total. Do join us in a short while.
Yet another excellent session enjoyed by South Africa. They managed to score more than 100 runs in it for the loss of Amla's wicket. The change in strategy from Australia post lunch fetched them a wicket. The short pitch bowling resulted in the departure of Hashim Amla but since then AB de Villiers has joined forces with Dean Elgar, and together, they have punished the Aussie bowlers. The latter offered a chance when he was on 53 but Lyon dropped a sitter. Another half chance just before tea wasn't taken by Smith but to be honest, that was a really tough one.
Steven Smith to AB de Villiers. Shortish and wide outside off, de Villiers cracks it off his back foot but finds the point fielder. That will be tea on day 1!
Steven Smith to AB de Villiers. Huge shout for an lbw! Not given. Mind you, that looked quite close. A floated full ball drifting into the batsman and landing around middle. It straightens a bit after hitting the surface, beats the forward defensive prod of AB and raps him on the back leg. They appeal unsuccessfully. Steven Smith ain't taking DRS off his bowling for sure. The replays roll in and it shows to be heading over the stumps. Good call, skip!
Steven Smith to AB de Villiers. AB has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Steven Smith to AB de Villiers. Tossed up ball around off, driven back to the bowler.
Steven Smith to AB de Villiers. Four leg byes! Sliding down the leg side again, de Villiers fails to put bat to ball and it clips his pads before screaming away to the fine leg fence.
Steven Smith to AB de Villiers. Flatter and down the leg side, AB tries to paddle it around the corner but misses.
Skipper Steven Smith to bowl what could be the last over of this session.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Was that dropped? Looks like but it was a toughie. Full in length and outside off, Elgar tries to play a booming cover drive but gets a big fat edge behind. It flies to the left of Steven Smith at second slip, the Aussie skipper goes airborne, sticks his left hand out but fails to pouch it. It has sped away to the fence. Full marks for the effort. Would have been a stunner had Steven Smith caught it.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. A delightful cover drive from the bat of de Villiers and it races through. Warner also races behind it from covers and dives forward to pull it back. The umpire checks upstairs and finds it cleanly done. Saves one run for his team.
The keeper comes up.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Angling into the batsman from around off, de Villiers strides forward and defends.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. A good length ball on off, defended off the back foot.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. On a full length outside off, de Villiers once again shoulders arms to allow it through. The ball curled in a fair bit after going past the batsman and Paine collects the ball to his left.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Serves in the good channel, de Villiers chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Good length delivery just outside off, Elgar taps it down in front of gully.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Spears a full ball on middle and off, shaping away just a touch, Elgar does well to defend it back. Cummins makes a half stop in his followthrough and then steps on the ball, seems accidental.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Gets very full and bowls it around off, Elgar drives it down to mid on. Not much timing as it wasn't properly middled.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Works a length ball outside off to the leg side. It's in the gap at mid-wicket and they cross.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Sliding down the leg side, de Villiers fails to flick and it goes off his pads to the left of the keeper. By the time Paine gets to it, the batsmen run a leg bye.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Fuller and outside off, driven wide of mid off for a single.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Oversteps this time and bowls it on a length outside off. Elgar leaves it. Marsh hasn't looked in rhythm, even when he returns to his bowling mark, his movement is quite gingerly.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Goes very full with his length this time, not allowing the ball to do enough, Elgar digs it out to the off side.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Interesting delivery. Marsh lands it on a good length outside off and gets it to tail away after pitching. Elgar allows it through. It's reversing for sure and Australia would like to utilize it to their benefit.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Good length delivery just outside off, Elgar covers the line before shouldering arms.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Angles in a length ball around off, Elgar gets forward and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Wide! A gentle loosener. Marsh speeds in from around the wicket and sprays it way wide outside off. Elgar is in no mood to chase it.
Mitchell Marsh is brought back into the attack with tea approaching.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. FOUR! An inswinger from Cummins but the line already is too straight and de Villiers picks it up immediately. He shows no qualms in putting it away through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Cummins keeps his line around off and serves it on a fuller length, AB probably was looking to play it on the leg side but fails to close the face of the bat properly. It comes out from the outside half of the bat and rolls to mid off.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Back of a length delivery on off, de Villiers remains on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Cummins bends his back and bowls a short delivery around off, de Villiers drops his wrists and lets it be.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. A little bit of reverse swing there. On a length outside off, shaping away with the shine, AB shoulders arms. That will bring smile on the Australian faces. They have relied heavily on reverse swing in this series.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Bowls this one with a nice loop, however, it still clocks in the 90s, around off and Elgar presses forward to push it to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Lyon pushes this one quicker through the air around off, Elgar goes on the back foot in defense.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Loopy and around off, de Villiers defends it quietly.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Gets on the front foot and drives it through mid off for a run.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Gets behind the line of the delivery and defends to end the over.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. In the zone outside off, AB has nothing to do with it.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Places a full ball outside off and forces de Villiers to come forward. AB drives it through the line but finds the cover-point fielder. A little bit of a moral victory for the bowler as he succeeded in getting the batsman forward.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Full in length and around off, good pace, de Villiers defends it to mid on.
Pat Cummins is inserted back into the attack.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Full floated around off, Elgar gets forward and across to flick it towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Short and punished. Lyon errs with his line and length and Elgar shows no mercy in putting it away. Goes deep inside the crease and cracks it through point for a boundary.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Cuts down his length a bit and fires it around off, Elgar goes on the back foot in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Loopy full ball around middle, Elgar takes a big stride forward and defends it back.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Quicker through the air, full and on middle, de Villiers flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Tossed up ball around middle and off, AB gets forward and defends it back. This is the first ball from Lyon to de Villiers after quite a while.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Back of a length delivery on off, Dean covers the line and keeps it out safely to the off side.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Bouncer, down the leg side, Elgar evades it with ease.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Leg slip moves to deep square leg.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR! A bit uppish but safe. A length ball is angling down the leg side, Elgar flicks it off his pads and it goes aerially past Bancroft at short leg. Too quick for him as before he could react, the ball has already gone past and reached the fence behind.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Fuller and straighter, de Villiers tickles it through the gap at mid-wicket for three runs.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Another watchful back foot defense to end the over.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Skidding back into the batsman from around off, Elgar is on the back foot as he blocks it to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Gets on the front foot to a full ball and blocks it safely.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. No run.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Beauty! Flatter delivery around off, just a hint of away spin, Elgar pushes inside the line and misses.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. After being too straight for the first few deliveries, Starc has decided to stay away from de Villiers' range. Wide outside off, left alone. Wonder, whether it falls as a negative tactics or not because generally it is considered so for deliveries down the leg side. Read somewhere that Starc was not happy with his skipper for telling him to bowl wide to AB in the previous Test. Seems, Mitch has reverted to that tactics to save himself from getting hit.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Angling away from the batsman, outside off, AB leaves it alone.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Easily done. On the pads and AB works it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 10 off 3 balls, 20 in last 9, South Africa have upped the scoring ante.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. FOUR! And again. He looks so good while playing these attacking shots. Starc is on the shorter side around middle, AB remains on the back foot and hammers his pull over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. FOUR! AB has decided to take on Starc. Gets a delivery in the straighter line and he just picks it up off his pads. Makes nice connection and sends it to the deep mid-wicket fence. The 50-run stand is up between the two and this one has come up in quick time.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flatter on off, Elgar shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 10 from the over.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Elgar has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. SIX! Elgar is out to win fans with his stroke play. Was criticized a bit for his brand of batting in Port Elizabeth but today in Newlands it's a new Elgar. Advances down the track this time as the bowler pulls back his length slightly and lifts it nonchalantly over long on for a biggie. Lyon has frustration written all over his face.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Another front foot defense by Elgar. Reading the line and spin (if any) quite easily.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Tossed up ball around off, fuller in length, Elgar leans forward in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. FOUR! This is a completely different Elgar, I'm telling you. His approach is very positive, contrasting to the previous Test match. He is not putting away only the bad balls but some of the good balls have also travelled to the fence. Part of credit goes to this batting beauty also. A flighted full ball on middle, Elgar is down the track in a flash and plays a silky flick shot past the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. Looking extremely at ease in the middle, particularly against the off spinner.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. A back foot defense by AB de Villiers to end the over.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Back of a length ball on off, AB stands back and taps it down to covers.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Bowls it in the channel outside off, on a good length, de Villiers shoulders arms.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Goes full and on middle, de Villiers flicks it across the line but fails to middle it properly. It has gone straight to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Angling away from the batsman, on a shortish length outside off, AB lets it through to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Good length delivery around off, de Villiers defends it back from the crease.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Allows the ball to do its bit around off and then Elgar taps it to the off side.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Elgar has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Excellent use of the feet by Elgar. He advances down to the pitch of the delivery and strokes it with the spin through extra cover. The mid off stands no chance to pull it back.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Tossed up ball around off, de Villiers pushes it towards extra cover and takes a run.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Loopy and on middle, de Villiers strides forward and defends it on the leg side.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flighted and around off, de Villiers walks forward and pushes it back to the bowler.
Drinks!
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Shorter in length on off, Elgar hops and keeps it out.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. This one is outside off and Dean makes a leave.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Good bowling this! Varying his length nicely, showing that he is not too predictable. On a length around off, Elgar blocks it.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. NASTY! A brute of a delivery this one! Starc bangs it short and a well-directed one. Elgar is surprised by it and is late onto the shot. He tries to fend it away with one hand off the handle. The ball hits the glove and goes onto the ground. Lucky for him as that could have ballooned up in the air.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Down the leg side, Elgar misses the flick and it goes to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Full and on the pads, de Villiers flicks it towards square leg. The fielder there dives to his left to make a half stop and the batsmen sneak a run.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flighted ball on middle, goes on with the arm. Elgar covers the line and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Tosses it up on middle, once again there is no turn on off. Elgar lunges forward and blocks it quite easily.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Very full on the pads, flicked through mid-wicket to change the strike.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Tosses it up on middle, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Fires it on the pads, Elgar tries to flick but misses.
Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. He got no spin in the first session, interesting to see how he goes in this one.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Luck is going South Africa's way here! Once again a streaky boundary. Starc will be tearing his hair out here as this is the second time this has happened in this over. On a length around off, AB tries to push it through the off side off the back foot but gets an outside edge which goes through the gap between the slips and the gully for the second boundary of the over.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. A yorker on off, de Villiers digs it out.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Wide outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Edgy but Elgar won't mind. A bumper outside off, Elgar goes after it but gets an outside edge through the slip cordon and the ball races away. Also this brings up 3000 Test runs for Elgar, he is the 15th South African to do so.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Remember the Ashes 2017? Remember how Starc bowled to Malan? Well this is exactly the plan they are using against Elgar. Around the wicket and bangs it in short on the body. Elgar blocks it onto the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. NO BALL! He comes around the wicket which is a clear indication of him bowling some short stuff. He though over steps and bangs it short. Elgar defends it.
Mitchell Starc is back on.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Once again outside off, hoping de Villiers loses his patience and goes after it. But he keeps his head and makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Length outside off, AB is not going to play those.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Outside off, good carry on the ball. AB de Villiers lets it be.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, kept out.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Short ball and put away! A half tracker outside off, it is asking to be hit and de Villiers does exactly that as he slaps it over point.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Goes full, not exactly the yorker but a change in length to surprise the batsman. He is up for it and keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. No, it is another short ball, maybe the next ball. Elgar quite comfortably ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Another short ball on middle, Elgar ducks under it. Now that is three short balls in a row, yorker coming up? Elgar better be ready for it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. A bumper at the body of the batsman, nudged towards short leg.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. BANG! That has hit the batsman flush on the helmet! Another short ball by Hazlewood which hurries the batsman as he goes for the pull. He misses as the ball hits the badge and lobs towards the slip cordon where Smith runs behind and takes it. There is a muted appeal by the players but nothing from the umpire. Elgar now takes a breather as he takes his helmet off and sips a bottle of water. There is also a change of helmet for him.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Once again one of those defensive shots which he plays so well! Fuller on off, Elgar leans into it and just punches it past the bowler. Such is the outfield here that it races across the turf and into the fence.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Back of a length on off, pushed to point.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Well bowled! On a length around off, it straightens a touch. AB de Villiers tries to defend but the ball takes the edge and goes along the ground to point.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Angles it into the batsman, trying to cramp the batsman for room. He works it to square leg.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Once again bowled outside off, AB does not fiddle with it.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. A similar delivery but this is a touch closer to the off pole. AB leaves it.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. FOUR! TOP CLASS! With AB out there runs are bound to come! Not a very bad delivery that, on a length around off. But such is the class of de Villiers, he leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Good length outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Has it been dropped? Oh, yes! Nathan Lyon is the culprit and to be honest that should have been taken. Not the best of deliveries from Hazlewood. He bowls it short and outside off, he once again gets extra bounce. Elgar tries to get on top of the bounce and cut it. He though cannot and hits it uppishly towards Lyon at point. The off spinner gets two hands to it but can't hang on. A reprieve for Elgar, how costly will this prove? Josh should have his third there.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. On a length around off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Another bouncer! Elgar does well to duck under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Wide outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Fuller on middle, de Villiers flicks it through mid-wicket and some good running helps the batsmen run three. 100 up for the Proteas.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, AB was unsure whether to play forward or back. He in the end plays a half-hearted defensive stroke and the ball takes the inside edge before going down towards fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Shorter in length again on middle, de Villiers tucks it to square leg.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. FOUR! That is some shot to get off the mark! Just shows the confidence he is in. Fuller on middle, AB walks across and whips it through wide mid on for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, Elgar taps it towards covers for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. A good delivery to de Villiers first up! On a length around off, AB is solid in defense.
AB de Villiers walks out at no. 4.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. OUT! In the air... taken! Hazlewood gets his second and this is the seventh time he has got Amla in Tests. You get this feeling that he just knows what to bowl to him. He persists with the short ball and it has paid dividends. He comes running in and bangs it half way down the track, gets it to bounce a little more and Amla is done in by that. He goes for the pull but does not get on top of the bounce. The ball takes the top edge and goes down towards Cummins at fine leg who runs in and takes a good catch. A big, big wicket for Australia as Amla was looking flawless out there. He goes after getting a start and the 86-run stand has been broken. Just the breakthrough the away side needed after the break.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Goes wide of the crease and bowls it on off, Amla keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Good length attacking the stumps, Amla defends it.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. A dot to finish! 8 runs off the over though! The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Fifty for Elgar, his 12th in this format and he gets there in some style. What a shot! He has hit that with a lot of authority! A leg gully was brought in so Elgar might be expecting a short one. He goes on the back foot and pulls it with disdain through mid-wicket and there is no stopping that. He raises his bat to acknowledge the applause but his job is not done. He would want to make it big now.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. This time Cummins bowls it wide outside off, seeing Elgar not move his feet a lot the bowler wanted the batsman to play a loose shot. Elgar does resist and leaves it.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. FOUR! That should settle Elgar's nerves! Cummins bangs it short again but offers width outside off. Elgar once again does not move his feet a lot but his hand-eye co-ordination is so good that he hits it off the middle. The ball goes through backward point for a boundary.
With nothing happening from the pitch, there seems to be a change in plan from the Aussies. We can see a short leg and a fielder in the deep on the leg side. Maybe, some short pitch bowling will be dished out.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Cummins does bowl it full but not where he would have liked it. Outside off, Elgar with minimal foot movement pushes it to covers.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Pat bowls a bouncer now, they certainly have a plan against Elgar here. Dean though ducks under it. Can he now follow it up with a cracking full ball?
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Another short delivery, the ball this time does not bounce that much. Elgar tucks it around the corner to keep strike. End of a fiery over by Josh.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Now bowls a length ball around off, at good pace, 141 kph. Elgar defends it by staying within his crease.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Almost played it on! Those two short balls I think are playing on Elgar's mind. Hazlewood bowls it behind a length this time around off. Elgar is in two minds whether to play at it or leave it. He first thinks of blocking it but then tries to pull his bat out but is too late in doing so. The ball hits the inner half and bounces close to the off pole. Good few balls here by Hazlewood, this is a good battle between the two.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Another bouncer and a good one too, aimed at the body of the batsman. Elgar evades it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. FOUR BYES! That has taken off out of nowhere! Josh Hazlewood has really bent his back on this delivery! A short ball with a lot of fizz on middle, it zips and also shoots off the surface. Elgar ducks under it and the keeper behind also can't collect it as it is too high for him. It goes for four byes.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. On middle and angling into the batsman. Elgar plays it to mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Length ball on off, blocked. A dot to finish the over.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Nudges it around the corner with the angle for a quick run.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Outside off, this time. Elgar lets it be.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fuller on middle, eased down towards mid on. Elgar calls wait but seeing the fielder field the ball cleanly he does not go for the run.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. First runs off the bat of this session! Back of a length on off, Elgar plays it really nicely as he guides it between gully and third slip with soft hands. The ball is racing across the turf as Smith gives it a chase. He manages to pull it back inside and the batsmen take two.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Cummins too starts off from around the wicket and bowls it on a length around off, the batsman keeps it out.
Pat Cummins will bowl from the other end.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. A leave to end the over to a ball outside off. Once again no swing or any sort of assistance on offer for the bowler in the first over of the afternoon session and this was quite expected.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Attacking the stumps, trying to trap Amla in front. The batsman gets his bat down in time and plays it towards mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Errs in line and bowls it on the pads, Elgar is late on the flick as the ball brushes his pads and goes down to fine leg and the batsman take a leg bye. First run for this session.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Pulls his length back a little on off, Elgar rocks back and defends it onto the ground.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. On a length again and angling into the batsman. Elgar lunges forward and defends it watchfully.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Right on the money! No looseners for the big man as he comes from around the wicket and lands it on a length around off, Elgar though as he has been today, very solid in defense.
We are back for the second session. The men who matter make their way out to the middle. Also, Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar will resume their innings. It is the latter who will take strike to Josh Hazlewood who will start the proceedings after the break. Here we go...
... Day 1, Session 2 ...
A good first session of Test cricket. Electing to bat, South Africa will be quite pleased with the outcome. They did lose a wicket early in the form of Aiden Markram but since then it has been a one-way traffic. Not a lot happening for the bowlers and it's been an easing going for the pair of Amla and Elgar. The Australian bowlers tried their heart out but did not receive any assistance from the deck. The pitch is looking like a batting beauty and the narrative won't change much unless the Aussie bowlers produce something magical. Let's see how the afternoon session unfurls. Join us in a short while.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. A length delivery around middle, Amla solidly gets behind the line and defends it to mid-wicket. A maiden to end proceedings. Lunch on day 1!
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Bouncer around off, Amla lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. With Amla not going after wide ones, Starc pitches it this time in the line of the stumps. It's on a length and Amla defends it towards mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Identical to the last delivery. Bowling it full and outside off, inviting the batsman for a drive with two slips and a gully waiting for an edge. Amla has played enough cricket to realize that plan. Leaves it untouched.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Serves this on a driving length outside off, Amla allows it through. Not taking any chance with lunch just around the corner.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Nice and full around off, Amla drives it down the ground to mid off.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Delivers it wide outside off, on a length and it shapes away a touch too, Elgar has nothing to do with it.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Keeps it full on this occasion and Elgar hits it off his front foot to the off side. Finds the fielder.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. From round the wicket, Marsh bowls it on a good length outside off, Elgar allows it through.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Pitches it up and outside off, Elgar drives through the line but finds the widish mid off fielder.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Back of a length ball angling away from the batsman, Elgar leans back a bit as he lets it through to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Outside off, tapped down to point to end the over.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Bowls it full and outside off, Elgar has been quite positive today. Plays a nice looking drive through covers for three runs.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Full in length and moving back in a bit, Elgar defends it to mid-wicket.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Elgar has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Shortish around off, defended off the back foot.
Some issue with the shape of the ball. The umpire quickly gets it checked by using the 8-shaped gauge. The ball passes through one side of the ring while it doesn't go through the other side of the ring which means it's fine to continue...
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. A cracking yorker on middle, Elgar digs it out at the last second.
Mitchell Marsh to Hashim Amla. Full and around off, Amla defends it towards mid on. Expensive over by Marsh!
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Almost another boundary. Three good shots in the over by Elgar. Fuller in length outside off, Dean drives it delightfully through covers. This time it has been chased down and the batsmen will have to be satisfied with three runs.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Another boundary. Turning out to be a productive over for South Africa. A full delivery around off, Elgar presents the full face of the bat to it, doesn't try to over-hit it and just times his shot straight down the ground for a boundary.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Elgar has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. FOUR! That's as good as you will see from Dean Elgar. Marsh bowls it full and wide outside off, good swing of the bat by Dean as he holds his balance while playing the cover drive. The placement is excellent and it speeds through the gap. No stopping this one.
Mitchell Marsh to Dean Elgar. Starts with a fullish ball on middle, Elgar defends it back.
Mitchell Marsh is into the attack. He is a pretty handy fifth bowling option.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. On a good length around middle, Amla defends it off his back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Shortish on middle, worked towards mid-wicket.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Starc serves it very full and wide outside off, Amla restrains himself from going after it. That was a real tempter, a batsman with aggressive mindset would have surely given it a whack of his bat.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Half an appeal! A good length delivery landing just around leg, Amla tries to work it on the leg side but is beaten. It hits him on the thigh pad and rolls to gully. The bowler got excited for a little while.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Full and on middle, Amla brings down a straight blade and defends it solidly.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Bowls it too full and on middle, Elgar flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Fullish and outside off, driven through the line but finds the cover fielder.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. A false shot but no harm done. Full in length and angling into the batsman, Amla tries flicking but gets a leading edge towards covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Keeps it full and around off, Amla has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. In the corridor outside off, Amla makes an easy leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Too straight in line, Amla works it through the gap on the leg for a single. It ain't swinging at all and the bowler needs to adopt plan B. Don't try too much and concentrate on drying up the runs.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Bang! Not often you see Elgar hitting a cricket ball with so much disdain. Starc delivers it short and wide outside off, Dean rocks back and whacks it square of the wicket on the off side. Finds the placement through backward point and fetches a boundary for himself. The 50-run stand comes up too. This pair has largely looked at ease on this batting beauty.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. This one is angled down the leg side, Amla fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg for a leg bye. The right-left combination often forces an error in line from the bowler.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Tap and run by Elgar. He just drops a length ball with gentle hands to covers and steal a run right under the fielder's nose.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Not making him play enough. One more time Josh pitches it wide outside off and it's seen off with ease by Amla.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Another leave outside the off stump by Amla.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Hurls in a length ball outside off, Amla chooses to let it be.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Good length ball around off, it's defended off the back foot by Hashim.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Fullish and outside off, a gentle push by Elgar to the off side and he finds the gap to rotate the strike.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. FOUR! That's a defensive shot which has gone to the boundary. A length ball is angled into the batsman and Elgar just brings his bat down to keep it out. It finds the sweet spot it seems as the ball races past Bancroft at mid on. He gives the chase but not for the first time he has come second this morning. 50 comes up for South Africa much to the delight of the crowd.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Good length delivery outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Full and straight, Elgar nudges it through backward square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Elgar has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Nearly edges it! Starc goes too full outside off, Elgar tries to squeeze it out but misses. The bat hitting the ground makes some sound and Steven Smith gets excited at second slip. Paine calmly collects the ball and shakes his head as his skipper was looking at him. Good job, Tim. Sometimes we have seen some skippers getting carried away and taking DRS almost immediately only to see it getting wasted.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Shortish and in the region outside off, Elgar allows it through to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Starts this spell with a fuller length ball around off, Elgar draws forward and pushes it with soft hands to mid off. Amla probably was in search of a run but is sent back.
Mitchell Starc is back on. Strong breeze is blowing across the stadium and that might assist him. Two slips and a gully in place...
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Fullish and on off, Amla has to play at it and he does so with his bat and pad close together. Keeps it out safely on the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Invites the batsman for a drive but Amla turns down the proposal. He just takes a front leg forward to cover the line and shoulders arms.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. This one is fired into the batsman on a fuller length, Amla flicks on the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Keeps it on a length just outside off, angling in, Amla covers the line and offers a straight bat in defense. Both the South African batsmen have looked more at ease after the drinks break.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Fetches a shortish ball from around off and eases his pull shot behind square leg. The fine leg fielder cuts it off and they collect a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Lands it on a length around off, Elgar once again is solid in his front foot defense.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Good length delivery close to the off stump line, Amla makes another leave to end the over.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Cummins replies with a bouncer to which Amla has nothing to do.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Another delightful shot from the bat of Amla. He receives the full ball in his hitting zone with glee and drives it crisply through extra cover. This is the best we have seen him start his innings of late. Moving well, balance is good, ominous signs for the Aussies.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Cummins immediately pulls his length back and lands it close to the off stump, Amla shoulders arms and lets it through.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Stroke of the morning! Cummins lands it slightly overpitched outside off, Amla unfurls a free flowing cover drive and it speeds away to the fence in no time. The chase is on from mid off but the ball wins the race. Transfer of weight into the shot was beautiful.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Once again keeps it on and around the off stump line, Elgar is solid in his defense so far.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Probably some extra bounce this time from a length around off, Elgar covers the line to block but is surprised by the extra lift. Immediately takes his bottom hand off the handle.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Good length ball on off, Elgar blocks it from the crease to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Switches to round the wicket and angles it back into the batsman, Elgar helps it off his pads to mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Back of a length ball around off, Amla gets back and drops it with soft hands to the off side. They steal a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Around off on a length, defended off the back foot.
Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Changes his angle for the southpaw. Comes from round the wicket and angles in a full ball around off, Elgar gets forward and drives it through covers for a couple of runs. Not sure this line will worry Elgar much. In the last Test match, this angle worked for the Aussie bowlers as it was reversing.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Pitches it full around off, Amla with his typical movement inside the crease drives it on the up. Bancroft quickly moves across to his left from mid off and makes a good save. A single taken.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Cummins serves this one wide outside off, on a good length, Hashim ain't bothered at all as he makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. The first two deliveries held its line and this one is angled into the batsman. Not a great deal of movement but certainly it shapes back in a tad. Amla does well to close the face of his bat as he keeps it out towards mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. This one is almost identical to the last delivery but Amla on this occasion nicely gets behind the line and punches it wide of mid off. The fielder chases it down and they earn a couple of runs.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Peach after the drinks break. Cummins steams in and lets out a shortish length ball just around off, Amla sticks back to play inside the line but it holds its line and beats the outside edge.
Drinks! The first hour has been equal till now. Australia did manage to get an early wicket with Hazlewood sending Markram back for a duck. But since then Amla and Elgar have done well and they are now trying to build a partnership here.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flatter on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Quicker but on the shorter side, punched to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Excellent by Warner! He is a dynamite on the field! Short and outside off, Amla cuts it through point. David from that position sprints after the ball, dives and manages to save a run for his side.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. In the air... but well short! Lyon tosses it up on middle, Amla uses his wrists to flick it towards mid-wicket. He does it uppishly but it goes on the bounce to that fielder.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Works it with the turn towards short leg.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. This was nicely bowled! Comes running in and lands it on a length outside off, it first comes in with the angle but then shapes away a touch. Elgar first thinks about playing at it but then pulls his bat out of the way.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. From around the wicket he angles it in on off, trying to then shape it away. However, there is no assistance for the bowler and Elgar quite easily keeps it out.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fullish on middle, driven to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Very strong through the leg side is Hashim Amla! Pat angles it into the pads, Amla stands tall and whips it through mid-wicket and gets a run.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Back of a length on middle, Amla blocks it off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Good length outside off, Amla leaves it.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Darts it on middle, Elgar covers the line and defends it.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Lyon now is bowling a touch quicker as there is no spin on offer. He fires it on middle, Elgar keeps it out off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Flatter on off, blocked.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Slower through the air this time but still there is no turn as the ball goes on with the arm. Elgar defends it.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Shorter in length on off, pushed to covers.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Full on middle, mistimed to mid on.
The on air commentators are a bit surprised by the lack of movement and bounce in this pitch. Michael Holding feels the grass is not as greener as it was when South Africa played India recently.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Goes a little fuller this time than the last ball. No swing on offer, too easy for Amla to keep it out.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Excellent shot! Short but did not bounce as the bowler would have desired. Amla gets on top of the bounce and pulls it with one leg up in the air, through square leg and the ball races away.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Wide outside off, Amla leaves it.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Back to bowling length on off, Amla is half forward to block it out.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Fuller on middle, Amla flicks it through mid-wicket and bags a brace.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Short and wide outside off, first poor ball by Lyon. Elgar though fails to take full toll of it as he cuts it straight to point.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. A little fuller this time on middle, Amla gets to the pitch of the ball and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Flatter on off, not a lot of turn. The ball skids off the surface as Amla rocks back and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Floats it up on off, Amla keeps it out off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. Works it against the turn through mid-wicket for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Tosses it up on off, Amla is happy to play on the back foot as he rocks back and works it around the corner for a run.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Down the leg side, Amla tucks it around the corner for a run.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. WIDE! Bangs it in short! Amla ducks under it. The umpire feels it is too high and it is signaled a wide.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. On a length around off, defended solidly.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Slightly fuller this time, not on the driving length. Amla is happy to block it out.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Back of a length on off, Amla defends it off the back foot this time.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Good start by the pacer. He bowls it on a length around off, Amla presses forward and defends it.
Double change by Steven Smith! Pat Cummins is into the attack.
Nathan Lyon to Dean Elgar. The batsman defends it from within the crease. Not a lot of turn for Lyon in his first, also he was bowling it a touch too fuller.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Flatter on middle, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Full on off, driven down to mid off.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Flighted up on middle, worked to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Floats it up on middle, Amla with the turn plays a wristy shot towards mid on. He first calls yes but then realizes he has timed the ball quite well and then sends the non-striker back.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Tosses it up on middle, Amla works it to mid-wicket.
Spinner introduced early! Nathan Lyon is into the attack. He needs four more wickets to get to the magical 300-wicket mark.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Tries to surprise the batsman with a bumper. Hazlewood however, does not get it to bounce that much. Amla rides on top of the bounce and pulls it along the ground to fine leg to change strike.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. This is excellent, excellent stuff. Just like McGrath used to do for Australia. Continuously bowling it on one line and length. Amla manages to block it.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Hits the good length around on off, Amla plays it towards gully.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Once again accurate line and length. On the stumps, not offering a lot of room and also on a length. Amla lunges forward and defends it.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Angles in a full ball around off this time, Elgar presses forward and defends it off his front foot to the off side.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. A middle stump half-volley as Starc attempts to spear it in, Elgar eases it through mid-wicket and Bancroft gives the chase from mid on. Chases it down in the deep and they take a couple of runs.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Hurls it on a good length outside off, Elgar covers the line and makes a sensible leave.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Play and a miss! That's beautifully bowled. Starc keeps his length on the shorter side, just around off and this time it nips away a shade. Elgar stays back to push inside the line and gets beaten.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Starc pulls his length back a bit this time, bowls it outside off and this one holds its line. Elgar watches the line closely before making a leave.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Excellent stuff, Cummins! Starc overpitches around off and Elgar plays a cracking off drive. It's racing through but Pat at mid off does well to stop it with a dive. A certain boundary saved.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Finishes it off with a wayward delivery down the leg side. Amla misses the flick and the keeper collects it.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Once again close to the off pole, something Josh has not being doing in this series consistently. He had been bowling too wide outside off but in this Test, he has concentrated to bowl close to the off pole. Amla, however, is solid in defense.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. On a length around off, defended off the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Edged but runs! On fuller on middle, it swings away. Amla goes for the drive straight down the ground but it takes the edge, goes along the ground between gully and point for a brace.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Outside off this time and Amla lets it be.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Down the leg side, Amla misses the flick.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. A bouncer with a lot of venom. Elgar does well to evade it and Paine behind the stumps collects it really well.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. On a length around off, kept out.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Bad ball and put away! Full and on middle, Elgar loves it there. He closes the face of the bat and flicks it through mid-wicket for the first boundary of the game.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Another delivery which straightens a touch after pitching on middle, Elgar is squared up as he tries to defend but misses and gets hit high on the thigh pad.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Another good delivery to finish! This was on a similar length to the ball which got Markram, but this comes in with the angle. Amla though covers his off pole and makes a good leave. End of a successful over by Josh.
Hashim Amla is the next man in.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Hazlewood draws first blood and Markram bags the first duck of his Test career. Excellent delivery that from Hazlewood. He looks like he has his rhythm up today and the length on that delivery was the key. He comes running in and bowls it on off, it shapes away a touch. Markram who was playing on 0 off 10 balls was eager to get off the mark. He goes for a drive to a drivable length but away from his body and with minimal foot movement which brings his downfall. The ball takes the outside edge of the bat and goes towards first slip. Steven Smith had a doubt whether it would carry so he dives across to his left from second slip and takes it with two hands, inches above the ground. Superb from the skipper. An early breakthrough for Australia, perfect for them and not good for South Africa, after winning the toss and opting to bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Good length outside off, left alone. Yet to get off the mark is Markram, he though has not received a loose ball yet.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Length ball around middle, Markram keeps it out towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Top shot! Hazlewood goes fuller this time and he pays the price. It is also on off, Elgar times it nicely through extra covers. Bancroft from mid off runs behind the ball and just at the very end slides and pushes it back in. Saves a run for his side.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Good length and line! Around off and just ahead of a length. Elgar covers the line of the delivery and blocks it out.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Off the mark is Elgar! The scoreboard shows three runs but this is the first off the bat. Full and on off, swinging away. Elgar is half forward as he pushes it towards mid off for a quick run.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Short and outside off, at a good pace. Elgar watches it go through to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Down the leg side, Elgar once again misses a scoring opportunity as he misses the flick. Tim Paine behind the stumps does well to dive to his right and make an excellent stop.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Change of length by Starc. He tries to surprise the batsman with a bouncer on middle, Elgar evades it.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Good length outside off, Elgar makes a watchful leave.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Fuller on middle, worked towards mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Bowls it outside off, Markram need not play at those.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Good length on off, shapes in a touch. Aiden tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Another leave. On a length outside off, Aiden plants his front foot ahead and shoulders his arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Good length around off, Markram makes a leave. He has left 4 out of the 5 balls he has faced.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Errs in line and bowls it down the leg side. Elgar tries to flick but misses once again as the ball brushes the pads and goes towards fine leg. The batsmen again take a leg bye. Two runs and none off the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Hazlewood starts off with a full ball on off, he also gets no swing as Elgar plays it towards point.
Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Finally makes Markram play by bowling it on the stumps, the right hander though is solid in defense. Just one from the first over, not a threatening one by Starc.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Another ball outside off, Aiden makes a solid leave.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. On a fuller length this time outside off, looking for some shape into the batsman but does not get any. Markram lets it be.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Good length outside off, slanting away from the batsman. Markram makes a good leave and Starc gets good carry to the keeper who collects at chest height.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Goes for the magic delivery on the second one. The one which swings from leg and hits off. This however, does not swing and ends by being a half-volley on the pads. Elgar fails to put it away as the ball brushes the pads and goes towards the leg side. The batsmen sneak a leg bye and South Africa are underway.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Straightaway some action! An excellent delivery to begin with. On a length angling into the batsman first. He gets some away movement which Elgar fails to account for. He tries to defend but the ball hits him high on the thigh pad. There is an appeal from the fielders behind the stumps but the umpire is not interested.
Done and dusted with the national anthems and we are all set for the action to begin. The umpires along with the Australian players make their way out to the middle. Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram will open the batting for South Africa. The southpaw will take strike and he will be facing Mitchell Starc who has a tendency to pick a wicket in the first over. Can he do so again? He has three slips and a gully waiting for an edge. Here we go...
Mike Haysman comes up with some insights about the bowling of Vernon Philander. The first point that he makes is that the Aussies have attempted 14 percentage of attacking shots against him in this series. Haysman reckons that Vern's channels have been extraordinary, beating the inside and outside edge. Also adds that the pitching has been consistent, around the good length mark and Philander has not changed even a bit since his debut. Regarding the pace - Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Rabada, Morkel have bowled in top speed but not Philander, as expected, although the movement he achieves does the trick. Haysman picks out why Josh has been ordinary, so far and reasons that his pitching is too wide outside off as compared to his graph in the 2015 Ashes. As always, Mike has been right on the money with his reading of the game.
Australian skipper, Steven Smith, says they also wanted to bat first. Mentions there are a few cracks which would come into play later on. He hopes the grass will help his fast bowlers. Further adds that he would like a few early wickets and put the South Africans under some pressure. Admits it was good to have a break in between the second and the third Test. Ends by saying they have made no changes to their eleven.
South African skipper, Faf du Plessis, says the wicket has less grass and it will play a little slow on the first day. Reckons it is different from the wicket on which they played against India. He feels there will be movement at the start but it should get good for batting later on. Informs they have two changes - Bavuma and Morkel come in for de Bruyn and Ngidi.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and Steven Smith calls it wrong. South Africa win their first toss of the series and they will like to have a bat.
PITCH REPORT - Shaun Pollock says there is a good covering of grass. He opines the team which wins the toss should bat first. Reckons there will be some assistance for the bowlers at the start. Mentions the short pitch deliveries will carry through nicely as there is grass in the middle. States the spinners will also have a part to play as the wicket is a little dry and the cracks might open with time. He feels it will be also be a little uneven as the Test goes on.
Australia on the other hand, have named an unchanged eleven for this Test. Their bowling has been decent until now but it is their batting which is the main problem. Steven Smith would hope for all their batters to get their A-game to the fore and put in a good show. The first Test was dominated by the Australians and the second by the South Africans, it is all even at the moment and we can expect another exciting encounter between the two. Hello and welcome to the coverage from Newlands.
It is time for the third Test between South Africa and Australia with the series level at 1-1 with two Tests to go. Both the sides will be eager for a win here to take an unassailable lead. The hosts have been handed a boost after the ban on Rabada has been overturned. They still have a few problems to tackle, out of which one being their batting. Only AB de Villiers is the one who looks comfortable playing the Australian attack. Faf du Plessis would hope for the rest and himself to fire.
The pitch provided ample resistance to the pacers yesterday and it's expected to play the same way out. South Africa though have a slight advantage, they can't afford any slip-up in this innings. Expect a cracking contest between bat and ball. Stay tuned...
Quickly summarizing Australia's first innings batting performance and the first word comes to mind is disappointing. David Warner provided a brisk start and Cameron Bancroft also played a handy knock but the middle order faltered against Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel. The 9th wicket stand for the Aussies though frustrated the home team and also ate out 66 runs from the deficit. The bowlers mentioned above bagged four wickets apiece and were the tormentors-in-chief.
So, South Africa took 17 balls to pick the last wicket and Australia managed to score 10 runs in it to reduce the deficit to 56 runs. Kagiso Rabada picked up his fifth 4-wicket haul in Tests and all in all, the hosts will be relieved to dislodge the last stand fairly quickly.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. OUT! 4-fer for Rabada! Hazlewood perishes but after adding 9 precious runs today. Rabada bowls it on a length around off, it shapes away after pitching. Josh could have left it but he tries to play it away from his body. The ball takes the outside edge and goes into the hands of Amla at first slip who accepts it. AUSTRALIA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 255!
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. A bumper on middle, Paine takes on the challenge of pulling it. He does so as the ball goes towards square leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Well played! Hazlewood got a boundary by playing this shot in the last over but this time they have a fielder there. Another short ball on middle, Hazlewood upper cuts it towards third man for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. A yorker on middle, Josh digs it out really well. That was nicely bowled and equally well played by Hazlewood.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Rabada bowls it wide outside off, wanting Hazlewood to go after it. Josh does throw his bat at it and gets beaten.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. The second over of the day is a maiden! The ball is outside off, Tim plants his front foot ahead and shoulders his arms to it.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Beauty! Morkel goes wide of the crease and then angles it into the off pole. It shapes away after pitching. Paine tries to defend it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Excellent delivery by the big man.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. A touch fuller this time outside off, also gets good carry to the keeper. Paine leaves it alone.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Another ball outside off, Paine need not play at it.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Good length around off stump, Paine makes a good leave.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Short and wide outside off, Paine cuts it through point. There is a man in the deep and a single is on offer but Paine does not take it.
Morne Morkel will bowl from the other end.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. FOUR! Clever shot! 8 runs from the first over! Short again by Rabada on off, Hazlewood was maybe expecting it as he arches his back and upper cuts it over the slip cordon for a boundary. Excellent start for the Aussies.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Fires it full on middle, Josh covers the line of the delivery and pushes it to mid on.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Fuller this time on off, no swing on offer. Hazlewood plays it to the man at covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. BEATEN! The length the South African bowlers should be bowling. Lands it on the good length area around off, it straightens after pitching. Josh hangs his bat out and gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. FOUR! First runs for the day and all these are bonus runs for Australia. Poor by Rabada, he bowls it short and down the leg side. Josh helps it on its way and the ball runs down to the fine leg fence. 62 is the trail now.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. A loosener by the pacer! Down the leg side on a shorter length. Hazlewood watches it go into the mitts of the keeper.
We are all set for the action to begin. It is bright and sunny here and it is expected to be a sell-out crowd for the next two days. Let us also hope the cricket lives up to its expectations as the umpires and the players make their way out to the middle. Josh Hazlewood will take strike. He will be facing Kagiso Rabada who has three slips and a short leg in place. A wicket in the first over? We will have to wait and watch. Here we go as Kagiso comes running in...
Tim Paine is now up for an interview. He starts by saying it was a pretty tough game yesterday. Admits they did not get as many runs as they would have wanted from the top four. Credits the way Bancroft played. Reckons the cracks on the wicket has started to make a difference now as the pitch is playing a little up and down. States he was trying to score runs as that was the key when they were 120-130 runs behind. Mentions Lyon is a good batter and he can hit the cricket ball really well. Ends by saying they aim to reduce the deficit as much as possible and then bowl well.
Keshav Maharaj, who is interviewed by Mike Haysman, says yesterday did not go according to plan as they could have got a bigger lead. Credits Nathan Lyon for his knock. Admits the ninth wicket stand was frustrating but they still can get a good lead. Reckons there will be swing if it gets cloudy but it is sunny at the moment. Feels it is a really good batting wicket and if the batters get their eye in, they can capitalize. Adds further it won't be changing a lot and the bowlers might get a little more bounce. Appreciates all that Morne Morkel has achieved in his career. Ends by saying they are hoping to get a good lead and then bat well.
Australia, on the other hand, will hope the pair out there can add as many runs as possible and get close to the hosts' first innings total. We are surely in for another cracking day. There is rain predicted for Day 3 but at the moment it's bright and sunny. Let us hope it stays this way throughout and we get a full day's play.
Hello and welcome to the third day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Newlands, Cape Town. We head into, what is considered as the moving day, with the home side having their noses slightly in front. They could have been way ahead had it not been for the 9th wicket partnership between Lyon and Paine. The Proteas have still one wicket to take and Faf du Plessis would hope to take it as soon as possible and have a lead of more than 50.
... Day 3, Session 1 ...
So, we are heading into Day 3 now - the moving day as it's called. Australia still have a wicket left and would hope that Tim Paine and Josh Hazlewood narrow the gap as much as possible. Also, the forecast says that there's an 80 percent chance of rain tomorrow which is most likely to affect the afternoon and evening sessions. We can only hope that it somehow misses us and we get in as many overs as we can. On that positive note, we take your leave. Do join us at 1030 local (0830 GMT) for all the action. Cheers!
Cannot leave without touching Australia's batting. The start they gained was quickfire. David Warner batted like a train on fire and probably tried to put Rabada off. He succeeded for a little while but that was it. Apart from Cameron Bancroft, who stroked a half century and also stitched in a 78-run stand with Shaun Marsh, everyone struggled against the skill and quality of the South African speedsters. It's a sorry looking scorecard for them and had Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon not done what they did, things would have been uglier.
For South Africa, once again it turned out to be a day where they did almost everything right but failed to keep the momentum on their side. They still have the advantage, though they will know that things could have been a lot better had they not bowled poorly towards the end. Anyway, one cannot take anything away from the way they bowled to the Aussie top order. Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada did most of the damage and received good support from Vernon Philander. They were breathing fire and with the conditions providing good assistance, they turned out to be too hot to handle. A special mention for Morne Morkel, who completed 300 Test wickets today and bowled with a lot of intent.
Another cracking day of Test cricket and much like yesterday, Australia made some sort of a comeback in the last session after spending most part of the day's play on the back foot. If it was Pat Cummins on day 1, it's the pair of Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon today. Their 66-run stand for the 9th wicket, in which the off spinner contributed 47 runs, has saved Australia the blushes. When these two joined forces, the tourists were in danger of conceding a lead in excess of hundred but courtesy their partnership, the deficit has now come down to 66 runs.
The umpires get together to have a chat. This is around the same time when they called off the day's play yesterday. The light has faded considerably and the players are going off. Faf du Plessis has a chat with umpire Nigel Llong, clearly not looking pleased but he needs to understand that the umpires are following the rules. They took a reading on day 1 and that's the standard set for all the days of this Test match. Right then, that will be STUMPS ON DAY 2!
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. An away swinger this time, from a fuller length outside off, Paine lets it through.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Some inward movement this time. From a length around off, it curves back in, Paine tries to work on the leg side but misses. There is extra bounce as well and it strikes Tim on his thigh pad.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Pitches it full and on off, Paine drives but finds the cover fielder.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Good length delivery in the region outside off, another leave made by Paine.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Too full in length and on middle, Paine covers the line and pushes it out to mid on.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. A length ball on off, Hazlewood stays back and defends it to the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Rabada switches to round the wicket and bowls it on a length outside off, Hazlewood initially looks to push at it but then withdraws his bat.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Straighter in line, worked in the gap at mid-wicket for one.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. In the channel outside off, it's left alone by Paine.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Back of a length ball on middle, Paine gets it away off his thigh pad to fine leg. Turns down the single.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Lands it on a length outside off, Paine allows it through.
Kagiso Rabada is back on.
Morne Morkel to Josh Hazlewood. Fuller and on off, driven to mid off to end the over.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Moving back into the batsman from around off, Paine closes the face of the bat to help it in the gap at mid-wicket. A single taken.
Morne Morkel to Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood this time does well to push it in the gap on the off side. Rotates strike.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Full and outside off, pushed in the gap at covers for one.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Bowls it outside off, shaping in a bit, Paine leaves it alone.
Josh Hazlewood is the last batsman for Australia.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. OUT! Great running catch by Dean Elgar to end a very important innings from Nathan Lyon. Morkel gets his fourth and he has to work hard for it. Nathan Lyon tries powering a shortish length ball through the line but gets a top edge. It balloons in the air, Dean Elgar runs back and across from covers and judges the skier to perfection. Never easy to catch those. End of a 66-run stand and Australia trail by 30 less than a hundred.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Once again Paine strides forward in defense.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Gets forward to a full ball and defends.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Gosh, that shaved the off stump. An arm ball around off, Paine certainly didn't pick it and decides to offer no shot. What he finds next is the ball going very closely past the off pole.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Paine has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. FOUR! An edgy one! A delivery skidding into the batsman from around off, Paine moves back to cut but gets an outside edge through the gap between first slip and keeper. AB de Villiers didn't even react to it.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tossed up ball outside off, Paine pushes it with an angled bat to point and looks for a run. Sent back.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Another miss by Lyon! Morkel angles in a length ball around off, Nathan clears his front leg to attempt a big slog across the line but once again fails to make any connection. Morkel has an unimpressed look on his face while Lyon is thinking how he missed to put that away. 8 from the over.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Swing and a miss. Lyon finds the width outside off and throws his bat at it. Fails to connect.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! A length ball around off, Lyon once again keeps himself on the back foot and powers it over covers for a boundary. That wasn't a bad delivery but Nathan manufactured a great shot. Will be eyeing his maiden Test fifty.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Well struck! Morkel aims for Lyon's body as he was looking to give himself room. The Aussie spinner still manages to pull out a brilliant pull shot. It speeds away through square leg for a boundary. This is now highest Lyon's highest Test score, also the highest by a number 10 at this venue.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Another play and a miss outside off by Lyon.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Outside off, Lyon pushes at it and misses.
Vernon Philander is back on the field.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Ouch, that's nasty! Full in length around middle, Paine drills it right back. Maharaj tries to stop it but fails and it bounced awkwardly. Takes a blow near the groin area and goes down on his haunches in pain. A few players on the field can see the funny side of it.
Keshav Maharaj to Nathan Lyon. Loopy and on middle, Lyon plays a cracking sweep shot and the square leg fielder fails to make a clean stop. A single results.
Keshav Maharaj to Nathan Lyon. Flatter and fuller on middle, pushed down to mid on.
Keshav Maharaj to Nathan Lyon. Tossed up ball on middle and leg, Lyon defends it off his front foot.
Faf du Plessis has a chat with his bowler. It results in the extra cover fielder moving to square leg. Going by the field set, it seems Maharaj will bowl a leg stump line.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Flighted and around middle, clipped wide of mid-wicket for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tossed up ball outside off, left alone by Paine.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! A beautiful drive from a number 10 batsman to bring up the 50-run stand! Morkel overpitches a shade outside off, Nathan leans forward and creams it through covers. That shot will make even a top order batsman proud. The deficit is now down to 84!
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fullish and on middle, Paine brings down a straight bat again and bunts it towards mid on. He senses that the fielder there is a bit lazy in moving and quickly calls Lyon for a single. Good match awareness. It's also a skill.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. A length ball angling into the batsman, around off, Paine gets across the stumps to cover the line and blocks it with a vertical bat.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Very full in length outside off, Paine squeezes it out through covers and straightaway shouts two. Completes it with ease. Tim is very quick between the wickets.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Good length ball angling into the batsman, on middle and leg, Lyon goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Feeds room outside off, shorter in length, Lyon keeps all his weight on the back leg as he goes chasing after it. Fails to make any connection.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tossed up ball on off, defended safely to end the over. This partnership is worth 44 runs and must be frustrating the Proteas.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Once again Paine is on the front foot in defense.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Presses forward to a full ball and defends it back.
Keshav Maharaj to Nathan Lyon. Gets down on one knee and sweeps it past short fine leg for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Nathan Lyon. Lyon has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Short and around off, cut behind point for a single.
Keshav Maharaj returns.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Dropped by AB de Villiers! In the morning, luck favoured Rabada with the bat, now it's smiling on Lyon. Once again width is on offer outside off, Lyon flashes and flashes hard. But it finds the outside edge and goes quickly at third slip where de Villiers fails to hold on to the catch. Ordinary effort by one of the very best fielders in world cricket. 10 from the over.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Lyon is playing a handy knock here! Very severe on anything short and wide. Pounces onto a short ball outside off and slams it over point for yet another boundary.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! What a shot! A length ball around off, Lyon gets behind the line and punches it on the up. Finds the gap through extra cover and it speeds to the fence.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Morkel runs in from around the wicket and angles across a shortish ball on off, Lyon shuffles across the stumps and pulls it behind square leg for a single.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Shapes up for a big shot across the line but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Temba Bavuma to Nathan Lyon. Straighter in line, Lyon nudges it in front of square leg for a single. Mike Haysman on air jokes that's the end of what he presumes is Bavuma's spell.
Temba Bavuma to Nathan Lyon. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Temba Bavuma to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Another one. Lyon is having a ball at the moment. Receives yet another short delivery outside off and thrashes it to the cover fence. Not sure why Bavuma is bowling, inquires Michael Holding!
Temba Bavuma to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Easy pickings! Short and wide again, Lyon latches onto the room and crunches it through covers for a boundary. Vital runs for Australia. 200 comes up!
Temba Bavuma to Tim Paine. Short and wide outside off, Tim cuts it through point for a single.
Temba Bavuma to Tim Paine. A length ball outside off, Paine tries to drive but gets a bottom edge.
Temba Bavuma to bowl now. Is that needed?
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Fullish and outside off, pushed with an angled bat through point for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Appeal for an lbw, not given. This one is full and tailing back into the batsman, Paine fails to work it on the leg side and is hit on the pads. Missing leg.
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. Dropped by Amla! That would have been a stunning catch though. A length ball around leg, Lyon tees off for a big shot across the line but gets a massive outside edge behind. It travels with the speed of light and Amla at first slip leaps to attempt the catch. He fails to hold it on though as it bursts through his palms and rolls behind. They take a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. Just short! Back of a length delivery on off, Lyon rocks back to punch it through the line. Gets it away from the outside half of the bat and it flies towards point. Dean Elgar dives forward but it falls just short of him.
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. FOUR! Well played! This one is on a length around off, holding its line, Lyon stays back inside the crease and runs it past the left side of the point fielder for a boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. Beaten! Full and angling in around off, Lyon is drawn into the drive but is beaten by the away movement.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Good piece of fielding by Keshav Maharaj. Short and wide outside off, Paine cracks it off his back foot and it races through backward point. Maharaj in the deep rushes across to his left and makes a tumbling stop. Saves two for his team.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Bowls it outside off, it's left alone with ease on this occasion.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. A length ball angling into the batsman, around off, Paine with a late call to leave it. Fails to withdraw his willow in time and hence gets it away from a bottom edge towards the slip cordon.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. A reasonably controlled pull shot by Lyon. He gets inside the line, tops the bounce and executes his cross-batted shot. It's in the air for sometime but Rabada has no chance to getting to it on time from fine leg. A run taken.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Fuller and in the line of the stumps, Lyon stands back by exposing all wickets and drives it to widish mid off.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Bowls it from wide of the crease and delivers it on a length outside off, it's too wide to trouble the batsman. Paine shoulders arms.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Both Vernon Philander and Hashim Amla are off the field. Theunis de Bruyn and Heinrich Klaasen are the substitutes.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Pitches it up and wide outside off, moving away again, Paine is content in leaving that.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Lands it on a length around off, shaping away a bit, Paine covers his stumps and shoulders arms. He is a batsman in form and shows there that he's aware of his off stump.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. FOUR! Bonus runs for Australia! Rabada digs in a short ball on middle and leg, Paine decides to take it on and wheels a pull shot. Doesn't middle it but still gets it fine down the leg side for a boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Spears it full and on off, Paine draws forward and defends it back.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Too good for a number 10! A length ball close to off stump, holding its line, Lyon has no feet to show and ends up pushing and missing inside the line.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Direct hit would have been out! Paine taps a length ball down to the right of the gully fielder and scampers across to the other end. AB de Villiers gets to the ball but misses his shy at the striker's end. Lyon was not even in the picture.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Good length delivery in the zone outside off, it's left alone with ease.
The players are enjoying their drinks break. Another successful hour for the hosts. They have hunted down wickets at regular intervals and have not allowed any partnership to develop. Australia are in danger of conceding a big lead here. Can Tim Paine along with the remaining batsmen close the gap?
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. In the air... just out of the reach! Excellent effort but by Philander. Morkel bowls it on the leg stump, Lyon flicks it up in the air towards mid-wicket. Vernon runs to his right from mid on and puts in a dive with a hand stretched out but can't get to it. The batsmen take two. Philander might have hurt himself as he went for the catch. The physio makes his way out to the middle to have a check. Drinks has also been called for.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. Full and swinging away. Lyon goes for a drive but misses. Morkel has his hands up in an appeal but the umpire remains put.
Morne Morkel to Nathan Lyon. A gentle delivery, full and on off, Lyon drives it through covers and the ball races away for a brace.
Morne Morkel is back into the attack. 2 wickets left and he needs 2 for a fifer. Can he do it?
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. Good shot! On the pads, Lyon lifts it over mid on. Morkel from that position jogs after the ball and the batsmen run three. Heavy legs.
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. Was there an edge? The crowd certainly feel so as there is a loud cheer after de Kock collects the ball. On a length around off, it shapes away a touch. Lyon tries to defend but gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. Full and wide outside off, Lyon is drawn into the stroke but gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Nathan Lyon. OUCH! A bumper on middle, it comes in. Lyon fails to react in time and cops a blow on his chest.
Nathan Lyon is in at no. 10.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. OUT! Rabada gets his third! An excellent catch by AB de Villiers at third slip. Once again the away swinger does the trick. Kagiso lands it on off, it shapes away. Starc plays at it away from his body that too with an angled bat. It takes the edge and goes low towards the left of de Villiers who takes a neat catch. South Africa just two wickets away from taking a big lead now. The end seems nigh for Australia.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. Up and over! Runs, these are vital runs for the Aussies. Full and outside off, Starc lofts it over covers and bags a brace.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Uses his feet and strokes it back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tosses it up on middle, driven back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tosses it up on off, kept out.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Shortish on off, guided to point.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. OHHHH! That has come back in a long way. On a length around off, shaping back in big time. Starc had no clue about it as he lets it be. The ball goes over the stumps and into the mitts of the keeper. Starc sees the funny side of it but had that knocked the off pole out there would have been no smile on the southpaw's face.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. Shorter in length outside off, Starc hangs his bat out but gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Mitchell Starc is the next man in.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. OUT! There goes the seventh! Another edge which has been gobbled in the slip cordon. On a length around off, the shine on the ball was on the outside and hence it shapes away. It takes the outside edge of Cummins' bat as he tries to push at it tamely. It flies towards AB de Villiers at third slip who moves across to his left and takes a good low catch. The umpire quickly checks upstairs for the front foot no ball and Rabada is found fine with his landing. 138 is what is required for the Aussies to wipe out the deficit. They are staring down the barrel at the moment. Can South Africa get a lead over 100?
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Back of a length on off, pushed to covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Back of a length on off, Paine once again taps it towards covers and takes on Bavuma and once again Bavuma misses his shy.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Bowled on the stumps, Cummins blocks it.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Fires it on the stumps, the batsman keeps it out.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Floats it up on middle, driven back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Tosses it up on off, the batsman lunges forward and keeps it out.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Drags his length back on off, it's punched to covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. On the shorter side and down the leg side, Cummins tries to work it around the corner but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls down towards fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Shortish outside off, the batsman does not play at it.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Fuller on off, driven towards cover where the fielder dives and makes a good stop.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Bouncer! Batsman ducks under it.
Vernon Philander is off the field for a mysterious reason. De Bruyn is on the field for him.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Beaten! On a length around off, it shapes away a touch. Cummins tries to defend but is beaten by the away movement.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Eases this down to long on for a run. The partnership between the two is now 15 and 140 more needed to wipe out the deficit.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Short and outside off, Cummins cuts but can't get it away as he does so straight to the fielder.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Bowls the slider on middle, Cummins tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Gives it air on middle, does not get it to turn. Pat defends it off the front foot.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Tosses it up on off, it's driven back to the bowler.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. On a length outside off, Paine makes a solid leave. So, 9 runs from the last two overs, good thing for Australia is that they haven't lost a wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Down the leg side, Cummins plays it fine down the leg side for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Back of a length on off, Paine taps it towards point and gets to the other end.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Back to bowling length around off, Paine makes a leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Slashes but misses! A short ball outside off, gets it to bounce a touch extra. Paine tries to cut it by getting on top of the bounce but does not connect.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Short and on middle, pulled away, not timed that well but played well enough to get two.
Kagiso Rabada comes back into the attack.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. On the stumps, kept out.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Flatter outside off, Pat leaves it alone.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Comes down the track and chips it up in the air towards Maharaj. He dives to his left but the ball just evades him and goes down to long off for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tosses it up on off, kept out.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. FOUR! Starts off with a poor ball and it has been put away! Poor by Maharaj all that pressure crated by the two seamers has been released by this boundary. Short and wide outside off, Paine rocks back and cuts it through point for a boundary.
Keshav Maharaj is back into the attack.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. This is top notch stuff from Morkel and Philander! Morne comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it shapes away after pitching. Cummins tries to defend but is beaten all ends up.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. A bumper on middle, the batsman ducks under it.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. On the pads, worked to square leg.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. On a length outside off, Cummins is first drawn into the stroke but then pulls out of it.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. Outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. A bumper on middle, Cummins ducks under it.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Down the leg side, way down the leg side. The keeper does well to get a hand to it and stop a boundary. The batsmen run through for a bye.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Fuller on off, driven to mid off.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. This one comes in but the line is not that great. It is on the pads as Cummins works it through square leg for a brace.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. BEATEN! No, no Cummins that shot is needless. Outside off and on a length. Gets it to reverse away. Cummins goes after it away from his body but gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. On the shorter side and down the leg side, Cummins tries to work it around the corner but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls down towards fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Shortish outside off, the batsman does not play at it.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Fuller on off, driven towards cover where the fielder dives and makes a good stop.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Bouncer! Batsman ducks under it.
Vernon Philander is off the field for a mysterious reason. De Bruyn is on the field for him.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Beaten! On a length around off, it shapes away a touch. Cummins tries to defend but is beaten by the away movement.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Eases this down to long on for a run. The partnership between the two is now 15 and 140 more needed to wipe out the deficit.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Short and outside off, Cummins cuts but can't get it away as he does so straight to the fielder.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Bowls the slider on middle, Cummins tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Gives it air on middle, does not get it to turn. Pat defends it off the front foot.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Tosses it up on off, it's driven back to the bowler.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. On a length outside off, Paine makes a solid leave. So, 9 runs from the last two overs, good thing for Australia is that they haven't lost a wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Down the leg side, Cummins plays it fine down the leg side for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Back of a length on off, Paine taps it towards point and gets to the other end.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Back to bowling length around off, Paine makes a leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Slashes but misses! A short ball outside off, gets it to bounce a touch extra. Paine tries to cut it by getting on top of the bounce but does not connect.
Kagiso Rabada to Tim Paine. Short and on middle, pulled away, not timed that well but played well enough to get two.
Kagiso Rabada comes back into the attack.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. On the stumps, kept out.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Flatter outside off, Pat leaves it alone.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Comes down the track and chips it up in the air towards Maharaj. He dives to his left but the ball just evades him and goes down to long off for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tosses it up on off, kept out.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. FOUR! Starts off with a poor ball and it has been put away! Poor by Maharaj all that pressure crated by the two seamers has been released by this boundary. Short and wide outside off, Paine rocks back and cuts it through point for a boundary.
Keshav Maharaj is back into the attack.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. This is top notch stuff from Morkel and Philander! Morne comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it shapes away after pitching. Cummins tries to defend but is beaten all ends up.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. A bumper on middle, the batsman ducks under it.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. On the pads, worked to square leg.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. On a length outside off, Cummins is first drawn into the stroke but then pulls out of it.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. Outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. A bumper on middle, Cummins ducks under it.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Down the leg side, way down the leg side. The keeper does well to get a hand to it and stop a boundary. The batsmen run through for a bye.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Fuller on off, driven to mid off.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. This one comes in but the line is not that great. It is on the pads as Cummins works it through square leg for a brace.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. BEATEN! No, no Cummins that shot is needless. Outside off and on a length. Gets it to reverse away. Cummins goes after it away from his body but gets beaten.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Length ball on off, Cummins plants his front foot forward and defends it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. On a length around off, guided down to deep point for a run.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. On the stumps, Paine keeps it out towards point. The initial call was no but then seeing it was in the gap the batsmen went for the run.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Wide outside off, Paine need not play at it.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fuller outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. On a length around off, defended.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fuller on off, Paine reaches out for it and eases it to covers.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Another beauty but equally well played by Cummins! Bowls it on off, gets it to shape away. Cummins makes a very good leave. End of a wicket-maiden. Outstanding stuff.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Wide outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. On a length around off, kept out.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Edged but short! Again the outswinger on off, Cummins tries to defend it off the back foot but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to gully.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. On a length around off, left alone.
Pat Cummins walks out to the middle.
Vernon Philander to Mitchell Marsh. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Philander gets another and what a spell this has been by him. When he gets the ball to move like this, he is a terror to face. 49th wicket for him at this venue and it is Marsh who is walking back. His luck runs out as he edges this one. Once again that perfect length, just ahead of a good length area. Gets it to shape away from around off. Marsh has to play at it and he does so as he tries to defend it with no feet movement. The ball takes the outside edge and goes into the hands of the keeper who takes it with ease. The South Africans are all over the Aussies who need another 155 runs to wipe out the first innings' deficit.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Length on off, played towards Bavuma at covers and the batsmen set off for a run. The fielder has a shy but misses, Bavuma has not been able to hit the stumps today.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. How many times have we seen Morkel beating the edge of the bat? Add one more to the count here. Perfect length around off, it shapes away after pitching. Marsh tries to defend but is squared up in that attempt. The ball whizzes past the outside edge.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Leaves this one alone! As it is bowled outside off.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Lovely, lovely stuff! Full and on off, shaping it away. Marsh goes for the drive, just what Morkel wants. But he does not get the edge as the ball beats the bat.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Good length outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! That should break the shackles! The runs were being dried up so this was a much-needed boundary. Fuller on off, not very full though. Marsh plants his front foot forward and times it through covers for a boundary.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. So an over full of outswingers. Another one on off, Tim blocks it off the back foot.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Another ball outside off, Paine is not interested at playing at it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Closer to the off pole but not close enough for the batsman to play at.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. NO BALL! Vern oversteps and bowls it a touch shorter than the last three balls. He attacks the stumps, Tim defends it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Third away seamer and outside off, Paine need not play at those as he leaves it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Away swinger again on off, going away from the batsman. Paine makes a watchful leave. 2 outswingers, be ready for the one that comes in, for the one that Bancroft was not ready.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Starts off with an outswinger on middle, Paine defends it solidly.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Beauty! This is what I was talking about. Closer to the off pole and on a fuller length. First angling it in and then making it leave the batsman. Marsh goes after it with a loose drive but luckily for him he does not edge it.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Closer to the off pole this time and gets it to shape away. Marsh thinks of playing at it but then leaves it. A little closer Morne, that will be the perfect line.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Persists with the line outside off, Marsh does not fiddle with it.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Comes running in and hides the ball in his hand. Fires it full and outside off, wanting the batsman to drive. Marsh though leaves it.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Full and wide outside off, swinging away further. Marsh lets it be.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. WOW! A beauty! The tall man has his tail up here. He comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it shapes away after pitching and also bounces extra. Mitchell Marsh tries to play at it but at the very last moment pulls his bat away.
Morne Morkel will bowl from the other end.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Length ball on off, Cummins plants his front foot forward and defends it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. On a length around off, guided down to deep point for a run.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. On the stumps, Paine keeps it out towards point. The initial call was no but then seeing it was in the gap the batsmen went for the run.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Wide outside off, Paine need not play at it.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fuller outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. On a length around off, defended.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fuller on off, Paine reaches out for it and eases it to covers.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Another beauty but equally well played by Cummins! Bowls it on off, gets it to shape away. Cummins makes a very good leave. End of a wicket-maiden. Outstanding stuff.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Wide outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. On a length around off, kept out.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. Edged but short! Again the outswinger on off, Cummins tries to defend it off the back foot but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to gully.
Vernon Philander to Pat Cummins. On a length around off, left alone.
Pat Cummins walks out to the middle.
Vernon Philander to Mitchell Marsh. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Philander gets another and what a spell this has been by him. When he gets the ball to move like this, he is a terror to face. 49th wicket for him at this venue and it is Marsh who is walking back. His luck runs out as he edges this one. Once again that perfect length, just ahead of a good length area. Gets it to shape away from around off. Marsh has to play at it and he does so as he tries to defend it with no feet movement. The ball takes the outside edge and goes into the hands of the keeper who takes it with ease. The South Africans are all over the Aussies who need another 155 runs to wipe out the first innings' deficit.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Length on off, played towards Bavuma at covers and the batsmen set off for a run. The fielder has a shy but misses, Bavuma has not been able to hit the stumps today.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. How many times have we seen Morkel beating the edge of the bat? Add one more to the count here. Perfect length around off, it shapes away after pitching. Marsh tries to defend but is squared up in that attempt. The ball whizzes past the outside edge.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Leaves this one alone! As it is bowled outside off.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Lovely, lovely stuff! Full and on off, shaping it away. Marsh goes for the drive, just what Morkel wants. But he does not get the edge as the ball beats the bat.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Good length outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! That should break the shackles! The runs were being dried up so this was a much-needed boundary. Fuller on off, not very full though. Marsh plants his front foot forward and times it through covers for a boundary.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. So an over full of outswingers. Another one on off, Tim blocks it off the back foot.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Another ball outside off, Paine is not interested at playing at it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Closer to the off pole but not close enough for the batsman to play at.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. NO BALL! Vern oversteps and bowls it a touch shorter than the last three balls. He attacks the stumps, Tim defends it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Third away seamer and outside off, Paine need not play at those as he leaves it.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Away swinger again on off, going away from the batsman. Paine makes a watchful leave. 2 outswingers, be ready for the one that comes in, for the one that Bancroft was not ready.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. Starts off with an outswinger on middle, Paine defends it solidly.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Beauty! This is what I was talking about. Closer to the off pole and on a fuller length. First angling it in and then making it leave the batsman. Marsh goes after it with a loose drive but luckily for him he does not edge it.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Closer to the off pole this time and gets it to shape away. Marsh thinks of playing at it but then leaves it. A little closer Morne, that will be the perfect line.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Persists with the line outside off, Marsh does not fiddle with it.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Comes running in and hides the ball in his hand. Fires it full and outside off, wanting the batsman to drive. Marsh though leaves it.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Full and wide outside off, swinging away further. Marsh lets it be.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. WOW! A beauty! The tall man has his tail up here. He comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it shapes away after pitching and also bounces extra. Mitchell Marsh tries to play at it but at the very last moment pulls his bat away.
Morne Morkel will bowl from the other end.
Michael Holding (on air) is all praise for Morne Morkel. Congratulates him but also adds that the way he bowled in England last year, had he bowled like that more, he would have got 400-plus wickets. Anyway, 300 is still a lot of wickets.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. The outswinger this time outside off, left alone by Paine.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. A length ball on the stumps, this one too shapes back in. Paine watchfully plays it towards mid-wicket.
A little more than 39 overs left in the day. Don't think we are going to get all of them in the last session. Tim Paine is the new man walking out, he will join Mitchell Marsh at the crease. Vernon Philander to complete his over. Here we go...
... Day 2, Session 3 ...
After losing Steven Smith, the pair of Bancroft and Shaun Marsh did steady things with a 78-run stand but just when it seemed that Australia are crawling their way back, Morne Morkel struck to make Shaun his 300th Test victim. Bancroft played a lovely hand but he too got dismissed towards the fag end of this session. All the three Protea seamers bowled really well but conceded quick runs also (barring Philander). South Africa won't mind that too much though. However, Maharaj's ordinary effort should be bothering them a bit. Once again a couple of sessions have belonged to the home team. Can Australia bounce back like yesterday to make the final session their own? Find out in a short while.
What a session for South Africa! What a day it is turning out to be for them! They have bounced back amazingly well after a collapse yesterday and have snatched the momentum in their favour. Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft fell in the afternoon session and the Australian innings is in disarray. They still trail by more than 150 runs and have their backs to the wall.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. OUT! That's dead plumb. No bat there and three reds on the Ball Tracker. Everything is adjacent. Vernon lets out a venomous delivery on a length around off, Bancroft's front foot comes right across, his head falls on the off side as he tries playing it on the leg side. But the ball tails back in to thud him on his front pad. Philander is jubilant as he makes a running appeal. The umpire slowly raises his finger. Cameron takes the referral after having a conversation with his partner. To be honest, that looked plumb to the naked eye. And that's the case even on the replays. Hitting the top of middle and leg. Bancroft walks back and that will be TEA ON DAY 2!
Cameron Bancroft is found dead plumb in front of the wickets. The umpire has raised his finger and the batsman in question takes the referral. Only an inside edge can save him, only...
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Angling into the batsman, around off, Bancroft defends it by getting forward.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. And to round off this over, another delivery is bowled outside off. Mitchell Marsh shoulders arms. A little wayward by Morne in this over. Expected better from him against the new batsman.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Aahhh...here comes the delivery which is served closer to the off stump line. To add to it, it has got movement as well. Cuts back in, beats Marsh's defensive bat and hits him on the thigh pad. It flies behind, one of the slip fielders dives to catch the ball and they appeal. The bowler also joins in late but the umpire remains unmoved. No bat there, the replays confirm.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Morkel has served another one in the zone outside off, it's too easy for the newbie at the crease as he lets it through.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Continues to be very wide outside off to bother the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Another one too wide outside off, Mitchell lets it through.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Too wide outside off, Marsh shoulders arms. Last few deliveries have been quite outside off.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Wide outside off, a comfortable leave for Bancroft.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Angling into the batsman, Bancroft has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Has become very watchful since the second ball. Bancroft is watching the line very closely and is not committing himself into any kind of shot. Makes a leave again.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. How did that miss the outside edge? A beautifully bowled delivery, angling into the batsman around off and Bancroft tries working it around the corner. He thought he has got the line covered but doesn't account for the movement. It curves past the outside edge. That was ohhhh-so-close from kissing the bat.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Gets properly behind the line and blocks it safely.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Another leave outside the off stump.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Shortish and outside off, shaping away, Marsh leaves it.
Mitch Marsh comes to the crease, replacing his elder brother. Australia are in a spot of bother at the moment.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. OUT! Wicket number 300 for Morne Morkel in Tests! He is absolutely delighted and gets mobbed by his teammates. A very ordinary shot attempted by Shaun Marsh. He did the hard work to survive the initial phase but has thrown away a start. Even Morkel will admit that it's not a wicket-taking delivery. But credit to him for playing on the batsman's patience. He lures Marsh into a shot to a delivery well wide outside off. The southpaw falls into the trap, goes chasing after it and gets a thick outside edge to de Kock. The crowd is ecstatic as the 78-run stand has been broken. Big moment for Morne as he joins the elite club. Australia trail by 161 runs.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Extra bounce this time, around off, takes the batsman by surprise, Marsh keeps it out from the shoulder of the bat.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Operates from around the wicket and angles in a length ball on middle and off, Marsh defends it off his back foot.
Morne Morkel returns for one more burst before tea.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Keeps bowling on a good length just around off, this time Cameron defends it watchfully off his back foot.
Michael Holding (on air) is all praise for Morne Morkel. Congratulates him but also adds that the way he bowled in England last year, had he bowled like that more, he would have got 400-plus wickets. Anyway, 300 is still a lot of wickets.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. The outswinger this time outside off, left alone by Paine.
Vernon Philander to Tim Paine. A length ball on the stumps, this one too shapes back in. Paine watchfully plays it towards mid-wicket.
A little more than 39 overs left in the day. Don't think we are going to get all of them in the last session. Tim Paine is the new man walking out, he will join Mitchell Marsh at the crease. Vernon Philander to complete his over. Here we go...
... Day 2, Session 3 ...
After losing Steven Smith, the pair of Bancroft and Shaun Marsh did steady things with a 78-run stand but just when it seemed that Australia are crawling their way back, Morne Morkel struck to make Shaun his 300th Test victim. Bancroft played a lovely hand but he too got dismissed towards the fag end of this session. All the three Protea seamers bowled really well but conceded quick runs also (barring Philander). South Africa won't mind that too much though. However, Maharaj's ordinary effort should be bothering them a bit. Once again a couple of sessions have belonged to the home team. Can Australia bounce back like yesterday to make the final session their own? Find out in a short while.
What a session for South Africa! What a day it is turning out to be for them! They have bounced back amazingly well after a collapse yesterday and have snatched the momentum in their favour. Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft fell in the afternoon session and the Australian innings is in disarray. They still trail by more than 150 runs and have their backs to the wall.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. OUT! That's dead plumb. No bat there and three reds on the Ball Tracker. Everything is adjacent. Vernon lets out a venomous delivery on a length around off, Bancroft's front foot comes right across, his head falls on the off side as he tries playing it on the leg side. But the ball tails back in to thud him on his front pad. Philander is jubilant as he makes a running appeal. The umpire slowly raises his finger. Cameron takes the referral after having a conversation with his partner. To be honest, that looked plumb to the naked eye. And that's the case even on the replays. Hitting the top of middle and leg. Bancroft walks back and that will be TEA ON DAY 2!
Cameron Bancroft is found dead plumb in front of the wickets. The umpire has raised his finger and the batsman in question takes the referral. Only an inside edge can save him, only...
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Angling into the batsman, around off, Bancroft defends it by getting forward.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. And to round off this over, another delivery is bowled outside off. Mitchell Marsh shoulders arms. A little wayward by Morne in this over. Expected better from him against the new batsman.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Aahhh...here comes the delivery which is served closer to the off stump line. To add to it, it has got movement as well. Cuts back in, beats Marsh's defensive bat and hits him on the thigh pad. It flies behind, one of the slip fielders dives to catch the ball and they appeal. The bowler also joins in late but the umpire remains unmoved. No bat there, the replays confirm.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Morkel has served another one in the zone outside off, it's too easy for the newbie at the crease as he lets it through.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Continues to be very wide outside off to bother the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Another one too wide outside off, Mitchell lets it through.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Too wide outside off, Marsh shoulders arms. Last few deliveries have been quite outside off.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Wide outside off, a comfortable leave for Bancroft.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Angling into the batsman, Bancroft has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Has become very watchful since the second ball. Bancroft is watching the line very closely and is not committing himself into any kind of shot. Makes a leave again.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. How did that miss the outside edge? A beautifully bowled delivery, angling into the batsman around off and Bancroft tries working it around the corner. He thought he has got the line covered but doesn't account for the movement. It curves past the outside edge. That was ohhhh-so-close from kissing the bat.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Gets properly behind the line and blocks it safely.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Another leave outside the off stump.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. Shortish and outside off, shaping away, Marsh leaves it.
Mitch Marsh comes to the crease, replacing his elder brother. Australia are in a spot of bother at the moment.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. OUT! Wicket number 300 for Morne Morkel in Tests! He is absolutely delighted and gets mobbed by his teammates. A very ordinary shot attempted by Shaun Marsh. He did the hard work to survive the initial phase but has thrown away a start. Even Morkel will admit that it's not a wicket-taking delivery. But credit to him for playing on the batsman's patience. He lures Marsh into a shot to a delivery well wide outside off. The southpaw falls into the trap, goes chasing after it and gets a thick outside edge to de Kock. The crowd is ecstatic as the 78-run stand has been broken. Big moment for Morne as he joins the elite club. Australia trail by 161 runs.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Extra bounce this time, around off, takes the batsman by surprise, Marsh keeps it out from the shoulder of the bat.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Operates from around the wicket and angles in a length ball on middle and off, Marsh defends it off his back foot.
Morne Morkel returns for one more burst before tea.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Keeps bowling on a good length just around off, this time Cameron defends it watchfully off his back foot.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. EDGY FOUR! Identical to the last delivery, once again Bancroft commits himself to play inside the line and this time gets an outside edge. It races through the gap between slips and gully for a boundary. A tick for the bowler and runs for the batsman. 150 up for Australia!
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Beaten! A length ball just around off, Bancroft tries to play inside the line but it shapes away a little to beat the outside edge.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Good length delivery outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a length outside off, staying a bit low, Cameron plays it down towards point.
Vernon Philander is back into the attack.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Makes yet another leave outside the off stump and then signals for something towards his dressing room. Maybe, he wants to change his gloves.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Good length delivery outside off, Marsh shoulders arms after covering his stumps.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Full and around off, Marsh draws forward and defends it to the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. FOUR! Sublime! A touch overpitched outside off, Marsh gets forward and times his cover drive exceptionally well. The placement is also superb as it races through.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Outside off, left alone.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. A flick of the wrists this time as Shaun works it through the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Once again uses his feet to reach the pitch of the delivery and pushes it back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Walks down the track and drives it straight to covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Once again it's spinning back in from around off, Marsh works it behind square leg and Philander attacks it from fine leg. No run taken.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Turning back into the batsman from around off, it's defended from the crease.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Shortish and on middle and leg, Marsh turns it off his hips to short fine leg.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good leave. That was a tempter. Landing on a driving length outside off and straightens a bit after hitting the pitch. Bancroft points his bat skywards and makes the leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Slants in a length ball on off, Bancroft gets on the front foot and defends it back to the bowler.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good length ball on off, Bancroft is firmly behind the line as he defends it down to covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. This one is angled into the batsman, on a length, Bancroft plays it late and helps it towards mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Around off on a length, Bancroft defends it from the back foot.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Shortish and on middle, tapped behind square leg for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Bancroft has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Driven towards the mid on region. They pick up a single.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Knocks a full ball down to deepish mid on for a run. Maharaj is not happy with the fielding. Has a chat with his skipper and an extra cover fielder has been added.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! A fractionally too full from Maharaj, it lands around leg and Bancroft whips it through mid-wicket to fetch yet another boundary in this over.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Gets on the front foot to a full ball and defends it back.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Loopy and around off, Bancroft gets down and across to play a cute little paddle sweep. Good connection is made and it races through beating the diving effort near the fence by Bavuma.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. A stifled appeal for an lbw! A back of a length delivery landing outside off and nipping back sharply into the batsman. Marsh offers no shot and is hit high on his front pad.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Rabada keeps it on a length around off, Marsh opens the face of the bat and defends it watchfully.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Too full in length outside off, it's driven through the line and straight to the cover fielder. He misfields a touch but it rolls towards mid off. No chance of a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Loses his line this time, Rabada. Serves it down the leg side and is lucky that Marsh fails to get any bat behind it.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Lands it full and outside off, Marsh gets half forward and gently pushes it through the vacant cover-point region. A nicely judged couple of runs taken.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. EDGY FOUR! Identical to the last delivery, once again Bancroft commits himself to play inside the line and this time gets an outside edge. It races through the gap between slips and gully for a boundary. A tick for the bowler and runs for the batsman. 150 up for Australia!
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Beaten! A length ball just around off, Bancroft tries to play inside the line but it shapes away a little to beat the outside edge.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Good length delivery outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a length outside off, staying a bit low, Cameron plays it down towards point.
Vernon Philander is back into the attack.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Makes yet another leave outside the off stump and then signals for something towards his dressing room. Maybe, he wants to change his gloves.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Good length delivery outside off, Marsh shoulders arms after covering his stumps.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Full and around off, Marsh draws forward and defends it to the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. FOUR! Sublime! A touch overpitched outside off, Marsh gets forward and times his cover drive exceptionally well. The placement is also superb as it races through.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Outside off, left alone.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. A flick of the wrists this time as Shaun works it through the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Once again uses his feet to reach the pitch of the delivery and pushes it back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Walks down the track and drives it straight to covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Once again it's spinning back in from around off, Marsh works it behind square leg and Philander attacks it from fine leg. No run taken.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Turning back into the batsman from around off, it's defended from the crease.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Shortish and on middle and leg, Marsh turns it off his hips to short fine leg.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good leave. That was a tempter. Landing on a driving length outside off and straightens a bit after hitting the pitch. Bancroft points his bat skywards and makes the leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Slants in a length ball on off, Bancroft gets on the front foot and defends it back to the bowler.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good length ball on off, Bancroft is firmly behind the line as he defends it down to covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. This one is angled into the batsman, on a length, Bancroft plays it late and helps it towards mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Around off on a length, Bancroft defends it from the back foot.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Shortish and on middle, tapped behind square leg for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Bancroft has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Driven towards the mid on region. They pick up a single.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Knocks a full ball down to deepish mid on for a run. Maharaj is not happy with the fielding. Has a chat with his skipper and an extra cover fielder has been added.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! A fractionally too full from Maharaj, it lands around leg and Bancroft whips it through mid-wicket to fetch yet another boundary in this over.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Gets on the front foot to a full ball and defends it back.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Loopy and around off, Bancroft gets down and across to play a cute little paddle sweep. Good connection is made and it races through beating the diving effort near the fence by Bavuma.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. A stifled appeal for an lbw! A back of a length delivery landing outside off and nipping back sharply into the batsman. Marsh offers no shot and is hit high on his front pad.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Rabada keeps it on a length around off, Marsh opens the face of the bat and defends it watchfully.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Too full in length outside off, it's driven through the line and straight to the cover fielder. He misfields a touch but it rolls towards mid off. No chance of a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Loses his line this time, Rabada. Serves it down the leg side and is lucky that Marsh fails to get any bat behind it.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Lands it full and outside off, Marsh gets half forward and gently pushes it through the vacant cover-point region. A nicely judged couple of runs taken.
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Rabada speeds in from round the wicket and arrows in a fuller length ball on middle and off, Marsh covers the line and keeps it out safely to covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Uppish but safe. A slider on middle, skidding back in, Bancroft fails to control his flick shot and it goes aerially on the leg side. Wide of mid-wicket though.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Brilliant fielding, Bavuma! A flighted full ball outside off has been drilled through the line by Marsh. It has four written all over it but Bavuma at covers makes an outstanding diving stop. It's however not a clean one as the batsmen switch ends.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Slower through the air this time, lands it full and outside off, gets some extra bite and spin, Marsh lunges and defends it with soft hands to covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. A nicely tossed up delivery on middle, fuller in length, it's eased down to long on for one.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Lets the ball to spin back into him and nudges it in front of square leg for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Just taps it down in the gap at covers and retains strike.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Played well. This is a good contest between bat and ball. Rabada overpitches this time, outside off, Bancroft brings his bat down and forces it past mid off for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up!
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Beaten again! One can smell a wicket at the moment. Rabada is a real quality bowler, troubling the batsman who is batting on 57! A bit of movement from the surface, Cameron feels for it and gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Excellent delivery. This one jags back into the batsman from a good length around off, Bancroft fails to keep it out and is hit high on the front leg. Beaten for pace and bounce.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good length delivery, once again in the region outside off, Bancroft watches it closely this time before making a leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Play and a miss! Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, holding its line, Bancroft stays back to play at it but misses.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Tossed up around off, driven down towards mid on where the fielder stopped the ball with a dive. A single to end the over.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Flighted and full on leg, flicked on the leg side but the mid-wicket fielder made the stop.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Walks forward again and pushes it down through mid on for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. FOUR! This time he finds the gap. Once again Marsh shimmies down the track to a full ball and blazes his cover drive in the gap for a boundary. The plan seems that they don't want the spinner to settle down.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Tossed up ball around off, Maharaj comes down the track and drives it straight to the cover fielder.
Keshav Maharaj continues...
Drinks break. South Africa continue to remain in front. They snatched the advantage this morning after Australia's inspirational comeback last evening and since then have maintained a good hold. A wicket soon after the lunch break, that too of Steven Smith, has put them firmly in the driver's seat. The Australian innings is crying for partnerships and they seem to be having one at the moment. Cameron Bancroft has settled down and the tourists will want him to play a big knock. Let's see how the second hour pans out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. A mixed bag over by Rabada!
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Nice shot! The bowler won't mind though as he got the batsman driving. Full in length and outside off, Bancroft is nicely forward as he executes a lovely square drive for a boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. This one hurries back in, from a back of a length around off, Bancroft goes on the back foot and keeps it out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Too wide on this occasion, Bancroft has nothing to do with it.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. That's superb from KG! Takes just two balls to find his rhythm and line. Bowls it closer to the off stump this time, a shade of away movement there, Bancroft without much footwork pushes inside the line and misses. That one was delivered from wide of the crease. A tough angle, something that Makhaya Ntini mastered.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Will call it a loosener first up, it's full and wide outside off, an easy leave for Bancroft.
Kagiso Rabada is back for another burst.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. On the shorter side as it spins back into the batsman, Marsh goes back and plays it towards silly mid on.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Steps down the track a bit to a fuller length ball and blocks it safely.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Marsh has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. A bit on the shorter side this time, around off, Marsh goes back in defense.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Flighted and full on off, Marsh defends it off his front foot.
First look of Keshav Maharaj. He has a slip, 0
Kagiso Rabada to Shaun Marsh. Rabada speeds in from round the wicket and arrows in a fuller length ball on middle and off, Marsh covers the line and keeps it out safely to covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Uppish but safe. A slider on middle, skidding back in, Bancroft fails to control his flick shot and it goes aerially on the leg side. Wide of mid-wicket though.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Brilliant fielding, Bavuma! A flighted full ball outside off has been drilled through the line by Marsh. It has four written all over it but Bavuma at covers makes an outstanding diving stop. It's however not a clean one as the batsmen switch ends.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Slower through the air this time, lands it full and outside off, gets some extra bite and spin, Marsh lunges and defends it with soft hands to covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. A nicely tossed up delivery on middle, fuller in length, it's eased down to long on for one.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Lets the ball to spin back into him and nudges it in front of square leg for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Just taps it down in the gap at covers and retains strike.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Played well. This is a good contest between bat and ball. Rabada overpitches this time, outside off, Bancroft brings his bat down and forces it past mid off for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up!
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Beaten again! One can smell a wicket at the moment. Rabada is a real quality bowler, troubling the batsman who is batting on 57! A bit of movement from the surface, Cameron feels for it and gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Excellent delivery. This one jags back into the batsman from a good length around off, Bancroft fails to keep it out and is hit high on the front leg. Beaten for pace and bounce.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good length delivery, once again in the region outside off, Bancroft watches it closely this time before making a leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Play and a miss! Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, holding its line, Bancroft stays back to play at it but misses.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Tossed up around off, driven down towards mid on where the fielder stopped the ball with a dive. A single to end the over.
Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Bancroft. Flighted and full on leg, flicked on the leg side but the mid-wicket fielder made the stop.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Walks forward again and pushes it down through mid on for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. FOUR! This time he finds the gap. Once again Marsh shimmies down the track to a full ball and blazes his cover drive in the gap for a boundary. The plan seems that they don't want the spinner to settle down.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Tossed up ball around off, Maharaj comes down the track and drives it straight to the cover fielder.
Keshav Maharaj continues...
Drinks break. South Africa continue to remain in front. They snatched the advantage this morning after Australia's inspirational comeback last evening and since then have maintained a good hold. A wicket soon after the lunch break, that too of Steven Smith, has put them firmly in the driver's seat. The Australian innings is crying for partnerships and they seem to be having one at the moment. Cameron Bancroft has settled down and the tourists will want him to play a big knock. Let's see how the second hour pans out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. A mixed bag over by Rabada!
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Nice shot! The bowler won't mind though as he got the batsman driving. Full in length and outside off, Bancroft is nicely forward as he executes a lovely square drive for a boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. This one hurries back in, from a back of a length around off, Bancroft goes on the back foot and keeps it out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Too wide on this occasion, Bancroft has nothing to do with it.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. That's superb from KG! Takes just two balls to find his rhythm and line. Bowls it closer to the off stump this time, a shade of away movement there, Bancroft without much footwork pushes inside the line and misses. That one was delivered from wide of the crease. A tough angle, something that Makhaya Ntini mastered.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Will call it a loosener first up, it's full and wide outside off, an easy leave for Bancroft.
Kagiso Rabada is back for another burst.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. On the shorter side as it spins back into the batsman, Marsh goes back and plays it towards silly mid on.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Steps down the track a bit to a fuller length ball and blocks it safely.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Marsh has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. A bit on the shorter side this time, around off, Marsh goes back in defense.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. Flighted and full on off, Marsh defends it off his front foot.
First look of Keshav Maharaj. He has a slip, short leg and a silly mid on in place.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Gently plays it down in the cover region for a run.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Fuller and outside off, driven through covers for one.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Bang! That's cracked away and Bancroft reaches his 3rd Test fifty in some style. Short in length and outside off, Bancroft holds his posture inside the crease, gets on top of the bounce and smacks it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. Superb knock by the opener, he will now look to make it big! Australia trail by 204 runs.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. On a length outside off, holding its line, Bancroft chooses to leave it.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! A full length ball on middle and leg, shaping back in a bit, Bancroft tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It races past the leg gully fielder for a boundary. Closing in on a fifty, Cameron!
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Good length ball angling into the batsman, around middle and leg, Marsh eases it down to long leg and crosses for a run.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Down the leg side, Marsh fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. A leg bye to end the over.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Stays low, hmm... Vernon lands it on a length around middle, Marsh keeps his eyes on the ball and blocks it safely.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Angling away from the southpaw, Marsh covers the line and allows it through.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Ekes out an inside edge this time, Philander. He drops it on a fuller length outside off and invites the drive. Bancroft is not entirely forward as he attempts to stroke it through covers. Gets a big fat inside edge past the stumps to fine leg for a run. On another day that would have made contact with the wickets. Very lucky, CB!
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Once again serves it on a length but this time the line is outside off, Cameron lets it through to de Kock.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a good length around middle, some extra bounce, Bancroft tries working it on the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. FOUR! Wow, gorgeous from the bat of Shaun Marsh. He presses forward to a full ball outside off and drives it crisply through extra cover for a boundary. Lovely followthrough of the bat, so good to watch.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Nice and full around off, from round the wicket, Marsh defends it.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Sliding down the leg side, on a fuller length, Bancroft fails to connect properly with his flick shot. It still goes in the gap behind square leg and they rotate the strike.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Morkel hits the deck hard and lets out a back of a length delivery on off, Cameron is on his toes in defense.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Ooohhhh...this one comes back in very sharply. Morkel lands it on a length outside off, Bancroft tries to defend from the crease but it beats the inside edge of his bat and sails over the off stump.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Last delivery is quite wide outside off, an easy leave this time for Shaun.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. This time the line is around middle and off and Marsh has to come forward to block it.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Make it three gutsy leaves in a row. Another delivery angling across the batsman, around off and leaving the batsman, Marsh knows where his off stump is and shoulders arms.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Another close leave. Philander is sticking to a good line. Landing it on middle and off, Marsh once again offers no shot and lets it go over the stumps.
Kagiso Rabada is loosening up.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Brave leave. A length ball close to off stump, Marsh watches the line, trusts the bounce and then lets it through. Not far from the off pole.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Played to the point region by the batsman. No run.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Exemplary shot! Morkel is too full and too straight on this occasion, Bancroft unfurls a lovely straight drive back past the diving bowler for a boundary down the ground. No stopping this one. 12 from the over!
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Beauty! On a good length just outside off, moving away just a wee bit, Bancroft commits at playing at it and gets beaten. That nearly took the outside edge.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Just ahead of a length around off, Bancroft pushes it right back and Morkel only manages to get some hand behind it. It races down and the mid off fielder cuts it off. Another couple of runs added to the total.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Lovely piece of fielding by Philander, saves two runs for his side. Morkel claps for the effort. A delivery around middle and leg has been nudged fine down the leg side. Philander runs across to his left from deep square leg and dives to pull it back.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Morkel switches to around the wicket for the left-hander. Bowls it full and around off, a hint of away shape there, Marsh gets on the front foot and plays quietly inside the line. It takes the outer half of the bat and races through backward point. De Villiers chases it down and they take three runs.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Short of a length delivery outside off, Bancroft goes on his toes and plays it down in the gap at covers for a single.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. A touch short and around leg, Marsh goes back and tap short leg and a silly mid on in place.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Gently plays it down in the cover region for a run.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Fuller and outside off, driven through covers for one.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Bang! That's cracked away and Bancroft reaches his 3rd Test fifty in some style. Short in length and outside off, Bancroft holds his posture inside the crease, gets on top of the bounce and smacks it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. Superb knock by the opener, he will now look to make it big! Australia trail by 204 runs.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. On a length outside off, holding its line, Bancroft chooses to leave it.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! A full length ball on middle and leg, shaping back in a bit, Bancroft tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It races past the leg gully fielder for a boundary. Closing in on a fifty, Cameron!
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Good length ball angling into the batsman, around middle and leg, Marsh eases it down to long leg and crosses for a run.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Down the leg side, Marsh fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. A leg bye to end the over.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Stays low, hmm... Vernon lands it on a length around middle, Marsh keeps his eyes on the ball and blocks it safely.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Angling away from the southpaw, Marsh covers the line and allows it through.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Ekes out an inside edge this time, Philander. He drops it on a fuller length outside off and invites the drive. Bancroft is not entirely forward as he attempts to stroke it through covers. Gets a big fat inside edge past the stumps to fine leg for a run. On another day that would have made contact with the wickets. Very lucky, CB!
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Once again serves it on a length but this time the line is outside off, Cameron lets it through to de Kock.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a good length around middle, some extra bounce, Bancroft tries working it on the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. FOUR! Wow, gorgeous from the bat of Shaun Marsh. He presses forward to a full ball outside off and drives it crisply through extra cover for a boundary. Lovely followthrough of the bat, so good to watch.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Nice and full around off, from round the wicket, Marsh defends it.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Sliding down the leg side, on a fuller length, Bancroft fails to connect properly with his flick shot. It still goes in the gap behind square leg and they rotate the strike.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Morkel hits the deck hard and lets out a back of a length delivery on off, Cameron is on his toes in defense.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Ooohhhh...this one comes back in very sharply. Morkel lands it on a length outside off, Bancroft tries to defend from the crease but it beats the inside edge of his bat and sails over the off stump.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Last delivery is quite wide outside off, an easy leave this time for Shaun.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. This time the line is around middle and off and Marsh has to come forward to block it.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Make it three gutsy leaves in a row. Another delivery angling across the batsman, around off and leaving the batsman, Marsh knows where his off stump is and shoulders arms.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Another close leave. Philander is sticking to a good line. Landing it on middle and off, Marsh once again offers no shot and lets it go over the stumps.
Kagiso Rabada is loosening up.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Brave leave. A length ball close to off stump, Marsh watches the line, trusts the bounce and then lets it through. Not far from the off pole.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Played to the point region by the batsman. No run.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Exemplary shot! Morkel is too full and too straight on this occasion, Bancroft unfurls a lovely straight drive back past the diving bowler for a boundary down the ground. No stopping this one. 12 from the over!
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Beauty! On a good length just outside off, moving away just a wee bit, Bancroft commits at playing at it and gets beaten. That nearly took the outside edge.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Just ahead of a length around off, Bancroft pushes it right back and Morkel only manages to get some hand behind it. It races down and the mid off fielder cuts it off. Another couple of runs added to the total.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Lovely piece of fielding by Philander, saves two runs for his side. Morkel claps for the effort. A delivery around middle and leg has been nudged fine down the leg side. Philander runs across to his left from deep square leg and dives to pull it back.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Morkel switches to around the wicket for the left-hander. Bowls it full and around off, a hint of away shape there, Marsh gets on the front foot and plays quietly inside the line. It takes the outer half of the bat and races through backward point. De Villiers chases it down and they take three runs.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Short of a length delivery outside off, Bancroft goes on his toes and plays it down in the gap at covers for a single.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. A touch short and around leg, Marsh goes back and taps it down in front of square leg.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. That's the line. Keeping it full and just around off, forcing the batsman to play at it. Marsh leans forward and defends it with his bat and pad placed together.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Hurls in a length delivery wide outside off, Marsh has nothing to do with it.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Gets back and defends it to the off side.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Fullish and outside off, driven nicely down the ground but it's fielded at mid off.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Too wide outside off, an easy leave for Marsh.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Shortish and around off, Cameron defends it off his back foot.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Fine pull shot! Bancroft has played most of his cricket at Perth and he is habituated to playing cross-batted shots. Does well here to ride the bounce, keeps his eyes on the ball and sends it racing away to the deep mid-wicket fence.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Goes on the back foot and defends it down safely.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Another edge, this time the outside half of the bat. Marsh is the batsman. He tries defending from the crease but it moves away to take the outside edge. Runs down to third man and they cross.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Direct hit but no harm done! A length ball around off, moving back in a shade off the seam, Bancroft stays back to defend but it takes the inside edge and runs down to fine leg. They cross for an easy run. Philander meanwhile picks up the ball and hurls it in towards the keeper's end. Hits the timber, but no overthrow. Strangely, de Kock has not come up to the stumps to collect the throw. Where is he, asks Mike Haysman on air? Probably, saving his legs.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Outside off, it has been left alone by Cameron Bancroft.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Bowls it in the corridor outside off, Marsh makes a watchful leave to end the over.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Fullish and on the pads, Marsh keeps it out off his pads to mid-wicket.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Straighter in line, played on the leg side to mid-wicket.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Risky single, what are Australia up to? Do they need to take these chances currently? It's a length ball around off, Cameron taps it down to covers and calls his partner through for a quick single. Bavuma attacks the ball, has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Touch and go, that. Probably, they are underestimating Bavuma as a fielder. This is the second instance that a batting pair has taken him on. Should go back and watch the clip of Bavuma running Warner out in the Perth Test in 2016.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Lovely delivery, angling into the batsman on a length and straightening a hint after pitching around off, Bancroft does well to defend it with a vertical bat.
Vernon Philander is brought back into the attack.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. End of a successful over, a wicket maiden!
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Pitching around leg, some extra bounce again, Marsh is hurried up and is hit on the thigh pad. The South Africans get excited for a moment but nothing doing.
Shaun Marsh walks in next at number 5.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. OUT! A very soft dismissal for Steven Smith! Morkel has snapped his second wicket and it's a big one. He follows up the bouncer with a back of a length delivery outside off. There is a hint of away shape along with extra bounce as Smith has a needless push inside the line with an angled bat. He ends up playing it aerially and straight into the hands of Elgar at gully. He makes no mistake and a big roaring celebration from the Proteas follows. They surely know the value of this wicket. Morne Morkel who was left out for the last Test is leaving a big impact already.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. Morkel attempts to push the batsman deep inside the crease. He hurls in a bouncer and Smith is forced to duck.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. Good length delivery just outside off, holding its line, Smith with his trademark shuffle across the stumps covers the line and then leaves it alone.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. A little short in length around off, Smith goes on his toes and defends it down on the leg side.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. In the region outside off, Bancroft shoulders arms. Probing over by KG!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Shaping back into the batsman from around off, Smith helps it off from the inner half of the bat to backward square leg. A single taken.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. This one is on a length outside off, Smith rather than lining his front foot, lines his head up and relies on his hand-eye coordination. Makes good connection with his cover drive but finds the fielder.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Rabada alters his length and line this time, it's full and more in the line of the off stump, Smith gets behind the line and defends it.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Beaten all ends up! Terrific delivery, clocked 148 kph and it's on a back of a length outside off, Smith looks to punch it off his back foot but is beaten for pace. Top bowling by Kagiso!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Bowls it from wide of the crease and angles in a full ball around off, Smith gets across the stumps, covers the line and defends it back.
Kagiso Rabada to continue...
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Morkel goes short around off and as he always gets there is some extra bounce, Bancroft does well to keep it down and safe on the off side.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. That's the line. Keeping it full and just around off, forcing the batsman to play at it. Marsh leans forward and defends it with his bat and pad placed together.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Hurls in a length delivery wide outside off, Marsh has nothing to do with it.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Gets back and defends it to the off side.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Fullish and outside off, driven nicely down the ground but it's fielded at mid off.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Too wide outside off, an easy leave for Marsh.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Shortish and around off, Cameron defends it off his back foot.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Fine pull shot! Bancroft has played most of his cricket at Perth and he is habituated to playing cross-batted shots. Does well here to ride the bounce, keeps his eyes on the ball and sends it racing away to the deep mid-wicket fence.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Goes on the back foot and defends it down safely.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Another edge, this time the outside half of the bat. Marsh is the batsman. He tries defending from the crease but it moves away to take the outside edge. Runs down to third man and they cross.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Direct hit but no harm done! A length ball around off, moving back in a shade off the seam, Bancroft stays back to defend but it takes the inside edge and runs down to fine leg. They cross for an easy run. Philander meanwhile picks up the ball and hurls it in towards the keeper's end. Hits the timber, but no overthrow. Strangely, de Kock has not come up to the stumps to collect the throw. Where is he, asks Mike Haysman on air? Probably, saving his legs.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Outside off, it has been left alone by Cameron Bancroft.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Bowls it in the corridor outside off, Marsh makes a watchful leave to end the over.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Fullish and on the pads, Marsh keeps it out off his pads to mid-wicket.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Vernon Philander to Shaun Marsh. Straighter in line, played on the leg side to mid-wicket.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Risky single, what are Australia up to? Do they need to take these chances currently? It's a length ball around off, Cameron taps it down to covers and calls his partner through for a quick single. Bavuma attacks the ball, has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Touch and go, that. Probably, they are underestimating Bavuma as a fielder. This is the second instance that a batting pair has taken him on. Should go back and watch the clip of Bavuma running Warner out in the Perth Test in 2016.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Lovely delivery, angling into the batsman on a length and straightening a hint after pitching around off, Bancroft does well to defend it with a vertical bat.
Vernon Philander is brought back into the attack.
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. End of a successful over, a wicket maiden!
Morne Morkel to Shaun Marsh. Pitching around leg, some extra bounce again, Marsh is hurried up and is hit on the thigh pad. The South Africans get excited for a moment but nothing doing.
Shaun Marsh walks in next at number 5.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. OUT! A very soft dismissal for Steven Smith! Morkel has snapped his second wicket and it's a big one. He follows up the bouncer with a back of a length delivery outside off. There is a hint of away shape along with extra bounce as Smith has a needless push inside the line with an angled bat. He ends up playing it aerially and straight into the hands of Elgar at gully. He makes no mistake and a big roaring celebration from the Proteas follows. They surely know the value of this wicket. Morne Morkel who was left out for the last Test is leaving a big impact already.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. Morkel attempts to push the batsman deep inside the crease. He hurls in a bouncer and Smith is forced to duck.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. Good length delivery just outside off, holding its line, Smith with his trademark shuffle across the stumps covers the line and then leaves it alone.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. A little short in length around off, Smith goes on his toes and defends it down on the leg side.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. In the region outside off, Bancroft shoulders arms. Probing over by KG!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Shaping back into the batsman from around off, Smith helps it off from the inner half of the bat to backward square leg. A single taken.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. This one is on a length outside off, Smith rather than lining his front foot, lines his head up and relies on his hand-eye coordination. Makes good connection with his cover drive but finds the fielder.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Rabada alters his length and line this time, it's full and more in the line of the off stump, Smith gets behind the line and defends it.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Beaten all ends up! Terrific delivery, clocked 148 kph and it's on a back of a length outside off, Smith looks to punch it off his back foot but is beaten for pace. Top bowling by Kagiso!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Bowls it from wide of the crease and angles in a full ball around off, Smith gets across the stumps, covers the line and defends it back.
Kagiso Rabada to continue...
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Morkel goes short around off and as he always gets there is some extra bounce, Bancroft does well to keep it down and safe on the off side.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Angling into the batsman on a good length around middle, Bancroft gets back and blocks it on the leg side.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! That's a good shot! Morkel doles it out on a good length outside off, Cameron drives it on the up and middles it nicely to find the gap at backward point. It races away to the fence in no time.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Extra zip and lift from the surface, on a back of a length, Bancroft goes on the back foot and defends it back.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. This time Morkel serves it on a good length outside off, holding its line, Cameron shoulders arms.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Starts the session with a well-cooked short delivery. Nicely targeted at the batsman and Bancroft eventually does well to sway away from the line.
Back for the afternoon session. The players concerned are back on the field. A crucial phase in this Test match as the visiting team find themselves on the back foot after losing two top order batsmen. South Africa are on top and they are in a huddle at the moment - a long discussion before they spread. Morne Morkel will continue his spell from this end. Bancroft to face. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...
... Day 2, Session 2 ...
Australia still trail by another 244 runs. They have their best batsman Steven Smith out there along with Cameron Bancroft and the away side will hope these two stitch a good partnership. The home side on the flip side would like to see the back of the Aussie skipper as soon as possible. Join us for the second session in a while.
The visiting team needed a good start by their openers and they got exactly that as Warner and Bancroft were milking runs. They did not start off in a convincing manner but in the fourth over Warner hit Rabada for three boundaries in a row and then the runs started to flow. Kagiso Rabada, however, came back roaring as he pegged the Australians back with the big wicket of Warner and then Morkel ensured South Africa headed into the break as the happier side by claiming Usman Khawaja at the stroke of lunch.
PHEW! What a session, a session full of action is what we got to witness! Test cricket at its best. First South Africa played the first hour, stretched their total above 300, courtesy a 50-run stand between Elgar and Rabada and then managed to hunt down two Australian wickets.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Nicely played! That stays a little low though! On a length around off, it comes back in and also stays low. Smith does really well to get his bat down in time to keep it out. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. On a length around off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. NO BALL! Oversteps again! The batsman defends it from within the crease. No ball signalled by the umpire.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. BRUTE OF A DELIVERY! A stinger for Smith! The crowd here absolutely loved it. Short on middle, it skids off the surface. Smith tries to defend it but is surprised by the bounce. He takes his eyes off the ball and it hits him on the forearm and falls beside the pitch.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Good length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. FOUR! Off the mark in some style! Top shot! Full and wide outside off, Smith leans into it and caresses it through covers and the ball races away. Immediately the Aussie skipper after hitting the shot gets back and practices how to make a leave along with admiring his shot. Michael Holding (on air) claims, that's the correct line but not the length to bowl.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes signalled by the umpire.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. A bumper to end the over! Smith evades it.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. A bouncer on middle, ducked under.
Steven Smith walks out to the middle.
Morne Morkel to Usman Khawaja. OUT! In the air... taken! Morne Morkel has taken just three deliveries to make an impact in this Test. Good start for him, he would have been anxious to take a wicket and he gets it right before the stroke of lunch. Test wicket no. 298 for him. He comes running in and bangs it short on middle, Khawaja takes on the challenge of pulling it but mistimes it. The ball goes high up in the air towards Rabada who moves across a bit to his right from fine leg to grab a fine catch. A dejected Usman walks back. He showed signs of returning to form in the last innings but does not do a lot in this one. Also, the choice of shot with lunch just around the corner is quite questionable. Australia trail by another 250 runs and they are in a spot of bother here.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around off, pushed towards cover for a quick run.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Full points to the bowler but runs for the batsman. Morkel bowls a good ball first up as he lands it on a length around off, Bancroft tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes through the slip cordon for a boundary.
Morne Morkel is into the attack.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. NO BALL! Once again he oversteps, maybe he is trying too hard. Lands it on a length, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good cricket by the batsman! He gets a boundary off the last ball and now taps this one towards covers for a quick run.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Too straight by Rabada. Bancroft is too strong through the on side. He flicks it through mid-wicket and there is no stopping that ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. This is quick stuff from Rabada! Another short ball at the body of the batsman. He tries to nudge it around but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. A bouncer which has been ducked under.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. How do you play those? WOW! On a length, first angling into the batsman and then leaves him after pitching. Bancroft goes for the drive but does not account for the away movement and gets beaten.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length on off, Khawaja defends it off the back foot.
Vernon Philander tss="commentary-row">
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Angling into the batsman on a good length around middle, Bancroft gets back and blocks it on the leg side.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! That's a good shot! Morkel doles it out on a good length outside off, Cameron drives it on the up and middles it nicely to find the gap at backward point. It races away to the fence in no time.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Extra zip and lift from the surface, on a back of a length, Bancroft goes on the back foot and defends it back.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. This time Morkel serves it on a good length outside off, holding its line, Cameron shoulders arms.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Starts the session with a well-cooked short delivery. Nicely targeted at the batsman and Bancroft eventually does well to sway away from the line.
Back for the afternoon session. The players concerned are back on the field. A crucial phase in this Test match as the visiting team find themselves on the back foot after losing two top order batsmen. South Africa are on top and they are in a huddle at the moment - a long discussion before they spread. Morne Morkel will continue his spell from this end. Bancroft to face. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...
... Day 2, Session 2 ...
Australia still trail by another 244 runs. They have their best batsman Steven Smith out there along with Cameron Bancroft and the away side will hope these two stitch a good partnership. The home side on the flip side would like to see the back of the Aussie skipper as soon as possible. Join us for the second session in a while.
The visiting team needed a good start by their openers and they got exactly that as Warner and Bancroft were milking runs. They did not start off in a convincing manner but in the fourth over Warner hit Rabada for three boundaries in a row and then the runs started to flow. Kagiso Rabada, however, came back roaring as he pegged the Australians back with the big wicket of Warner and then Morkel ensured South Africa headed into the break as the happier side by claiming Usman Khawaja at the stroke of lunch.
PHEW! What a session, a session full of action is what we got to witness! Test cricket at its best. First South Africa played the first hour, stretched their total above 300, courtesy a 50-run stand between Elgar and Rabada and then managed to hunt down two Australian wickets.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Nicely played! That stays a little low though! On a length around off, it comes back in and also stays low. Smith does really well to get his bat down in time to keep it out. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 2!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. On a length around off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. NO BALL! Oversteps again! The batsman defends it from within the crease. No ball signalled by the umpire.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. BRUTE OF A DELIVERY! A stinger for Smith! The crowd here absolutely loved it. Short on middle, it skids off the surface. Smith tries to defend it but is surprised by the bounce. He takes his eyes off the ball and it hits him on the forearm and falls beside the pitch.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Good length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. FOUR! Off the mark in some style! Top shot! Full and wide outside off, Smith leans into it and caresses it through covers and the ball races away. Immediately the Aussie skipper after hitting the shot gets back and practices how to make a leave along with admiring his shot. Michael Holding (on air) claims, that's the correct line but not the length to bowl.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes signalled by the umpire.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. A bumper to end the over! Smith evades it.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. A bouncer on middle, ducked under.
Steven Smith walks out to the middle.
Morne Morkel to Usman Khawaja. OUT! In the air... taken! Morne Morkel has taken just three deliveries to make an impact in this Test. Good start for him, he would have been anxious to take a wicket and he gets it right before the stroke of lunch. Test wicket no. 298 for him. He comes running in and bangs it short on middle, Khawaja takes on the challenge of pulling it but mistimes it. The ball goes high up in the air towards Rabada who moves across a bit to his right from fine leg to grab a fine catch. A dejected Usman walks back. He showed signs of returning to form in the last innings but does not do a lot in this one. Also, the choice of shot with lunch just around the corner is quite questionable. Australia trail by another 250 runs and they are in a spot of bother here.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around off, pushed towards cover for a quick run.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Full points to the bowler but runs for the batsman. Morkel bowls a good ball first up as he lands it on a length around off, Bancroft tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes through the slip cordon for a boundary.
Morne Morkel is into the attack.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. NO BALL! Once again he oversteps, maybe he is trying too hard. Lands it on a length, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good cricket by the batsman! He gets a boundary off the last ball and now taps this one towards covers for a quick run.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Too straight by Rabada. Bancroft is too strong through the on side. He flicks it through mid-wicket and there is no stopping that ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. This is quick stuff from Rabada! Another short ball at the body of the batsman. He tries to nudge it around but misses to get hit on the thigh pad.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. A bouncer which has been ducked under.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. How do you play those? WOW! On a length, first angling into the batsman and then leaves him after pitching. Bancroft goes for the drive but does not account for the away movement and gets beaten.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length on off, Khawaja defends it off the back foot.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Down the leg side and into the mitts of the keeper. Philander has not been at his best in this spell. A little too wayward.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Good length outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Direct hit was needed! A length ball on off, Bancroft plays it towards covers and sets off for a run. Khawaja responds and he too goes for it. Bancroft as he is running collides with the bowler. Bavuma comes running in and has a run out chance at both the ends and he goes for the striker's end. He picks the ball up, dives and underarms it. His shy though does not hit the stumps as Khawaja dives to make it in.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Hits the length on off, Bancroft defends it towards mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Follows it up with a full ball on the pads. The intentions were right but not the execution. Khawaja flicks it through wide mid on for a brace.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Excellent bouncer! A surprise delivery. Khawaja ducks under it at the very last moment.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Fuller on off, driven towards point.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. On the pads, Bancroft misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls down towards fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Walks across the stumps and flicks it through backward square leg for a couple.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Length ball outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. NOT OUT! Review lost! Poor by South Africa as the impact was always in doubt. It was also missing the off pole. Philander bowls it fuller in length on off, it moves away after pitching like it has been. Khawaja tries to defend by staying rooted in his crease. He misses and the ball hits him on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Vernon really likes it as he wants it to be reviewed. Faf du Plessis takes it, they go upstairs and replays show that the impact is umpire's call and it is missing the off pole too. The on-field call stays.
Review time! First of the game! There is an LBW appeal which has been turned down by the umpire. Khawaja is the man in question. Impact seems to be an issue.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Was there an edge? There was surely some sound. On a length around off, it shapes away after pitching. There is some noise as it passes the bat but nobody out there appeals.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Good length outside off, Khawaja lets it be.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. End of an action-packed over, 12 from it and a wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Fuller on off, driven towards mid off.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. On the pads, goes for a flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Good length outside off, left alone.
Usman Khawaja walks out at no. 3.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Rabada has the last laugh! This is excellent Test cricket. He was taken to the cleaners prior to this but comes up with an absolute beauty to get the southpaw. He comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it zips off the surface and beats Warner for pace. The ball goes through even before Warner gets his bat down and hits the top of off stump to send it cartwheeling. Rabada is pumped up and so are his teammates. No 'on the face celebration' by the pacer though. A much-needed wicket for the home side. Warner walks back after an entertaining but short stay out there. Hang on, the Australian vice-captain gets a sendoff from a fan as he makes his way back to the tunnel. Ain't looking too pleased. He turned to respond but a steward stepped in. That's unnecessary by the spectator. This series has already seen enough controversies.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! And to add to that he has overstepped! Rabada is taking a real pounding here. A full ball outside off, Warner guides it through backward point and the ball races away.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. SIX! Runs are coming thick and fast here! There were shouts of catch it but you have to be in the crowd to catch those. Short and on the body of Warner. He takes it on and pulls it high and handsomely over the fine leg fence. 3 boundaries and a maximum in the last four balls faced by the southpaw from Rabada.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Very lucky, very lucky for Bancroft! Fuller on off, Cameron goes for the booming drive but the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the off pole and down to the fine leg fence. Luck favoring Australia here.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Good delivery! On a length around off, once again moves away. Cameron tries to defend but gets beaten.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Length around off, shapes away a touch. Cameron first thinks of playing at it but then pulls his bat out of the way.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Australia are dealing in boundaries here! This time Cameron gets into the act. A full ball and width is on offer. Bancroft leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around middle, worked to mid-wicket.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. PEACH! Philander bowls it from closer to the stumps and lands it around off. It pitches and then shapes away. Bancroft tries to defend it but misses and the ball just about kisses the outside edge.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Three in a row! Through the leg side this time. Fuller on the pads, Warner flicks o Usman Khawaja. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Down the leg side and into the mitts of the keeper. Philander has not been at his best in this spell. A little too wayward.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Good length outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Direct hit was needed! A length ball on off, Bancroft plays it towards covers and sets off for a run. Khawaja responds and he too goes for it. Bancroft as he is running collides with the bowler. Bavuma comes running in and has a run out chance at both the ends and he goes for the striker's end. He picks the ball up, dives and underarms it. His shy though does not hit the stumps as Khawaja dives to make it in.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Hits the length on off, Bancroft defends it towards mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Follows it up with a full ball on the pads. The intentions were right but not the execution. Khawaja flicks it through wide mid on for a brace.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Excellent bouncer! A surprise delivery. Khawaja ducks under it at the very last moment.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Fuller on off, driven towards point.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. On the pads, Bancroft misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls down towards fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Walks across the stumps and flicks it through backward square leg for a couple.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Length ball outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. NOT OUT! Review lost! Poor by South Africa as the impact was always in doubt. It was also missing the off pole. Philander bowls it fuller in length on off, it moves away after pitching like it has been. Khawaja tries to defend by staying rooted in his crease. He misses and the ball hits him on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Vernon really likes it as he wants it to be reviewed. Faf du Plessis takes it, they go upstairs and replays show that the impact is umpire's call and it is missing the off pole too. The on-field call stays.
Review time! First of the game! There is an LBW appeal which has been turned down by the umpire. Khawaja is the man in question. Impact seems to be an issue.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Was there an edge? There was surely some sound. On a length around off, it shapes away after pitching. There is some noise as it passes the bat but nobody out there appeals.
Vernon Philander to Usman Khawaja. Good length outside off, Khawaja lets it be.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. End of an action-packed over, 12 from it and a wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Fuller on off, driven towards mid off.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. On the pads, goes for a flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Good length outside off, left alone.
Usman Khawaja walks out at no. 3.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Rabada has the last laugh! This is excellent Test cricket. He was taken to the cleaners prior to this but comes up with an absolute beauty to get the southpaw. He comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it zips off the surface and beats Warner for pace. The ball goes through even before Warner gets his bat down and hits the top of off stump to send it cartwheeling. Rabada is pumped up and so are his teammates. No 'on the face celebration' by the pacer though. A much-needed wicket for the home side. Warner walks back after an entertaining but short stay out there. Hang on, the Australian vice-captain gets a sendoff from a fan as he makes his way back to the tunnel. Ain't looking too pleased. He turned to respond but a steward stepped in. That's unnecessary by the spectator. This series has already seen enough controversies.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! And to add to that he has overstepped! Rabada is taking a real pounding here. A full ball outside off, Warner guides it through backward point and the ball races away.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. SIX! Runs are coming thick and fast here! There were shouts of catch it but you have to be in the crowd to catch those. Short and on the body of Warner. He takes it on and pulls it high and handsomely over the fine leg fence. 3 boundaries and a maximum in the last four balls faced by the southpaw from Rabada.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Very lucky, very lucky for Bancroft! Fuller on off, Cameron goes for the booming drive but the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the off pole and down to the fine leg fence. Luck favoring Australia here.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Good delivery! On a length around off, once again moves away. Cameron tries to defend but gets beaten.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Length around off, shapes away a touch. Cameron first thinks of playing at it but then pulls his bat out of the way.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Australia are dealing in boundaries here! This time Cameron gets into the act. A full ball and width is on offer. Bancroft leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around middle, worked to mid-wicket.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. PEACH! Philander bowls it from closer to the stumps and lands it around off. It pitches and then shapes away. Bancroft tries to defend it but misses and the ball just about kisses the outside edge.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Three in a row! Through the leg side this time. Fuller on the pads, Warner flicks it through wide mid on. Morkel gives it a chase but he won't be getting to it. End of an excellent over for Australia. 14 from it.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Once again a little too full and Rabada pays the price. Warner times it beautifully through covers for another boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Don't bother chasing that, it is right off the middle of Warner's bat. Full and wide outside off, Warner hits it through covers and the ball races away.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Length ball on off, Bancroft tries to drive but gets an inside edge through backward square leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Once again an inside edge as Warner tries to drive it through the off side. It goes down to fine leg for a run.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length on off, Cameron keeps it out solidly.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Bancroft on the other hand has looked solid until now. On a length around middle, blocked out.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Warner has not been convincing until now! Once again he gets a full ball and he goes hard at it. The ball takes the inside edge and goes down to fine leg for a run.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Nasty, nasty delivery! Shorter in length on middle, it takes off the surface. Warner is surprised by the lift but does really well to take one hand off the handle and defend it onto the ground.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Once again through the gap between backward point and gully! On a length around off, this time David guides it for a brace.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Attacks the off stump and lands it on a length. Bancroft is solid in defense.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Down the leg side, Warner misses the flick. The ball brushes the pads and goes down towards fine and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Off the mark with a boundary. Not where Warner wanted the ball to go but he will take it. Fuller on off by Rabada. Warner tries to force it through the off side but gets an outside edge through gully.
Warner is in some discomfort here after the last ball. The physio is out and he is having a look at his left forearm. The magic spray will surely be used. He is now getting it taped up. There seems to be a little swelling in that area, that should be stinging at the moment.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Well bowled! On a length around middle, it shapes back in after pitching. Warner tries to defend but it hits his forearm and then goes onto hit his body. He immediately pulls out in some pain.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. On middle, worked to mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada will share the new cherry with Philander from the other end.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Once again gets a little too straight. Bancroft works it towards mid-wicket. A tight over by Philander but not a threatening one.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. This is the line he constantly bowls. On off and on a length. Cameron keeps it out.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Philander has not got it right here. Down the leg side, Cameron misses the flick and the ball goes to the keeper.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Excellent delivery! In the corridor of uncertainty. Bancroft tries to defend it but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce towards gully who makes a good diving stop to his left.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Australia are underway! They have cut two from the deficit. Another ball on the pads, Cameron works it around the corner for a brace.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Starts off with a length ball around middle, he tries to shape it away from there but there is no swing on offer. Bancroft works it to mid-wicket.
An outing to forget for Australia. Marred by controversies, they still performed fairly decent. Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon bagged three wickets apiece while Mitchell Starc once again was a disappointment. They will have plenty going through their minds and it's not going to be easy to concentrate and do the job. Expect a hostile reception for the Australian openers. Do join us on the other side.
It's a brave batting performance by South Africa. Almost every batsman contributed to the cause and built on the 56-run lead that they gained in the first innings. Aiden Markram, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock notched up their fifties and constructed handy partnerships as well while Vernon Philander too cased in on the opportunity to score his third Test half-century against Australia.
Right then, Australia need 'only 430 runs' to win and take a lead in the series. Jokes apart, they have a mountain to climb and will need a massive effort to do so. Nothing has gone their way since yesterday and they find themselves pushed deep into a corner.
Josh Hazlewood to Morne Morkel. OUT! Hazlewood ends the innings. He bangs it in short and it is a well-directed one, aimed at the helmet of the batsman. Morkel tries to fend at it but the ball hits the top of the bat and balloons towards Usman Khawaja at gully who won't get a simpler catch than this. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 373!
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Short and on middle, pulled towards square leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Fired on middle, clipped towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Flatter on middle, flicked through square leg for no runs.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Nathanit through wide mid on. Morkel gives it a chase but he won't be getting to it. End of an excellent over for Australia. 14 from it.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Once again a little too full and Rabada pays the price. Warner times it beautifully through covers for another boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Don't bother chasing that, it is right off the middle of Warner's bat. Full and wide outside off, Warner hits it through covers and the ball races away.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Length ball on off, Bancroft tries to drive but gets an inside edge through backward square leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Once again an inside edge as Warner tries to drive it through the off side. It goes down to fine leg for a run.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length on off, Cameron keeps it out solidly.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Bancroft on the other hand has looked solid until now. On a length around middle, blocked out.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Warner has not been convincing until now! Once again he gets a full ball and he goes hard at it. The ball takes the inside edge and goes down to fine leg for a run.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Nasty, nasty delivery! Shorter in length on middle, it takes off the surface. Warner is surprised by the lift but does really well to take one hand off the handle and defend it onto the ground.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Once again through the gap between backward point and gully! On a length around off, this time David guides it for a brace.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Attacks the off stump and lands it on a length. Bancroft is solid in defense.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Down the leg side, Warner misses the flick. The ball brushes the pads and goes down towards fine and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Off the mark with a boundary. Not where Warner wanted the ball to go but he will take it. Fuller on off by Rabada. Warner tries to force it through the off side but gets an outside edge through gully.
Warner is in some discomfort here after the last ball. The physio is out and he is having a look at his left forearm. The magic spray will surely be used. He is now getting it taped up. There seems to be a little swelling in that area, that should be stinging at the moment.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Well bowled! On a length around middle, it shapes back in after pitching. Warner tries to defend but it hits his forearm and then goes onto hit his body. He immediately pulls out in some pain.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. On middle, worked to mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada will share the new cherry with Philander from the other end.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Once again gets a little too straight. Bancroft works it towards mid-wicket. A tight over by Philander but not a threatening one.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. This is the line he constantly bowls. On off and on a length. Cameron keeps it out.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Philander has not got it right here. Down the leg side, Cameron misses the flick and the ball goes to the keeper.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Excellent delivery! In the corridor of uncertainty. Bancroft tries to defend it but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce towards gully who makes a good diving stop to his left.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Australia are underway! They have cut two from the deficit. Another ball on the pads, Cameron works it around the corner for a brace.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Starts off with a length ball around middle, he tries to shape it away from there but there is no swing on offer. Bancroft works it to mid-wicket.
An outing to forget for Australia. Marred by controversies, they still performed fairly decent. Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon bagged three wickets apiece while Mitchell Starc once again was a disappointment. They will have plenty going through their minds and it's not going to be easy to concentrate and do the job. Expect a hostile reception for the Australian openers. Do join us on the other side.
It's a brave batting performance by South Africa. Almost every batsman contributed to the cause and built on the 56-run lead that they gained in the first innings. Aiden Markram, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock notched up their fifties and constructed handy partnerships as well while Vernon Philander too cased in on the opportunity to score his third Test half-century against Australia.
Right then, Australia need 'only 430 runs' to win and take a lead in the series. Jokes apart, they have a mountain to climb and will need a massive effort to do so. Nothing has gone their way since yesterday and they find themselves pushed deep into a corner.
Josh Hazlewood to Morne Morkel. OUT! Hazlewood ends the innings. He bangs it in short and it is a well-directed one, aimed at the helmet of the batsman. Morkel tries to fend at it but the ball hits the top of the bat and balloons towards Usman Khawaja at gully who won't get a simpler catch than this. SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 373!
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Short and on middle, pulled towards square leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Fired on middle, clipped towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Flatter on middle, flicked through square leg for no runs.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Flatter on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. SIX! All the way! What a shot by the big man! Lyon floats it up on middle, it is right in Morkel's zone. He sends it sailing over the long on fence for a biggie.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Floated up on middle, driven back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. FOUR! Boundary it is and he brings up his 8th fifty in Tests. Short and wide outside off, Philander cuts it through point and the ball races away. He raises his bat to acknowledge the applause from the crowd, looks at the dressing room whether they are calling them back but no, no declaration yet.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Angles it on the pads, worked towards square leg and does not take a run. The last ball coming up, will he look for a boundary or a single?
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Edged but short! Another short ball outside off, this also stays low. Philander tries to cut but the ball takes the under edge and goes low towards Paine who dives ahead but the ball does not carry.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. On a length outside off, Philander shoulders his arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Short and outside off, stays a touch low. Philander goes for the cut but is beaten by the low bounce.
Morne Morkel is the last man in.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. OUT! Maharaj holes out! Lyon tosses it up outside off, Maharaj could not resist as he comes down the track and tries to go big. He only manages to hit it high, very high up in the air. It went so high that it had snow on it as it came down towards long on. Cummins there runs in a little, settles himself under it and takes a good catch. Skiers such as those are never easy. South Africa are nine down and Lyon gets his third. Also replays later on showed, Philander showed excellent presence of mind as at first he had crossed Maharaj but then seeing that the ball is going towards the fielder, he asks Maharaj to run back to the striker's end so that he can keep strike. Vern does not want to miss out on that fifty.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. Floats it up on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. That has turned, bounced viciously. Lyon tosses it up outside off, it comes back in and also bounces. Philander tries to keep it out by taking a hand off the handle. It hits his gloves and goes towards square leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Comes down the track but a little early. Lyon sees that and bowls it short on off, Philander adjusts and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flatter on off, Philander blocks it.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tosses it up on off, driven towards covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. On a length middle, jagging back in. Philander tries to defend but it goes off the inner half towards deep square leg for a run. He moves onto 46.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. A run off the 13th ball but it is just a single. On a length around off, Maharaj guides it towards deep point for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. 12 dot balls in a row! So the South African batsmen are not looking to score quickly. Josh bangs it short, Maharaj ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Fuller on off, the batsman drives it to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Good length outside off, it straightens after pitching. Maharaj goes after it but does not connect.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. On a length on off, Maharaj is solid in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Turn and bounce! Good signs for South Africa but bad for their opposition. Quicker and outside off, it bounces extra and also turns back in. Philander does well to defend it off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Gives it air on off, it turns back in sharply. Philander tries to defend it off the front foot but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flatter on off, worked towards short leg with the turn.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Loopy ball on off, turning back in. Vernon lunges forward in defense and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tosses it up on off, Philander drives it back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Angling into the batsman, around off, Maharaj defends it from the crease to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Oohhh...that missed the outside edge by a whisker. Lovely delivery, landing on a full length around off, Maharaj plays for the angle but it holds its line and beats the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard. A length ball around off, Maharaj stays on the leg side of the delivery and packs a punch. Makes fine connection and it speeds through backward point for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Back of a length delivery outside off, Maharaj feels for it inside the line and is beaten.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Fuller in length and on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a run.
Josh Hazlewood is b Lyon to Morne Morkel. Flatter on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. SIX! All the way! What a shot by the big man! Lyon floats it up on middle, it is right in Morkel's zone. He sends it sailing over the long on fence for a biggie.
Nathan Lyon to Morne Morkel. Floated up on middle, driven back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. FOUR! Boundary it is and he brings up his 8th fifty in Tests. Short and wide outside off, Philander cuts it through point and the ball races away. He raises his bat to acknowledge the applause from the crowd, looks at the dressing room whether they are calling them back but no, no declaration yet.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Angles it on the pads, worked towards square leg and does not take a run. The last ball coming up, will he look for a boundary or a single?
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Edged but short! Another short ball outside off, this also stays low. Philander tries to cut but the ball takes the under edge and goes low towards Paine who dives ahead but the ball does not carry.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. On a length outside off, Philander shoulders his arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Short and outside off, stays a touch low. Philander goes for the cut but is beaten by the low bounce.
Morne Morkel is the last man in.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. OUT! Maharaj holes out! Lyon tosses it up outside off, Maharaj could not resist as he comes down the track and tries to go big. He only manages to hit it high, very high up in the air. It went so high that it had snow on it as it came down towards long on. Cummins there runs in a little, settles himself under it and takes a good catch. Skiers such as those are never easy. South Africa are nine down and Lyon gets his third. Also replays later on showed, Philander showed excellent presence of mind as at first he had crossed Maharaj but then seeing that the ball is going towards the fielder, he asks Maharaj to run back to the striker's end so that he can keep strike. Vern does not want to miss out on that fifty.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. Floats it up on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. That has turned, bounced viciously. Lyon tosses it up outside off, it comes back in and also bounces. Philander tries to keep it out by taking a hand off the handle. It hits his gloves and goes towards square leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Comes down the track but a little early. Lyon sees that and bowls it short on off, Philander adjusts and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flatter on off, Philander blocks it.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tosses it up on off, driven towards covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. On a length middle, jagging back in. Philander tries to defend but it goes off the inner half towards deep square leg for a run. He moves onto 46.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. A run off the 13th ball but it is just a single. On a length around off, Maharaj guides it towards deep point for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. 12 dot balls in a row! So the South African batsmen are not looking to score quickly. Josh bangs it short, Maharaj ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Fuller on off, the batsman drives it to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Good length outside off, it straightens after pitching. Maharaj goes after it but does not connect.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. On a length on off, Maharaj is solid in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Turn and bounce! Good signs for South Africa but bad for their opposition. Quicker and outside off, it bounces extra and also turns back in. Philander does well to defend it off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Gives it air on off, it turns back in sharply. Philander tries to defend it off the front foot but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flatter on off, worked towards short leg with the turn.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Loopy ball on off, turning back in. Vernon lunges forward in defense and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tosses it up on off, Philander drives it back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Angling into the batsman, around off, Maharaj defends it from the crease to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Oohhh...that missed the outside edge by a whisker. Lovely delivery, landing on a full length around off, Maharaj plays for the angle but it holds its line and beats the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard. A length ball around off, Maharaj stays on the leg side of the delivery and packs a punch. Makes fine connection and it speeds through backward point for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Back of a length delivery outside off, Maharaj feels for it inside the line and is beaten.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Fuller in length and on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a run.
Josh Hazlewood is back on.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. Loopy and full on off, Maharaj defends it by leaning forward.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. Full and on off, flicked on the leg side but straight towards short mid-wicket.
Keshav Maharaj is in next. No signs of declaration.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. OUT! Wicket number 300 for Nathan Lyon in Tests! Fine achievement for the off spinner. Lets out a nicely tossed up delivery around off, tempting the batsman with his flight, Rabada spots it, gets lured and comes rushing down the track for a big shot. He swings his bat but the ball spins away to beat his willow. Paine does the rest and it breaks yet another frustrating stand for the Aussies. Lead - 410.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flighted and on off, Rabada leans forward and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tossed up ball on middle, Philander gets back and nudges it to fine leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Bowls it outside off, it's left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! Another one. A sharp delivery, sliding down the leg side, Rabada nudges it off his hips and it races through to the fence beating the dive from Pat Cummins at fine leg.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! Rabada is on a march! A shot to be proud of! Short in length on middle, KG rides the bounce and dispatches it with a full-blooded pull shot. Some West Indian flavour in that shot!
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Angles in a full ball, too straight in line and Philander clips it through mid-wicket for one.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Spears in a fuller length delivery on middle, Rabada flicks it with a lot of style through mid-wicket for a single. Lead is now 400 and it's met with a big cheer from the crowd!
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! That's a cracking shot! Fractionally short in length and around off, Rabada camps back and whacks it past the diving backward point fielder for a boundary.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Driven through mid off by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Loopy and outside off, Rabada quietly plays it off the outside edge through point and collects a couple of runs.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flatter on middle, pushed down towards mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Quicker ball, darts it on leg, Rabada fails to keep it out and is hit on the pads.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. A nicely tossed up off spinner on off, Philander knocks it down to long on for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. On a length and outside off, Rabada shoulders arms to end the over.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. A mishit! Back of a length ball outside off, Rabada remains on the back foot and tries to pull it across the line. But it takes bottom half of his blade and rolls to extra cover.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Goes full on this occasion, a hint of swing in the air but nothing much after meeting the deck, around off and Rabada leaves it alone.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Lands it on a length and around off, Rabada this time rocks back and punches it to the cover fielder.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Once again hurls in a length ball in the zone outside off, Kagiso lets it be.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Good length delivery well wide outside off, Rabada shoulders arms.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Fires it in on middle, 96 kph, Philander defends it of his pads to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Short in length outside off, Philander cuts it square of the wicket on the off side, finds the gap and collects a couple.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Quicker on middle, defended from the crease to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Gets forward and across to defend it but it spins back into the batsman, beats his bat and strikes him high on the back leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. This one turns back into the batsman from outside off, Vernon defends it from the crease to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Nathan Lyon continues from this end and bowls a flatter off spinner outside off, Philander defends it off his back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. This one is wide outside off, it's left alone by Kagiso.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Good length and around middle, Rabada gets behind the line and blocks.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Back of a length delivery outside off, Rabada tries to punch but misses.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Sack on.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. Loopy and full on off, Maharaj defends it by leaning forward.
Nathan Lyon to Keshav Maharaj. Full and on off, flicked on the leg side but straight towards short mid-wicket.
Keshav Maharaj is in next. No signs of declaration.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. OUT! Wicket number 300 for Nathan Lyon in Tests! Fine achievement for the off spinner. Lets out a nicely tossed up delivery around off, tempting the batsman with his flight, Rabada spots it, gets lured and comes rushing down the track for a big shot. He swings his bat but the ball spins away to beat his willow. Paine does the rest and it breaks yet another frustrating stand for the Aussies. Lead - 410.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flighted and on off, Rabada leans forward and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tossed up ball on middle, Philander gets back and nudges it to fine leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Bowls it outside off, it's left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! Another one. A sharp delivery, sliding down the leg side, Rabada nudges it off his hips and it races through to the fence beating the dive from Pat Cummins at fine leg.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! Rabada is on a march! A shot to be proud of! Short in length on middle, KG rides the bounce and dispatches it with a full-blooded pull shot. Some West Indian flavour in that shot!
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Angles in a full ball, too straight in line and Philander clips it through mid-wicket for one.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Spears in a fuller length delivery on middle, Rabada flicks it with a lot of style through mid-wicket for a single. Lead is now 400 and it's met with a big cheer from the crowd!
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! That's a cracking shot! Fractionally short in length and around off, Rabada camps back and whacks it past the diving backward point fielder for a boundary.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Driven through mid off by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Loopy and outside off, Rabada quietly plays it off the outside edge through point and collects a couple of runs.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flatter on middle, pushed down towards mid on.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Quicker ball, darts it on leg, Rabada fails to keep it out and is hit on the pads.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. A nicely tossed up off spinner on off, Philander knocks it down to long on for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. On a length and outside off, Rabada shoulders arms to end the over.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. A mishit! Back of a length ball outside off, Rabada remains on the back foot and tries to pull it across the line. But it takes bottom half of his blade and rolls to extra cover.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Goes full on this occasion, a hint of swing in the air but nothing much after meeting the deck, around off and Rabada leaves it alone.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Lands it on a length and around off, Rabada this time rocks back and punches it to the cover fielder.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Once again hurls in a length ball in the zone outside off, Kagiso lets it be.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Good length delivery well wide outside off, Rabada shoulders arms.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Fires it in on middle, 96 kph, Philander defends it of his pads to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Short in length outside off, Philander cuts it square of the wicket on the off side, finds the gap and collects a couple.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Quicker on middle, defended from the crease to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Gets forward and across to defend it but it spins back into the batsman, beats his bat and strikes him high on the back leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. This one turns back into the batsman from outside off, Vernon defends it from the crease to short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Nathan Lyon continues from this end and bowls a flatter off spinner outside off, Philander defends it off his back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. This one is wide outside off, it's left alone by Kagiso.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Good length and around middle, Rabada gets behind the line and blocks.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Back of a length delivery outside off, Rabada tries to punch but misses.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Shorter in length outside off, Rabada hangs his bat out and gets beaten.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Back of a length on off, defended towards mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Starts off with a loosener. Short and wide outside off, Rabada goes after it but does not connect.
Out come the players and the umpires for the afternoon session. They are followed by the pair of Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada. They maybe will now swing their blades in the hunt for some quick runs. For Australia, Mitchell Starc to bowl the first over after the break. Here we go...
... Day 4, Session 2 ...
95/2 in the session and South Africa have stretched their lead to 389 runs. The Australians were quite subdued this morning, lacking intensity and energy, but still cannot be faulted for their effort. Dismissing AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock in a session is always a good performance, especially when both looked set for nothing less than a century, although in the context of this Test match, it doesn't count for much. Everyone is waiting for the declaration and let's see when it comes in the next session. Do join us in a short while to keep yourself updated with each and every event from this game.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tossed up ball landing outside off and spinning back in, Philander defends it from the back foot. Lunch on Day 4!
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Loopy on off, defended off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Fuller and outside off, driven down the ground to mid off, the fielder is a bit too deep and they run a single.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Quicker delivery, full and on middle at 91 kph, Rabada does well to keep it out towards short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. A bit short and on off, Rabada goes on his back foot and taps it down to first slip.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flighted off spinner on off, Rabada gets forward to defend it with firm hands and does so with the outer half of his bat.
This will be the last over before lunch...
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Inside edge. Full and moving back into the batsman, Philander pushes it down from the inner half of the bat to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Angling into the batsman, once again Vernon has the line covered as he confidently pushes it towards mid off.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Covers the line this time and offers a straight bat in defense.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. There is certainly some life in the pitch for the seam bowlers. Last delivery moved away, this one holds its line but with some extra bounce. Philander once again is completely at sea as he ends up pushing and missing inside the line.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Edged and just short! Fine delivery, Cummins gets it to angle into the batsman on a good length, Philander without any footwork pushes at it and edges it behind due to the away movement. It falls just in front of Shaun Marsh at first slip. Nearly gets his second 4-fer in the match, Pat!
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Full in length and around off, Philander nicely gets on the front foot and defends it back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Play and a miss! Lyon tosses this one up and lands it full outside off, luring the batsman, Rabada goes for a booming cover drive but is beaten by the away spin.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Once again Lyon pulls his length back and serves it around off, Rabada moves inside the crease and defends it back.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Goes even quicker and lands it on middle and off, Rabada is on the back foot this time in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Fires in a full ball on middle and leg, once again it's defended off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Full and floated on off, Rabada defends it very compactly.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. That's uppish but safe! Flatter and shorter outside off, Rabada hangs on the back foot and whacks it through the line. Fails to middle and it goes aerially but wide of Warner at backward point. A couple of runs taken.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Bat on ball on this occasion. A little short outside off, Rabada strokes it through cover-point for a run.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. And again. Once more Rabada tries his best to force a shortish ball through the line but this time he gets beaten due to the extra bounce.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Swing and a miss! Shortish in length and angling away from the batsman, Rabada tries to play the back foot punch but fails to make any connection.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Short and wide outside off, Philander goes on his toes and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side for a single.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Angles in a good length ball on off, extra bounce, Philander defends it with a loose bottom hand towards covers. Showing good technique.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Lands it on a length and around off, Philander stays on the back foot and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Pushes a full ball quicker through the air, on middle, Rabada plays it off his pads to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Lyon slows this one up in the air and serves it full around off, KG once again draws forward and defends it from the outer region of his bat.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Loopy and full around off, Rabada leans forward and defends it near his front pad.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flatter and around off, defended from the back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Back of a length on off, defended towards mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. Starts off with a loosener. Short and wide outside off, Rabada goes after it but does not connect.
Out come the players and the umpires for the afternoon session. They are followed by the pair of Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada. They maybe will now swing their blades in the hunt for some quick runs. For Australia, Mitchell Starc to bowl the first over after the break. Here we go...
... Day 4, Session 2 ...
95/2 in the session and South Africa have stretched their lead to 389 runs. The Australians were quite subdued this morning, lacking intensity and energy, but still cannot be faulted for their effort. Dismissing AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock in a session is always a good performance, especially when both looked set for nothing less than a century, although in the context of this Test match, it doesn't count for much. Everyone is waiting for the declaration and let's see when it comes in the next session. Do join us in a short while to keep yourself updated with each and every event from this game.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tossed up ball landing outside off and spinning back in, Philander defends it from the back foot. Lunch on Day 4!
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Loopy on off, defended off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Fuller and outside off, driven down the ground to mid off, the fielder is a bit too deep and they run a single.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Quicker delivery, full and on middle at 91 kph, Rabada does well to keep it out towards short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. A bit short and on off, Rabada goes on his back foot and taps it down to first slip.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flighted off spinner on off, Rabada gets forward to defend it with firm hands and does so with the outer half of his bat.
This will be the last over before lunch...
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Inside edge. Full and moving back into the batsman, Philander pushes it down from the inner half of the bat to mid on.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Angling into the batsman, once again Vernon has the line covered as he confidently pushes it towards mid off.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Covers the line this time and offers a straight bat in defense.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. There is certainly some life in the pitch for the seam bowlers. Last delivery moved away, this one holds its line but with some extra bounce. Philander once again is completely at sea as he ends up pushing and missing inside the line.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Edged and just short! Fine delivery, Cummins gets it to angle into the batsman on a good length, Philander without any footwork pushes at it and edges it behind due to the away movement. It falls just in front of Shaun Marsh at first slip. Nearly gets his second 4-fer in the match, Pat!
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Full in length and around off, Philander nicely gets on the front foot and defends it back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Play and a miss! Lyon tosses this one up and lands it full outside off, luring the batsman, Rabada goes for a booming cover drive but is beaten by the away spin.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Once again Lyon pulls his length back and serves it around off, Rabada moves inside the crease and defends it back.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Goes even quicker and lands it on middle and off, Rabada is on the back foot this time in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Fires in a full ball on middle and leg, once again it's defended off the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Full and floated on off, Rabada defends it very compactly.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. That's uppish but safe! Flatter and shorter outside off, Rabada hangs on the back foot and whacks it through the line. Fails to middle and it goes aerially but wide of Warner at backward point. A couple of runs taken.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Bat on ball on this occasion. A little short outside off, Rabada strokes it through cover-point for a run.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. And again. Once more Rabada tries his best to force a shortish ball through the line but this time he gets beaten due to the extra bounce.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Swing and a miss! Shortish in length and angling away from the batsman, Rabada tries to play the back foot punch but fails to make any connection.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Short and wide outside off, Philander goes on his toes and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side for a single.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Angles in a good length ball on off, extra bounce, Philander defends it with a loose bottom hand towards covers. Showing good technique.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Lands it on a length and around off, Philander stays on the back foot and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Pushes a full ball quicker through the air, on middle, Rabada plays it off his pads to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Lyon slows this one up in the air and serves it full around off, KG once again draws forward and defends it from the outer region of his bat.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Loopy and full around off, Rabada leans forward and defends it near his front pad.
Nathan Lyon to Kagiso Rabada. Flatter and around off, defended from the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Catch it is the yell from the bowler but nothing doing. This one turns back in sharply from outside off, Philander stays back footed to work it around but gets an inside edge. It goes wide of short leg towards fine leg and they cross.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flighted off spinner outside off, Philander reaches out for it and against the turn drives it through covers for a couple of runs.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Another play and a miss! A back of a length ball around off, angling away with extra lift, Rabada pokes inside the line and misses.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Play and a miss! Tempts the batsman by bowling it short and wide outside off, Rabada flashes and misses.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Wide called for height as the attempted bouncer by Pat goes well over the head of the batsman.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Another watchful defensive shot offered by KG.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Full around off, defended by Kagiso.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Rabada has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Kagiso Rabada is the new batsman.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Another batsman misses out on a well-deserved century. Cummins hunts down de Kock for the second time in this Test match. This is his third scalp in the innings and seventh overall. He speeds in from 'round the wicket and angles in a full ball around off. It shapes away just a bit as de Kock steps forward to power it down the ground. But due the aforementioned movement, he gets a thick outside edge and Paine behind the stumps makes no mistake, his first catch as the Australian skipper. A fine knock by QdK and South Africa lead by 380 runs.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Continues firing it in. Around off this time, Philander defends it back from the crease.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flatter and shorter on middle, de Kock shifts his weight on the back foot and punches it through square leg for another run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Another delivery spinning back into the batsman, since the length is on the shorter side, Philander goes back to work it in front of square leg. A single taken.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Plays watchfully with the turn towards the mid-wicket fielder.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Extra spin and bounce, Philander tries to drive but it catches the inner half of the bat and goes uppishly but wide of short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flighted off spinner on off, Philander flicks it to short leg.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Angling into the batsman, on a fuller length, de Kock takes his front leg forward and across before pushing it down the ground towards mid on.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. The follow-up delivery is a fuller one, around off, de Kock gets forward and drives it past the right side of the mid off fielder. Two more runs added to the total.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Cummins switches to 'round the wicket and bangs in a short ball. A bit of a tennis-ball bounce there as de Kock allows it through. It's called a wide for height.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. A hint of movement back into the batsman from a good length, Philander works it from the inside half of the bat to mid-wicket. They take a run and the crowd cheers, reason being that this pair has also raised a 50-run stand.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. This one is on a good length and wide outside off, Philander has nothing to do with it.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Serves it ahead of a length this time, around off, Philander defends it by getting forward.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Short in length on off, defended from the crease by Philander.
Pat Cummins is back on.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Use of the feet by Quinton this time as he runs down to the pitch of the ball. Though only manages to push it as far as the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flighted and on middle, swept well by de Kock but he found the short leg fielder.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Allows the ball to spin back into him, stays on the back foot and hits it past short leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Spin and bounce back into the batsman, Philander moves back to defend but misses and takes a blow on his thigh pad.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tossed up ball outside off, spinning in, Philander gets forward and defends.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flighted full ball on off, de Kock advances down the track and pushes it back past the bowler and mid on. It's fielded in the deep and they take 'only' a single.
Nathan Lyon returns.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. FOUR! A bad delivery spoils a good over. Hazlewood offers width outside off and most of the lower order batsmen just wait for the chance to swing their arms. Does so and flashes it down to third man for a boundary. Not from the meat of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Fine effort, Bancroft! A back foot punch by Philander towards backward point. Cameron stationed there dives to his left to stop the ball. Saves four runs.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Good length delivery in the zone outside off, Philander lets it through to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Time and again the ball has stopped onto the batsman. This is one such delivery around middle, Philander is early into the shot, probably was trying to flick. It pops ou 1
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Catch it is the yell from the bowler but nothing doing. This one turns back in sharply from outside off, Philander stays back footed to work it around but gets an inside edge. It goes wide of short leg towards fine leg and they cross.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flighted off spinner outside off, Philander reaches out for it and against the turn drives it through covers for a couple of runs.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Another play and a miss! A back of a length ball around off, angling away with extra lift, Rabada pokes inside the line and misses.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Play and a miss! Tempts the batsman by bowling it short and wide outside off, Rabada flashes and misses.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Wide called for height as the attempted bouncer by Pat goes well over the head of the batsman.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Another watchful defensive shot offered by KG.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Full around off, defended by Kagiso.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. Rabada has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Kagiso Rabada is the new batsman.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Another batsman misses out on a well-deserved century. Cummins hunts down de Kock for the second time in this Test match. This is his third scalp in the innings and seventh overall. He speeds in from 'round the wicket and angles in a full ball around off. It shapes away just a bit as de Kock steps forward to power it down the ground. But due the aforementioned movement, he gets a thick outside edge and Paine behind the stumps makes no mistake, his first catch as the Australian skipper. A fine knock by QdK and South Africa lead by 380 runs.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Continues firing it in. Around off this time, Philander defends it back from the crease.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flatter and shorter on middle, de Kock shifts his weight on the back foot and punches it through square leg for another run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Another delivery spinning back into the batsman, since the length is on the shorter side, Philander goes back to work it in front of square leg. A single taken.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Plays watchfully with the turn towards the mid-wicket fielder.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Extra spin and bounce, Philander tries to drive but it catches the inner half of the bat and goes uppishly but wide of short leg.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Flighted off spinner on off, Philander flicks it to short leg.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Angling into the batsman, on a fuller length, de Kock takes his front leg forward and across before pushing it down the ground towards mid on.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. The follow-up delivery is a fuller one, around off, de Kock gets forward and drives it past the right side of the mid off fielder. Two more runs added to the total.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Cummins switches to 'round the wicket and bangs in a short ball. A bit of a tennis-ball bounce there as de Kock allows it through. It's called a wide for height.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. A hint of movement back into the batsman from a good length, Philander works it from the inside half of the bat to mid-wicket. They take a run and the crowd cheers, reason being that this pair has also raised a 50-run stand.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. This one is on a good length and wide outside off, Philander has nothing to do with it.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Serves it ahead of a length this time, around off, Philander defends it by getting forward.
Pat Cummins to Vernon Philander. Short in length on off, defended from the crease by Philander.
Pat Cummins is back on.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Use of the feet by Quinton this time as he runs down to the pitch of the ball. Though only manages to push it as far as the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flighted and on middle, swept well by de Kock but he found the short leg fielder.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Allows the ball to spin back into him, stays on the back foot and hits it past short leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Spin and bounce back into the batsman, Philander moves back to defend but misses and takes a blow on his thigh pad.
Nathan Lyon to Vernon Philander. Tossed up ball outside off, spinning in, Philander gets forward and defends.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flighted full ball on off, de Kock advances down the track and pushes it back past the bowler and mid on. It's fielded in the deep and they take 'only' a single.
Nathan Lyon returns.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. FOUR! A bad delivery spoils a good over. Hazlewood offers width outside off and most of the lower order batsmen just wait for the chance to swing their arms. Does so and flashes it down to third man for a boundary. Not from the meat of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Fine effort, Bancroft! A back foot punch by Philander towards backward point. Cameron stationed there dives to his left to stop the ball. Saves four runs.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Good length delivery in the zone outside off, Philander lets it through to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Time and again the ball has stopped onto the batsman. This is one such delivery around middle, Philander is early into the shot, probably was trying to flick. It pops out towards the bowler but doesn't carry.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Hazlewood gets closer to the off stump line this time, angling in, this time Philander has to play at it and does so by pushing it to covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. A gentle delivery, on a length and close to the off stump line, it moves back in a tad but not enough to pose any danger. Philander covers the line and shoulders arms. Wasn't too far from the off stump.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Clocks 143 kph this time and angles a length ball on middle and leg. Philander is beaten for pace and is hit on the pads. It rolls to square leg and they steal a leg bye. 13 from the over, lead is now 368!
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Slips in a full ball this time, tries to be clever, but Philander is not falling for it. Anticipates it and flicks it towards mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. This is what he wanted to do on the previous delivery. A well-directed short ball, Philander bends his knees and allows it go.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries. Maybe, the plan was to go short but the line is way wide outside off. Philander spots the chance to free his arms and spanks it through point for a boundary.
Tim Paine has a word with his bowler. It doesn't lead to any field change though.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. FOUR! Continues to impress. Starc overdoes his line this time, the length though remains the same. around middle and Philander whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. FOUR! Wow, a glorious cover drive by Vernon Philander. It's slightly overpitched on off, VP puts it away in style for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. We continue to see the pitch misbehave. Another one shooting up from a length around off, de Kock tries playing it from the crease but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Goes full this time, in the hope to get some movement, but it's a shade too full and too close to the off stump line to allow the ball to do its bit. de Kock is forward as he jams it down.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Angling in a length ball on off, de Kock once again keeps his weight on the back leg and defends it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Width on offer outside off, de Kock stays back to play it with a horizontal bat. Tries to find the gap between gully and backward point but the latter has it covered.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. This time it's on a good length outside off, Quinton covers his stumps and allows it through to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Hazlewood rushes from around the wicket and bangs in a short ball around off. A little bit of extra bounce again as de Kock keeps it out on the leg side with some discomfort.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. Short and outside off, guided down to third man for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. On middle, flicked to deep square leg for a run. The partnership between the two is 29 from 29. Just what South Africa need, a partnership at a good pace.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Wide outside off, Vernon shoulders arms to it.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Another ball outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. A good laave there! Starc comes around the wicket and angles it in around off. The ball keeps coming in with the angle but not enough as Philander makes a leave.
Drinks break! South Africa continue to pile on the runs. They lost AB de Villiers but Quinton de Kock has kept the momentum going. Vernon Philander is also looking positive. The lead has crossed the 350-run mark. Australia remain on the back foot, the energy shown by them this morning has been quite low as well. Four wickets left to be taken and if they manage to do so before the Proteas go past 400, they still will give themselves an outside chance. Let's see how the next hour goes.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Tries defending from the crease but gets an outside edge. It dies down in front of the gully fielder.
Josh Hazlewood to Vernon Philander. Down the leg side, flicked to fine leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, tucked away on the leg side for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Another ball on a length, de Kock is solid in defense.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Length again on off, de Kock tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. On a length around off, kept out.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. NO BALL! Starc oversteps as he bangs it short. Vernon lets it be.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Down the leg side, all Philander has to do is get bat to it. He does exactly that as he flicks it fine through the leg side for a boundary. 12 from the last three balls.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Sloppy in the field by Lyon! A short ball outside off, it is guided towards point. Lyon there misfields and concedes two.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. SIX! In the air... the fielder is settling himself under it but parries the ball over the rope! A short ball outside off, Starc once again gets it to bounce a touch more. Philander takes on the challenge of pulling it but the ball takes the top edge. It goes towards Josh Hazlewood at fine leg who tries catching it but drops it and it goes over the ropes. Replays later on show that he had already touched the ropes and even if he had taken it, it would have been a maximum.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. Not good bowling by Starc, he has not been at his best in this game. Bowls it on the pads, de Kock flicks it through square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Fuller on off, Philander taps it towards covers for a quick run.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. BEATEN! A beauty to end the over! On a length outside off, it straightens a touch. De Kock tries to defend but gets beaten.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! This guy is on an another level today. He has 8 boundaries this morning and a maximum to go along with it. Full and outside off, on a driving length. De Kock does exactly that as he drives it through covers for another boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. An attempted bouncer which was well over head height. Nothing from the square leg umpire though.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Wide outside off, de Kock shoulders arms to it.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. On a length around off, kept out.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. Good length outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. Extra bounce! We have seen this happen quite a few times in this series. A short ball outside off, de Kock thinks about cutting it but is taken by surprise by the lift the ball gets after pitching. He does well to pull out of the shot as the ball goes into the mitts of the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Vernon Philander. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. On the pads, the batsman works it around the corner for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Gets to his 13th fifty in Tests in style. It is also his second in the series and it has been a very watchful knock by him. He came into bat when South Africa lost a couple of wickets in quick succession but has done really well in constructing this innings. He has blocked the good balls and put away the bad balls. Full and on the pads, de Kock flicks it through wide mid on and the ball races away.
Vernon Philander is the next man in.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. OUT! Edged and taken! The new ball has done the trick and Josh Hazlewood strikes. He takes his 150th Test wicket and it is the big one of AB de Villiers. He surely won't forget this anytime soon. It is an excellent delivery to get rid of the set AB. Josh lands it on a length around off, AB de Villiers has to play at it but does not account for the away movement. The ball kisses the edge as he tries to push inside the line and goes into the hands of first slip. Shaun Marsh there takes it easily. End of a very good knock by AB de Villiers but once again he fails to convert. He, however, along with de Kock has taken the South Africans into a very good position with a 68-run stand as the hosts lead by 325.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. On middle, it is pushed to mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. First loose shot by ABD today! Luckily for him he is still out there. On a length outside off, a little swing away from the batsman. AB de Villiers goes after it away from his body but misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Down the leg side, de Kock tucks it through square leg for an easy run. He is now two runs short of what will be a very good fifty.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. On a length around off, de Kock defends it solidly.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. He starts off around the wicket and lands it on middle, works it to square leg.
Josh Hazlewood is into the attack.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Makes the batsman play by bowling it on middle. De Villiers defends it.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. Three leaves in a row.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Fuller in length and outside off, de Villiers shoulders arms.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Full and wide outside off, the sucker ball by Starc. AB de Villiers makes a leave.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Fuller this time on off and once again there is no swing on offer. De Villiers blocks it solidly.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. On a length and outside off, no swing on offer or maybe it was a little too short for the ball to do its bit. AB de Villiers makes a leave.
The new ball has been taken and Mitchell Starc has been brought into the attack for the first time today. What will the new ball do? We have seen it go for runs and give wickets. Australia would hope it gives them the breakthrough.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Excellent shot! He loves playing it there! Slightly short and outside off, not a lot of width on offer but enough for de Kock. He rocks back and guides it past the diving fielder at gully and into the fence. He moves onto 47.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Shorter in length outside off, guided to deep point for an easy run.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Closer to the off pole, de Villiers keeps it out.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Length ball outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. In the air... but well short! That was almost a replica to how he got out in the first innings. A cross-seam delivery and fuller in length on off, de Villiers tries to drive it on the up straight down the ground. The ball though sticks in the wicket and luckily for him he did not get the same connection as he got in the first innings. The ball goes on the bounce to mid off.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Good length outside off, left alone.
The second new ball is now available! The Australians have not taken it yet.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flatter on off, defended.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. We saw de Kock go after Lyon yesterday and he is looking to do the same here as he shimmies down the track. Lyon drags his length back but de Kock adjusts and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Shorter in length this time, AB de Villiers rocks back and whips it through mid-wicket but only for a run.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flatter on middle, de Villiers is happy to keep it out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Loopy ball on middle, AB rocks back and defends it.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air on off, ABD buries it onto the ground.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Classic Test match batting from the wicketkeeper batsman. Cummins is bowling it outside off, de Kock knows there is no need to play at it and he shoulders his arms to it.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Wide outside off, Cummins expects de Kock to play a loose shot but the left-hander is up for it and makes another leave.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Again watching the ball closely as Cummins bangs it short. De Kock evades it.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Pulls his length back a little outside off, de Kock once again makes a leave. Very watchful, playing the ball to its merit, something he was not doing in the recent times.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Fuller in length but outside off, de Kock makes a solid leave. This has been a good innings by the southpaw. He is playing on 43.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Works it through square leg with the angle for a run. The partnership is now worth 61 between the two.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Floats it up on, de Kock is solid in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Comes down the track and blocks it back towards the bowler. Lyon puts out an appeal but he is the only one doing so.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flatter on off, de Kock keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. The inside edge saves de Kock there! Lyon bowls the arm ball on middle, de Kock plays for the turn with bat and pad close to each other. However, there is no turn available and the ball takes an inside edge and hits the pads. Had there been no inside edge on that one, de Kock was a goner.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Serves it on a length around off, it comes back into the batsman. De Kock tries to guide it down to third man but the ball is too close to play that shot as it hits the gloves and goes on the bounce to first slip.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Wide outside off and the batsman need not play at those.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Good length ball on off, de Kock defends it towards covers.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On middle, worked across the line towards deep square leg for an easy run.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Another ball hitting the good length area on off, de Villiers keeps it out towards mid on.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On a length outside off, ABD makes a good leave.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Shorter in length on off, de Kock cuts it to the man at point.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flatter and on the stumps, de Kock keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Comes down the track and drives it down to long on to move onto 58.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Nicely bowled! Slower through the air outside off, de Villiers tries to drive it through the off side but the ball turns into him. It goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flatter on middle, ABD pushes back to the bowler off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air on middle, kept out.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Full toss, a gift on off, de Kock strokes it through covers and the ball races away for the fourth boundary of the day.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. A bumper outside off, de Kock goes for the pull but then pulls out of the shot as the ball bounces a touch more.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Down the leg side and ABD flicks it down towards fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Back of a length on off, worked around the corner for an easy single.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. On a length and closer to the off pole. De Kock pushes it back towards the bowler.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Fullish outside off, gets it to tail back in but not enough to make the batsman play.
Just an over for Mitchell Marsh as Pat Cummins comes into the attack.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air and on the stumps, de Villiers blocks it.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Boundaries are leaking today! Short and outside off, not where an off spinner should bowl. De Villiers rocks back and punches it through cover-point for a boundary. That also brings up the 50-run stand between the two.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Fires it on off, going on with the arm. De Villiers prods forward and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air on middle, ABD lunges forward and keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flatter on middle, de Kock off the back foot works it around the corner for a brisk single.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Tosses it up on off, eased down to long on for an easy run.
Nathan Lyon will bowl from the other end.
Mitchell Marsh to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! The move to start off with Marsh was just not the right one! The lead is now in excess of 300. A full ball outside off, a half-volley. De Kock takes full toll of it and drives it through covers for a boundary. 8 from this over, excellent start for South Africa.
Mitchell Marsh to Quinton de Kock. Another ball on a length around off, de Kock prods forward and keeps it out.
Mitchell Marsh to Quinton de Kock. Good length outside the off stump, de Kock makes a watchful leave.
Mitchell Marsh to Quinton de Kock. Closer to the off pole and also on a fuller length. De Kock lunges forward and keeps it out.
Mitchell Marsh to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Opens the account today morning in style! Short and wide outside off, de Kock pounces on the width offered and cuts it through backward point for a boundary.
Mitchell Marsh to Quinton de Kock. Starts off with a full ball on off, de Kock drives it nicely but straight to the fielder at covers.
Okay, then! Let us now concentrate on the game as the players make their way out in the middle. Just like yesterday, it is a sellout crowd. AB de Villiers along with Quinton de Kock will continue their innings. Tim Paine who is the acting skipper for the remainder of this game, hands the ball to Mitchell Marsh who will start the proceedings for the day. That is surely a surprise. However, he has two slips and a gully in place. Here we go...
BREAKING NEWS - Steve Smith and David Warner have stood down as captain and vice-captain for the remainder of this Test. Tim Paine will be leading the team on the park today with Smith and Warner playing under him. (via Cricket Australia)
Ottis Gibson, the South African coach, who is giving an interview says he is a little bit shocked after the incident not something you want to see. Adds further it is very disappointing. Reckons there are quite a few involved as they mentioned leadership group. He feels there is a need for two strong match officials in such a series and he hopes they would take care of it. Mentions they are in a strong position in the game and they don't want to give away the advantage. Admits they are well focused and they are looking to bat themselves into a good position. Ends by saying over 300 will put them in a strong position.
For Australia, wickets that too in a heap is the demand of the hour. They would hope for someone from their team to stand up and deliver the goods. They will look to bundle the South African side within the first session to stand a chance in this game. Will we see the Australians roaring back or will the South African side continue their merry way? Stay with us to find out.
Let us keep the controversies aside and look forward to the game. The hosts have a firm hold on this game as they lead by 294 and they still have five wickets in hand. It is a matter of how many more would they feel will be enough as there is still a lot of time left in the game.
Shocked. Embarrassed. Sad. It's not a happy morning for cricket, especially for the Australian cricket. After Cameron Bancroft admitted about tampering with the ball, all hell has broken loose and the severity of this incident is so much that the Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull has even asked Cricket Australia to sack the skipper Steven Smith. Without any shade of doubt, it has brought disrepute to the game and there must be serious repercussions. But as the saying goes, the show must go on and we are here for the fourth day of the Cape Town Test.
...DAY 4, FIRST SESSION...
The controversy surrounding Cameron Bancroft where he is supposedly tampering the ball with a piece of sandpaper will remain the talking point of the evening. Unfortunately, taking the spotlight away from some good cricket that we witnessed today. But this is how it is. The match referee will be having a look into this case and let's hope the truth comes out, if it is not obvious already. On that note, we take your leave. Do join us for Day 4 at 1030 local (0830 GMT). Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!
Aiden Markram gives a quick interview. Says he had luck on his side as he could have been dismissed on a duck but it was nice to fight through. He feels good after playing the knock he did today. Mentions he has learnt quite a bit every day and he is trying to improve with each passing day. Admits Test cricket is a great challenge and he wants to keep playing it. Credits Dean Elgar, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla for the way they fought in the first innings. Reckons they will have to work hard and bowl well in the fourth innings to defend the total. Ends by saying they haven't thought a lot about the final score but something above 350 will be a good one.
Australia have been bouncing back in this Test match in the last session but today wasn't exactly that case. They did manage to pick a couple of quick wickets but from the game point of view, they are way behind the 8-ball. Their bowlers have worked hard but have been largely ineffective. It's not that they have gone for too many runs but the need of the hour was wickets, that too in a heap, which didn't happen. With their backs to the wall, they can only hope to get things right on Day 4. It has not slipped away entirely at the moment but another 75-100 runs to the lead and it's going to be a really tough task to win/save this Test match on a naughty surface.
From thereon, AB de Villiers took the charge and like he usually does, he made his presence felt. It has not been a trademark AB knock as he mixed caution with aggression and quietly built his innings. Currently, South Africa are six runs short of stretching their lead to 300 and they are in with a good chance to swell it even further.
Stumps on Day 3! Strong batting show by South Africa has put them in a commanding position in this Test match! They gained a lead in excess of 50 runs this morning and then their batsmen applied themselves to take the hosts forward. In spite of losing Dean Elgar early (for a change), Aiden Markram (dropped on zero) constructed a couple of crucial stands with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. He was unlucky to miss out on his century but his knock made sure that Australia didn't get a sniff with the new ball.
...and the umpires are looking at the light meter. They find it's not good enough to carry on. The on-air commentators not for the first time aren't pleased. They feel it has not gone darker than it has been all day. Anyway, they are not the decision-maker. Still no official confirmation about stumps. For the moment, the status is - Bad light has stopped play!
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Once again extra lift from the surface and de Villiers keeps it out very awkwardly.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Bowling consistently on a length and keeping the line outside off, AB de Villiers makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Oohhh...AB really got into a tangle there. Extra bounce from a length around off, surprises the batsman who takes his eyes off and then tries to fend at it. He somehow keeps it out safely. The umpires will be keeping a close eye on the lightmeter.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. De Villiers has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Fireworks going on just outside the stadium. Don't know what's the occasion. Maybe, a rugby game going on.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Bouncer this time, around off, too high for AB to attempt a hook shot. He allows it through. Nothing from the square leg umpire.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Cummins is still running in hard. Delivers it on a driving length outside off, de Villiers takes his front leg to cover the line and then shoulders arms.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Fires it in, around off, Quinton defends it from the back foot to point.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Nicely bowled. Tossed up above the eye-line of the batsman, it lands full and around off, de Kock drives it straight to short cover.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Flighted delivery, de Kock goes down on one knee, fetches it from around off and sweeps it firmly in front of square leg. Good enough for a couple.
Steven Smith is having a chat with his bowler. Slight change in the field - A fielder comes at short fine leg and square leg drops back.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flighted and on middle, AB moves back to work it in front of square leg. A single taken with ease.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flatter and on off, 91 kph, blocked safely.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Drops it on a length around off, de Kock pushes it from the crease to short cover.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. A bouncer by Pat, nicely directed, de Kock leans back and allows it through.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Another delivery shaping back in from a length outside off, de Kock defends it near his front pad.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Angling into the batsman on a length, de Kock keeps it out safely on the off side.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Pitches it full and outside off, de Kock plays a glorious off drive but finds the fielder.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Short and outside off, it's cut square of the wicket on the off side for a couple of runs.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Another front foot defense by AB to end the over.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flighted and full on off, defended from the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. FOUR! 45th Test fifty for AB de Villiers, his second in this match. Continues his merry way. Brings up the milestone with a cheeky little reverse sweep. Finds the gap through backward point and it speeds away to the fence. Wonderful knock by AB! He raises his bat to acknowledge the crowd. Another record to his name as he now becomes the leading run-scorer for South Africa in Tests against Australia. You beauty, ABD!
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flighted and on middle, de Villiers defends it off his front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Deft this time. De Kock is on his knees again but paddles it fine down the leg side for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! De Kock is hitting his straps now. Goes down on one knee to a full ball around off and absolutely smashes it over backward square leg for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Back of a length on off, guided towards point for a run.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Down the leg side, Quinton leaves it and Paine behind the stumps dives to his right and collects it well.
Pat Cummins to Quinton de Kock. Fuller on off, eased down to mid off.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On middle, worked across the line and towards mid-wicket for a run.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Once again bowls it on off, AB de Villiers keeps it out.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, ABD keeps it out.
Pat Cummins is back on.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. SIX! Boom boom goes QDK! He dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and then sends it sailing over the long on fence.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Brings out the sweep and hits it through square leg for a brace.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. EDGY FOUR! Flatter on off, de Kock is unsure whether to play forward or back. He stays rooted inside his crease and then tries to defend. The ball spins away a touch and it takes the outside edge and goes past first slip for a boundary.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Comes down the track and tries to defend it but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air on off, de Villiers pushes it towards mid off for a quick run.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Loopy ball on middle, driven back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Excellent bowling! On a length outside off, the ball takes off after pitching. De Kock slashes at it but misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Length ball around off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Fuller on middle, worked towards mid-wicket for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Short and on middle, pulled to fine leg for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Fuller on middle, eased to mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. On a length around off, de Kock tries to defend but is late onto the shot. The ball hits the bottom edge and de Kock is unaware where the ball is but luckily for him it bounces over the stumps.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. On the stumps, de Villiers keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Loopy ball on middle, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air on middle, driven back towards the bowler who made a good save diving to his right.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Gives it air on middle, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Quinton de Kock. Dances down the track and drives it down to long off for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Fuller on off, driven to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket. The fielder there misfields but does not concede a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Shorter in length on off, guided through point for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. The batsman has punched that ball through the offside.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Shortish on off, de Kock guides it to point.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Fuller on off, de Kock drives it through covers and bags a brace. De Kock needs a score here for his own confidence.
Drinks!
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flatter on off, kept out. End of a maiden, they are trying to put pressure on the South African batsmen.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Flighted ball on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Works it with the turn towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Floats it up on off, eased to mid off.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Tosses it up on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Fuller on off, eased to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Short ball, de Kock mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. On a length around off, it comes back in with the angle. De Kock tries to guide it down to third man but the ball is too close to play that shot. It takes the inside edge and goes to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock. Off the mark of the first ball! Full and wide outside off, de Kock squeezes it through point for a brace.
Quinton de Kock is the next man in.
Josh Hazlewood to Temba Bavuma. OUT! Hazlewood strikes! Two quick wickets in two overs for Australia and they now have their tails up. Inspired bowling change by Warner. He gets in Josh and he sends Bavuma back off his first ball. Hazlewood bowls it on a length around off, it swings away a touch and that brings about the downfall of Bavuma. He lunges forward and tries to defend it but the ball takes the outside edge and goes low towards Handscomb, the substitute fielder, at second slip. He dives forward and takes an excellent catch inches above the ground. The Australians are ecstatic and they are trying to fight back. South Africa now have half their side back in the hut.
Josh Hazlewood is back on.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Floats it up on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Eases it down through mid on for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. FOUR! Intent by Bavuma! He goes down on one knee and then sweeps it over the square leg fielder and into the fence.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Temba Bavuma walks out to the middle.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. OUT! Height is not an issue there and the Hawk Eye shows three reds. Excellent use of technology by the Australians, they have got the Protea skipper. Pin drop silence here in the ground. To be honest, nobody thought that this was going to be overturned. Lyon tosses this one up on off, it turns back in sharply. Faf du Plessis goes on the back foot and tries to flick it. He misses and the ball hits him on the pads. Lyon makes a loud appeal but the umpire shakes his head. He has a word with Warner who is the acting skipper as Smith is not on the ground and then David signals the 'T'. They go upstairs and the replays first show no involvement of the bat. Then, the Ball Tracker shows it to be hitting the top of the leg stump. Faf has been given the marching orders and the South African dressing room cannot believe it. Another failure for the South African skipper. His side although is in a good position, leading by 252.
Review time! A huge appeal for LBW against Faf du Plessis has not been given. As Steven Smith is not on the field, Lyon convinces David Warner to go for it and he does. Height seems to be an issue.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. A little too full on off, eased down to long on for a run.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Good length on off, FDP blocks it towards point.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Short ball, du Plessis does not go for the pull and lets it go through to the keeper.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. On a length around off, blocked.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Good length on off, kept out.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Shorter in length on off, Faf punches it towards cover where the man who hid something in his pants fields it by diving to his left.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air outside off, de Villiers leaves it. The keeper does not collect it behind the stumps as he would have felt it is hitting the off pole. It was close, a good leave by Mr. 360.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. FOUR! You can't keep him quiet for long! He will always find a way to score. Brings out the reverse sweep and connects well. It beats the fielder at backward point and the ball races away. Lead crosses 250 now!
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. From over the wicket now, he fires it on middle. ABD blocks it out.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. Down the leg side and Faf du Plessis helps it on its way down to fine leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. Flatter on off, Faf easily camps back and punches it back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. Slower through the air on middle, tucked to short leg.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Another short ball, a well-directed one but it is well ducked under.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. A bumper on middle, de Villiers evades it.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Works it around the corner for a run. 39 is the partnership between the two.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Wide outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Short and put away! Cummins bangs it half way down the track. Du Plessis gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Too easy for ABD he keeps rotating the strike which is so frustrating for the bowler. Not such a bad delivery on a length around middle, AB de Villiers nudges it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Loopy ball on off, kept out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. Clips it with the turn through short fine leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. Tosses it up on off, it's kept out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Works it through the leg side for a run.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Nasty, very nasty! That takes off out of nowhere! On a length around off, it shoots off the surface and also jags back in. Faf it taken by surprise and gets hit on the arm as he tries to defend it. Replays later on show it hits his gloves. Painful that, also not to forget he has had injury issues with his fingers.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. On a length around off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Just ahead of a length around off, wanting Faf to play the same shot he did on the last ball. But the skipper makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Full and outside off, Faf du Plessis reaches out for it and drives it square on the off side for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Seen quite a few deliveries taking off from a length! Once again Cummins lands it on a good length area around off. Faf does well to defend it by taking a hand off the handle.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Nudges it around the corner with the angle for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. Bowled on middle, nudged to mid-wicket. End of a tight over by Lyon, just a run off it.
Nathan Lyon to Faf du Plessis. Flatter on off, guided to point.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Works it with the turn through square leg. AB de Villiers wants two but there is only one in it.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Slower through the air on off, the batsman keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Loopy ball on middle, ABD prods forward to block it.
Nathan Lyon to AB de Villiers. Starts around the wicket and tosses it up on off, AB de Villiers defends it by lunging forward.
Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. Double change by Smith.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Once again gets extra bounce as he lands it on a length around off, Faf tries to play it off the back foot and the ball hits the higher portion of the bat.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. On a length around middle, Faf gets behind it and blocks it.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Leading edge but safe! Angles it on the pads, ABD tries to work it on the leg side but closes the face of his bat early. The ball takes the leading edge and goes towards deep point for a run.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Fuller in length on off, ABD pushes it back to the bowler.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Back of a length on off, defended.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On a length and on the stumps, kept out.
Pat Cummins is back on.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Full marks to the bowler but runs to the batsman! On a length around off, Faf du Plessis tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes down towards third man for a boundary. 230 is the lead now, game slowly slipping away from Aussies.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. What a delivery and equally well played by the Protea skipper. Full ball on off, it shapes back in late, very late I should write. Faf du Plessis does extremely well to get a little bat to it as the ball takes the inside edge and hits him on his pads. He is down on the ground after he plays that shot. Top stuff by Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. Goes wide of the crease and angles it on off, FDP rocks back and keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. Good length on middle, Faf covers the line of the ball and blocks it onto the ground.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. BEATEN! On a length outside off, straightens a touch. Faf has to play at it as he feels it is angling into him but in the end he is beaten by the away movement.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Back of a length on off, kept out.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Not convincing though! Short and outside off, AB de Villiers first thinks about cutting it but then tries to pull out of the shot. He though is too late as the ball hits the outside half and goes over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Learns the lesson the hard way and goes back to bowling it outside off, the batsman makes a leave.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Easy-peasy for AB de Villiers! Starc gets a little too straight and that is enough for ABD to flick it through mid-wicket and there is no stopping that ball.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Works it with the angle towards square leg.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. A bouncer outside off, du Plessis evades it.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. On a length outside off, Faf makes a watchful leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. Good length on off, kept out.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. That has come back a long way and also late! On a length outside off, jags back in late and also bounces extra. Faf tries to keep it out but is hit high on the thigh pad.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. Bowls it wider outside off, Faf need not play at those.
Josh Hazlewood to Faf du Plessis. Hits the length on off, Faf defends it off the front foot.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Full on the pads, Faf du Plessis flicks it through square leg. There is nobody in that region and Josh has to make good ground to his left from fine leg. The batsmen in the meantime take three.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Just ahead of a length outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Fullish on off, FDP drives it to covers.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Similar to the delivery which got Faf du Plessis in the first game. Starc from around the wicket angles it on off, this time though he does not get it to shape away. Faf covers the line and defends it.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. On a length around off, pulls his length back this time. Du Plessis lets it be.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Off the mark with a delightful stroke! It does not go all the way but the skipper gets a brace. Full and on off, looking for some swing. There ain't any as Faf plants his front foot forward and strokes it through covers for two.
Mitchell Starc to continue his spell.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. A dot to finish! 6 from the first over after the break. Length outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Good cricket all around! Hazlewood bowls the inswinger this time from outside off. He lands it on a length. ABD waits for it and then guides it towards third man. Steven Smith at second slip, dives and gets a hand to it but can't stop the batsmen from running two.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Goes full now on off, AB de Villiers mistimes it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. A delivery on a similar length to the last one but this time closer to the off pole. De Villiers tries to repeat the same shot but chops it in front of the slip cordon.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Placed to perfection! A tad short outside off, not a lot of width on offer. De Villiers rocks back and guides it past the diving fielder at point for a boundary. First runs for this session.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Starts off with a fuller ball outside off, swings away further. AB de Villiers makes a leave.
We are back for the final session, it is still quite gloomy out here and there are a total of 37 overs to be bowled. A big doubt whether we will get all of the overs in as the men concerned make their way out to the middle. AB de Villiers will take strike to Josh Hazlewood. Here we go...
... Day 3, Session 3 ...
The Australian bowlers toiled hard but without much success. They needed wickets in a heap but that never came. There was also a controversial moment in the session when Cameron Bancroft was caught shining the ball with a yellow particle, supposedly a sandpaper. Nothing concrete on this issue yet. Anyway, let's keep our focus on this game where the Proteas are heading to a big total. Can Australia bounce back in the evening session like the last two days? Do join us in a short while to find out.
Another good session for the Proteas. They have extended their lead to 207 and have a strong hold on this Test match. Aiden Markram, after getting dropped for a duck, certainly made his second life count by adding important partnerships with Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. He got out just at the stroke of the break and missed a well-deserved century.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Full and on off, du Plessis has played that off the front foot and into the ground. That will be Tea on day 3!
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Good length delivery outside off, left alone.
Skipper Faf du Plessis joins de Villiers in the middle.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. OUT! A soft dismissal for Markram. Dropped on 0, he has surely made the Aussies pay, not only through his knock but also through his partnerships. Starc with the breakthrough. After serving in the channel outside off, he dishes one in line of the stumps. On a length and Markram brings his bat down to punch it down the ground but mistimes it towards mid on. Maybe, the ball held a bit onto him. Cummins takes a low catch with his fingers pointing skywards. Hmm...interesting technique. South Africa lead by 207 runs.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Nicely done. Starc offers width outside off, Markram just uses the pace of the bowler and guides it through the gap between gully and point for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Straying down the leg side, de Villiers nudges it to fine leg where Hazlewood does the fielding. A single taken.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Fab shot! It's full and swinging outside off, Markram accounts for the movement as he drives it gloriously through covers. Nathan Lyon cuts it off in the deep and they take a couple of runs.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. A length ball on off, Markram gets behind the line and defends it to the off side.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. A bit short in length again, around off, Markram strokes it off his front foot to covers where Shaun makes a good stop.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. A touch short and outside off, another leave by Aiden.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Good length ball outside off, Markram leaves it and Paine standing up to the stumps does well to collect it.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Lead is 200 now! A length ball on middle has been worked in front of square leg for a couple of runs.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Shortish on off, played down to point to end the over.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Full and on off, swinging back in, AB gets forward and defends it back.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Lands it outside off, inviting the drive but AB is content in leaving it.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. A touch short and on middle, it's eased behind square leg for a brace.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. Lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Mitchell Starc to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, it's played down from the crease to point.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. SIX! All the way! No risk involved as there was no one in the deep on the leg side. Markram picks the short ball early, gets on top of the bounce and dismisses it over mid-wicket for a biggie. South Africa lead by 196 runs!
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Good length ball on off, defended from the crease by Aiden.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Shortish and on off, de Villiers rocks back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. No run.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Shortish on off, Markram gets back and defends it down.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Starc pitches it full and outside off, Markram drives it square of the wicket on the off side and it races through to the fence.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Straighter in line, Markram goes on his toes and taps it down to square leg.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Gets forward to a full ball and drives it back.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Angles in a length ball on off, it's defended off the back foot.
The umpires are getting together to have a chat. A replay shows that Bancroft was probably using something to shine one side of the ball but then he hides it inside his trouser. The officials check with him but nothing comes out. We can only see a black handkerchief. Hmm...another controversy seems to be knocking on the door! In the meantime, Starc has been brought back into the attack.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Good length ball on off, AB remains back footed and taps it down to point.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Pitches it up on off, this time de Villiers drives but finds mid off.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Angling into the batsman around off and moving away after landing, AB takes his front leg forward to cover the line and leaves it alone.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. A touch short and outside off, Markram offers no shot.
Mitchell Marsh to AB de Villiers. Starts with a full length ball wide outside off, de Villiers leans forward and drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a single.
Mitchell Marsh is back on.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Good length ball on middle and leg, worked behind square leg for a single. The lead is now 183!
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. FOUR! A little bit of outside edge there. Cummins bowls it on a full length around off, shaping in, de Villiers presses forward to play at it but it takes the outside edge and speeds through gully for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Bouncer around middle and leg, angling down, de Villiers ducks.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Pitches it full and on off, AB plays a cracking straight drive which gets cut away by Warner at mid off.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. In the channel outside off, on a length, AB shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Cummins puts some doubt in de Villiers' mind by placing a deep square leg in place. But rather than bowling short, he decides to do the double bluff. Serves it on a length, around middle and leg, AB gets on top of it and helps it behind square leg. Takes two.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Shaping back into the batsman, Markram defends it from the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Strides forward and drives a full ball back to the bowler.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. FOUR! This is a loose delivery. Hazlewood does get his line a little towards off stump but his length is on the fuller side. Markram eases himself on the front foot and drives it through covers for a boundary. Does well to get his weight pushing forward into the shot.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Hazlewood is not making the batsman play. Bowls another delivery wide outside off and it's another easy leave for Aiden.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. On a length and outside off, Markram once again has nothing to do with it.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Fuller in length and outside off, Markram is watchful as he lets it through. He's trying to regain his focus after gifting a half chance a few overs back.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Bowls it on a length and close to the off stump line, de Villiers shuffles across a bit and defends it back.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. In the channel outside off, AB shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Full and on middle, pushed towards wide mid on for a run.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Good length ball on off, angling in, Markram defends it from the crease.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. On a driving length outside off, Markram gets forward and then leaves it. Paine collects it to his left as it swings later.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. An inswinger this time, the shiny side of the ball is inside and hence the ball tails back in. AB keeps his eyes glued to the cherry as he defends it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Back of a length delivery on off, AB remains on the back foot and punches it to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to AB de Villiers. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, de Villiers has nothing to do with it.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. That's not the length to bowl when it's reversing. Josh bangs it in short on middle, Markram nicely eases it to fine leg where Cummins makes a good stop. A run taken.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. This one is angled in the line of the off stump, Markram covers the line and then blocks it with a straight bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Nice delivery. Angling into the batsman and the ball moves away with the shiny side. Markram is not picking it, he is uncertain and is left guessing. Ends up pushing inside the line and misses.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Another delivery on a length outside off, AB tries to force it through the line but misses. Good contest, a maiden this one.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. On a length and around off, defended off the back foot by de Villiers.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. A full toss this time, de Villiers cracks it straight back and it ricochets off the bowler's leg to Bancroft at short cover. He catches it and appeals, funny.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Too full and on off, de Villiers digs it out from the bottom half of the bat. It bounces near the stumps and AB keeps a close eye on it. He was ready just in case the ball decides to get naughty and head towards his stumps.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. This one is very wide outside off, AB shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Hurls in a length ball outside off, de Villiers lets it through.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Better this time as Markram covers the line and blocks it safely. Eventful over.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Nervy moment for Markram. He goes after another length delivery outside off, swishes his blade but misses this time.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. STEVEN SMITH NEARLY PULLED OUT A BEAUTY! Hazlewood serves a length delivery in the zone outside off, Markram flashes his bat hard at it and gets an outside edge behind. Smith at second slip flies to his right but fails to take it with one hand. Something similar happened in the first innings as well. The Aussie skipper is disappointed with himself, he sets high standards. Nevertheless, he has saved a certain boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Wrong line, down the leg side, Markram eases it fine down the leg side and fetches a boundary. He is quietly going on nicely from one end.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Good length delivery outside off, left alone.
Drinks. The last hour has also belonged to South Africa. They have swelled their lead to 166 and have the upper hand. Australia did manage to remove Hashim Amla but they need a flurry of wickets to stay relevant in this Test match.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Outside off, AB de Villiers lets Paine do the honours.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Fullish and on off, driven off the front foot but straight back to the bowler. Plenty of chirping going on from behind the stumps now. It's getting heated up. They all know this is a very vital phase. An hour or so of AB de Villiers and Australia will have to kiss their chances goodbye.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. SIX! Out of here! Enough of leaving those. Cummins serves another one short and wide outside off, AB latches onto it and spanks it over covers for a biggie. Great connection, not easy to clear the ropes while playing such shots but he is AB de Villiers. Anything is possible for him. Usually calm in nature, Cummins doesn't like it and hurls a few verbal volleys at AB. The South African superstar just stands and stares with a smile. He is just awesome. When your bat can do the talking, why trouble your tongue.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Another leave made by AB de Villiers to a delivery wide outside off.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Again, movement back into the batsman, tailing in from a fuller length, Markram works it across the line towards mid-wicket.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. This time Markram gets nicely behind the line and dead bats it near the surface.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. A hint of reverse swing there as it comes back into the batsman a long back, Markram tries to play it down but gets an inside edge onto the back leg. First signs that it has started to tail in a little bit.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Bowls it from wide of the crease and angles in a length ball on off, Markram keeps it out to covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Back of a length ball on off, it's defended off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to AB de Villiers. Good length ball wide outside off, shaping away, AB shoulders arms to end a successful over.
The superstar, AB de Villiers arrives.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. OUT! Out of nowhere, there is a wicket! For a moment, we thought it's a crowd catch but no, a wicket has fallen. Cummins bowls a length to Amla which gets him driving. However, he fails to keep it down and hands a simple catch to Bancroft at short cover. So, against the run of play, Australia have a wicket and it's that man again providing it. End of a 76-run stand, a good one for the Proteas which has pushed their lead to 160!
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Lands it on a length and just outside off, Amla gets across the stumps, covers the angle and shoulders arms.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Serves it up and outside off, Amla mistimes his drive on the off side.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. In the channel again, wide outside off, Amla has nothing to do with it.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, it's left alone by Amla. The ball swings after going past him and Paine does well to grab it.
Pat Cummins returns.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Beautiful! Markram loves getting on the front foot. Gets the opportunity this time as the length is full and he plays a punchy-drive through the gap at covers for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Good length delivery outside off, another leave made by Markram.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Back of a length around off, Markram watches the line closely before making a leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Good length ball on off, defended from the crease to extra cover.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. In the zone outside off, left alone.
The cameraman is now wearing his raincoat and also covering his expensive equipment.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Starts with a length ball angling into the batsman, Aiden defends it back to the bowler.
Drops of water on the camera lens. It's approaching. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood has approached the crease to begin another spell.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. This time Starc angles in a full ball on off, Amla is solidly behind the line in defense.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Short and wide outside off, Amla lets it be.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. 100 comes up for South Africa! Markram flicks it in the gap on the leg side and collects a run.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Full and shaping back into the batsman, Markram helps it down to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Run out chance missed and that's fifty for Markram, his third in Tests! He gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it towards wide mid on. Takes on the fielder and completes the run. A direct hit at the bowler's end would have been curtains for Aiden. Anyway, a good knock by him after bagging a duck in the first innings.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Presses forward to a full ball and drives it to mid off.
Mitchell Marsh to Hashim Amla. Back of a length delivery on off, Amla tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad. It rolls in front of cover-point and they steal a run. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Another delivery, straighter in line, worked to the right side of the mid-wicket fielder for another run.
Mitchell Marsh to Hashim Amla. Full and on middle, clipped towards mid-wicket for a run.
Mitchell Marsh to Aiden Markram. Shortish and off, punched square of the wicket on the off side for a single.
Mitchell Marsh is introduced into the attack.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Starc delivers it on a good length around off, gets it to straighten a tad, Amla pushes inside the line and edges it down to gully. On one bounce to the fielder.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Safely in! Full in length and on middle, Markram bunts it down to mid on and takes on the fielder standing there. Cummins attacks the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. It's referred upstairs but the replays find Aiden safely in. Lead is now 150!
Direct hit at the non-striker's end by Cummins. They are always close and hence the umpire is not taking any chance. Goes upstairs. The Aussies though are not very excited.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Ouch, that's hit him on the elbow. Markram isn't showing much pain. But Starc doesn't shy away from giving him a stare. A sharp short ball on middle and leg, Markram fails to get away from the line of fire and cops a blow.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Staying a touch low around off, Markram punches it from the back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Slants in a full ball on off, Markram gets on the front foot and defends it back safely.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Lyon ups his pace and serves it around leg, Markram nudges it to fine leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. SIX! No holding back this time. Fancy footwork shown by him as he shimmies down the track and just goes through with his shot. Doesn't try to overhit it, only times it and sends it packing over the bowler's head.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Goes flatter and lands it on off, Markram defends it from the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Tossed up ball outside off, pushed off the front foot but straight to the cover fielder.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. With the spin, Amla works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Nothing visible there. Fuller and outside off, Markram keeps it out safely to end the over.
It has turned really gloomy out there. The artificial lights are switched on. Overcast conditions, floodlights on, will this combination assist some swing?
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on off, Aiden dabs it down from the back foot to point.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Short in length and outside off, Markram goes on his toes to play it down towards gully-point. Nathan Lyon makes the stop.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Oohhh...a cracking straight drive to a full ball by Markram but Starc does well to stop it in his followthrough.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Starc serves a full length delivery wide outside off, Amla uses his long reach to drive it through covers. Warner gives it the chase and pulls it back acrobatically. He is a livewire on the field. Saves a run for his team.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. A rib-tickler by Starc, sharp and around leg on a shortish length, Amla shoulders arms as he turns inside the crease. He was out pulling a similar length delivery in the last innings and hence is quite watchful at the moment.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Quicker and straighter on middle, Amla goes deep inside the crease and hits it behind square leg for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Stays back inside the crease and offers a straight bat in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Amla has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Flatter through the air, around middle and off, Amla defends it off his back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Skidding away from the batsman outside off, Amla allows it through.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Tossed up ball on middle, Markram moves back to work it in the gap on the leg side for a single.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Ends the over with a bouncer, Amla ducks and this time Paine makes no mistake.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Returns to the channel of uncertainty but it's not close enough to bother the batsman. An easy leave for Hash!
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Four byes! A rare miss by Paine! Back of a length ball once again drifting down the leg side, Amla fails to work it across the line and Paine also fails to collect it. It pops out from his gloves and races away to the fine leg fence. The 50-run stand comes up between the two and the lead is now 136 runs.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Wayward! Starc delivers this one from wide of the crease and angles a good length ball way down the leg side. Amla allows it through and Paine has to stretch to his left to collect the ball.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Good length ball outside off, Amla keeps his wrists down, leans back a bit and leaves it alone.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. On a length around off, angling in, Markram taps it down wide of the point fielder and steals a single.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Loopy and outside off, very little spin visible, Amla makes a leave.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Top sweep shot! Full floated ball around off, Amla kneels down and across to unveil a sweet sweep shot. Makes good connection and sends it fine down the leg side for a boundary.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Spinning down the leg side, Amla hangs back inside the crease, watches the line closely, then judges the turn and then only he leaves it alone.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Leans forward to a full ball and defends it watchfully.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Drags his length short a bit, around off, Aiden moves back and works it through mid-wicket for one.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Tossed up ball on off, Markram defends it off his front foot.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Not out! Nothing on the Ultra Edge at all. Starc bangs in a short ball on middle and leg, Amla shapes up for the pull shot but fails to middle it. The ball whizzes past his gloves to the keeper who catches it and they all appeal. The finger has gone up but Amla quickly takes the referral. His body language showed that he is very confident. And the replays show why he is so... Good use of the technology.
Appeal for a catch! It's given and Amla immediately takes the referral. He is looking quite relaxed. Very sure that he got no bat or gloves on it. Let's find out...
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Once again some steep bounce as he lands outside off, Amla points his bat skywards and allows it through.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Good one by Starc again, fuller and angling in around off, Amla defends it back off his front foot.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Much better line by Starc. Spears this one, around off on a good length, steep bounce on this occasion, Amla does well to cover the line before making a leave.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Past the gully fielder. This one is short and wide outside off, Amla camps back and punches it past Khawaja for a boundary. He tries stopping it with a dive to his right but it's quite far from him.
Mitchell Starc to Hashim Amla. Starc starts this spell from around the wicket and bowls it on a good length outside off, Amla shoulders arms.
Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Tossed up ball and on off, Aiden once again solidly deals with it.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Flatter and on off, Markram defends it off his back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Once again Amla shifts his weight on the back leg and turns it on the leg side for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Pulls his length back a bit and serves it on off, Amla goes on the back foot in defense.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Loopy and full outside off, Amla draws forward and across to defend it on the off side.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Starts with a round-arm action, bowls it flighted and full on off, Amla defends it by getting forward.
We're back and so are the players. An important session coming up. If South Africa manage to dominate it, they will end up getting a formidable lead, while Australia's aim will be to stop them from doing that. Nathan Lyon to begin proceedings...
...DAY 3, SECOND SESSION...
The Aussie bowlers did try their best but there is not a lot of assistance from the wicket. Cummins is the only one who has had success. Australia would hope for some quick wickets after the break whereas the Proteas will want the current pair to build a big partnership. Their aim will be to bat the Aussies out of the game. It has gotten a little dark out there but no signs of rain as of now. Let us hope that it stays that way. Join us for the second session in a bit.
So, another session which can be termed in the favour of the home side. They came out first with the ball and took the last wicket within the first three overs. Then with the bat, in spite of losing Elgar early they have swelled their lead to 121. Amla and Markram, who was dropped on duck, have started to find their range. They have added 37 for the second wicket and are looking good to make it big.
Steven Smith to Aiden Markram. Gives it air on middle, Markram keeps it out. LUNCH ON DAY 3!
Steven Smith to Aiden Markram. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Steven Smith to Aiden Markram. Floats it up on off, Markram lunges forward and defends it.
Steven Smith to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Heart in the mouth moment for Markram there! A short ball by Smith, a half tracker on middle. Markram rocks back and pulls it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. For a second Markram might have thought he has made a mistake by playing that shot but Marsh in the deep may not have picked it up. He then starts running to his left but it is too late by then and the ball crosses the rope. Smith thought he almost had a wicket there, that would have been the perfect thing for them heading into the break.
Steven Smith to Aiden Markram. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Steven Smith to Aiden Markram. Shorter in length on middle, worked through square leg for a brace.
Steven Smith is into the attack. He probably is bowling the last over before lunch.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Quicker outside off, trying to beat the batsman in air. Amla though rocks back and punches it to covers.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. On a shorter length on middle, pushed down to long on to change strike.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Tosses it up on middle, nudged to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Works it around the corner for a run.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Fires it on off, Amla keeps it out.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. FOUR! What timing! Just a flick of the wrists and the ball races away. Flatter and on the stumps, Amla rocks back and whips it through square leg. The timing is such that the fielder from square leg who is giving it a chase has no chance of stopping it.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. On a length around off, it shapes away a touch. Markram is squared up as he tries to defend but keeps it out.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. A bouncer on middle, Markram ducks under it.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on off, defended off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. FOUR! In the air but in the gap! Lucky was Markram there! Almost an action replay of the last delivery but this time Cummins bends his back and puts in more effort. The ball bounces a touch more after landing on a back of a length region. Markram is done in by the bounce as he tries to force it through the off side. It goes off the edge and into the gap between gully and backward point for a boundary. 50 up for the Proteas and the lead is now 109.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. This was nicely played and well fielded also! Cummins bowls it short on off, Markram rocks back and guides it towards point where Lyon dives to his left and saves a couple for his side.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on off, Markram defends it.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Down the leg side and Amla makes a leave.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Loopy ball on middle, Amla presses forward and blocks the ball onto the ground.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Shorter in length, turning back in. Amla works it towards short leg who does not let it past him.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Eases it down to long on with the spin for a run.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Not very full but surely fuller than the length he bowled on the previous one. Amla defends it off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Short again on middle, Amla evades it. Two short balls in a row. Be ready for the full one.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Bangs it half way down the track. Amla ducks under it.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Works it with the angle towards wide mid on for a quick run. The partnership now moves onto 20 between the two.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Lands it on a length around off, Markram defends it on the front foot.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. Flighted ball on middle, turning in. Amla defends it.
Nathan Lyon to Hashim Amla. FOUR! The lead now moves above hundred! Short and wide outside off, the margin for error for a spinner on this wicket is very less. Amla rocks back and cuts it through point and the ball races away.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Floats it up on off, no turn for Lyon, Markram easily keeps it out. Not a lot of purchase has been available for the spinners.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Wide outside off, left alone.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram. Tosses it up on off, it is driven back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon is into the attack.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Hits the length outside off, Amla makes a leave. So four leaves in the over by Amla, not very often does Cummins bowl that outside the off stump. Maybe the boundary on the first ball was playing on his mind. He was maybe too cautious about drifting it on the pads of Amla which is his strong zone.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Closer to the off pole this time. Amla is rock solid in defense.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. On a length outside off, Amla once again makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Fuller outside off, Amla makes a leave.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. On a length around off, kept out.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Any young kid out there wanting to learn how to play a pull shot, Amla provides a perfect example. Cummins bowls it short on middle, Amla rocks back, gets on top of the bounce, rolls his wrists around it and pulls it through square leg all along the ground for a boundary. 98 is the lead now.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. On a length outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. FOUR! That should release the pressure! Just five had come in the last 22 balls. Hazlewood bowls it a touch fuller outside off, Markram gets enough width to drive it through covers for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. A bumper on middle, Markram ducks under it. This is good tight bowling by Australia.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Fuller on off, driven to mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Shortish on off, Markram gets on top of the bounce and guides it to point.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Lands it on a length outside off, left alone.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Fuller on off, Amla plants his front foot forward and drives it to the man at mid off. So Amla is finding the middle of the bat but not the gaps.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. On a length around off, Amla blocks it.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Outside off, this time. One of the rare occasions in an over where Cummins does not make the batsman play as Amla leaves it.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Works it with the angle towards wide mid on for a run.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on off, Markram keeps it out.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Down the leg side, Amla works it around the corner for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on off, Markram plays it off the middle of the bat to the man at covers.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Fullish in length outside off, Markram leaves it.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Errs in line and angles it on the pads. Markram clips it through mid-wicket. The fielder from deep mid-wicket makes good ground to his left and saves a couple for his side.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on off, Markram pushes it to the man at point.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. A short ball aimed at the body of the batsman. Markram ducks under it.
Drinks! So Australia have got the wicket of the gritty Elgar but they still are behind in the game. The lead is close to the 100-run mark. They need a few quick wickets after the drinks break, whereas, the South Africans will hope that the two out there play for as long as possible.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Top shot but for no runs again! Fuller on middle, Amla eases it back towards the bowler. Cummins does well to go down and stop it. It would have been a certain boundary had the bowler not stopped it.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. A bumper to follow up the length ball. Trying to catch the batsman by surprise. Amla though ducks under it.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Edged but short! On a length around off, it zips off the surface. Amla tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to Steven Smith at second slip. He played that with soft hands, had he gone hard at it, it would have been a second for Cummins.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. On a length around off, Amla defends it solidly.
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Good running! Markram taps this length ball towards cover and completes a quick run.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Good shot but for no runs! Fuller outside off, Amla square drives it on the off side but the fielder at point makes a good stop.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Closer to the off stump this time. Amla makes a solid defense.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Just ahead of a length outside off, Amla does not fiddle with it. The ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Full and wide outside off, the sucker ball. Wanting Amla to go for a drive but the veteran has played enough cricket to realize that and makes a leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. Outside off again, Amla leaves it.
Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla. On a length around off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood is back into the attack. The main reason for him being brought on is Amla, one feels Josh has got the bearded man's number. He has got him out 7 times in Tests. Can he get him out for the 8th time?
Pat Cummins to Aiden Markram. Beauty! Cummins angles this one around off and gets it to seam away a shade. Markram tries playing straight with no feet and gets beaten. Fine over by Pat!
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Angling into the batsman, it's played out with soft hands to mid-wicket for one.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Good length delivery outside off, it's left alone.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Pat Cummins to Hashim Amla. A length ball on middle, Amla works it off his pads but finds square leg.
Hashim Amla is the number three batsman.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. OUT! Elgar departs and it's a big breakthrough! We all know how stubborn he can prove to be with his stay in the middle. Cummins serves it wide outside off, on a length, Elgar usually leaves those not in his range but this time he attempts to drive away from his body. No footwork whatsoever and he gets a thick outside edge to Steven Smith at second slip. He reverse-cups it safely and Cummins runs in joy. Not the ideal length to drive and he has paid a big price for it. Also, this is the sixth catch for Steven Smith in this Test match, all he has taken in the slips. The record for an Australian is 7 catches by Greg Chappell and Matthew Hayden. Smithy seems to be on course to break that record. South Africa lead by 84 runs.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under it.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. A yorker again but the line is wrong as it is outside off, Markram jams it out.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. This was wider outside off, would have been called a wide in a one day game. Markram does not go chasing after it and does the smart thing by leaving it.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Wide outside off, left alone.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Sharp work from Bancroft! The best thing about him is he stands his ground no matter what shot the batsman is playing. Fuller on leg stump, Markram flicks it towards him at short leg. He collects it cleanly and scores a direct hit at the striker's end but Aiden is in his crease.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Fuller on off, Elgar mistimes his drive back to the bowler.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Closer to the off pole, one thing about Cummins is he will make the batsman play and he does exactly that. Elgar defends it solidly.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. This turns out to be a good leave in the end! On a length around off, it comes in after pitching. Elgar plants his front foot forward and leaves it.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. FOUR! That was nicely played! Cummins bowls it a little too fuller than the last one and pays the price. He also offers width. Elgar leans into it, uses the pace and strokes it through covers for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Dean Elgar. Starts off with a length ball outside off, Elgar makes a leave.
Pat Cummins is into the attack. He was brilliant in the first innings and Australia would really hope he replicates his performance.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. A yorker but outside off, Markram jams it out towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Outside off, Aiden leaves it alone.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on middle, Markram works it to square leg.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. The ball is coming onto the bat really well. Starc lands it on a length around off, Markram defends it towards point,
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Short ball on middle, Markram ducks under it.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Fuller on off, Markram goes towards the pitch of the ball and strokes it towards mid off.
The hammer is out! Starc must be having some problems with the landing area. That part is being hammered to level it up. Meanwhile, Kepler Wessels and Brendon Julian are on air and the latter asks should Australia have not used the heavy roller this morning? The Australian great responds that he is not quite sure as now heavy rollers are used twice in a space of 30 minutes which has flattened out the surface. Fair point. Yesterday, South Africa didn't opt for any roller with only two wickets left. Have the tourists missed a trick? Or maybe they thought the pitch will break and assist Nathan Lyon. The game of cricket is not only about bat and ball, all these also come into consideration.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Edged but runs! Playing this with soft hands was the key! On a length around off, it shapes away a touch. Markram lunges forward in defense but the ball takes the outside edge and goes through backward point and gully.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Similar length to the one that beats the outside edge but no movement this time. Markram defends it easily.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Back of a length on off, Markram defends it solidly. This was a touch shorter than the last one and hence Markram was sure about playing it on the back foot.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. PEACH! How do you play those? Markram has done really well not to edge that. Hazlewood lands it on a length around off, it comes in with the angle first and the leaves him after pitching. Markram tries to defend by staying rooted in the crease but gets beaten.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. On a length around off, Markram defends it.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Second bouncer of the over, this one to end it. Elgar evades it.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. A bumper and Elgar ducks under it.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. On the pads again, Starc has to adjust as there is no swing. Elgar flicks it through mid-wicket. No boundary this time but he runs two.
Ohkay! Now then, that's not a pleasing sight. One side of the ground is enveloped by dark clouds and the other is nice and bright. Now I am not sure whether the clouds are coming or going but let us hope they are going away. My colleague Prakash feels that the cloud is making his way into the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. FOUR! Goes for the magic delivery which swings from the leg to the off pole. But does not get it to swing. It ends up being a half-volley on leg stump. Elgar flicks it through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.
Mitchell Starc to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on middle, Elgar defends it onto the ground.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Down the leg side, Elgar helps it towards the on side for a run.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. A defensive shot, gives runs! We saw this shot being played by Elgar a lot of times in the first innings and now Markram does it. Not very full on middle, Markram just offers a defensive push straight back past the bowler. The bats are so good these days that it races off the turf. Cummins from mid off gives it a chase and he seems to have pulled it back in. They go upstairs to check and he has done well. Saves a run for his side.
Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram. Good length outside off, left alone.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Streaky runs! Hazlewood shapes the ball into the batsman on a fuller length. Elgar first looks to flick but then adjusts to play it with a straight bat. It takes the outside edge and goes into the gap through gully and backward point for three.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. On a length around off, Elgar is half forward as he defends it.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. A quick bouncer outside off, Markram evades it.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Top shot! A half-volley on off, but it still has to be put away. Markram plants his front foot ahead and strokes it through covers. Once it goes into the gap there is no stopping it. Michael Holding on air mentions that this time he takes his front foot towards the ball, whereas the one he edged there was no foot movement. Very good observation from the West Indian legend.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. On the thigh pad, Markram works it towards square leg.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Pulls his length back this time on middle, Markram does really well to rock back and defend it onto the ground.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Good pace and bounce there! A real effort delivery by the left arm pacer. He lands it on a length around off, the line he should be bowling. Markram does not fiddle with it. Paine behind the stumps takes it above his head.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Once again on the leg side. Starc has lost his radar a bit after the dropped catch. Markram tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Back of a length on off, Elgar is rock solid in defense. A maiden by Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. A bumper which did create a few problems for Elgar in the first innings but this time he ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Changes his angle as there is no assistance and comes around. Lands it on a length around off, Elgar blocks it.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Angles it away from the southpaw who makes another leave.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Closer to the off pole this time but no swing for Josh. Elgar easily keeps it out.
Josh Hazlewood to Dean Elgar. Starts off with a length ball outside off, Elgar makes a leave.
Josh Hazlewood will bowl from the other end.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Wide outside off this time, two wayward deliveries to end. Markram leaves it. End of an action-packed first over.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. FOUR! He is off a pair! Poor ball by Starc down the leg side, Markram won't miss out there. He flicks it fine and the ball races to the fine leg fence.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. DROPPED! Markram almost got dismissed for a pair! A tough chance but you have seen these been taken. Fuller in length again on off, it slants away from the batsman this time. Aiden goes for the drive through the off side but it takes the edge and flies towards gully. Khawaja there dives to his left, sticks one hand out but can't hang on. Starc is disappointed as he feels Usman could have done better. Nevertheless, if you look at it in a positive way, Khawaja saved a certain boundary there.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Once again no swing into the batsman from a fuller length. Markram tries to work it on the leg side but closes the bat face a little early. It takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to gully.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Swing this time! Fuller again on off, shapes back in late. Markram maybe first thought of leaving it but due to the tail back in. He goes for the drive with no footwork and his bat comes down late. It goes off the bottom edge and on the bounce towards Paine who makes a good stop diving to his right.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Starc who will bowl the first over comes running and bowls it on a fullish length outside off. He wanted the ball to shape back in but there is no swing. Markram makes a watchful leave.
Right then, this Test match has ended but it has left us with many scarring memories. Australian cricket is in the doldrums and the coming days are going to be really tough for them. How they will come out of this remains to be seen. There isn't much gap between this Test and the fourth one. It starts on the 30th of March in Johannesburg. South Africa will be eyeing their first Test series win against Australia at home since 1970. Will be a great contest, hopefully. Do join us at 1000 local (0800 GMT) for all the action. Until then, goodbye and cheers. Play fair in life, folks!
South African skipper, Faf du Plessis, says it was a power-packed performance as they took 10 wickets for 50 runs. Reckons it was a matter of one or two wickets before they can run through the batting line-up. Mentions the nature of the Tests have been such that there are runs for the first 30-40 overs but once the ball starts reversing, the wickets start to come. Credits the way Morkel and Maharaj bowled. He says the boys were very motivated especially after the loss in the first Test. Ends by saying they will come out all guns blazing in the last game and try and put the pressure on the Aussies.
Man of the Match, Morne Morkel, says it is an amazing moment for him. Admits he gave his all and is very happy with his performance. States he kept working on his fitness and delivered the goods. Ends by saying he is delighted to enter the 300-wicket club.
Australia's stand-in skipper, Tim Paine, says it has been a horrible 24 hours for them. Adds that he would like to take this opportunity and apologize to their fans. Admits the last session was really bad for them as they were very disappointing with the bat. Reckons they did have their chances but could never come on top. He believes they have enough time to put everything behind and come fighting in the next game.
Chasing 430, the Australian openers weathered the storm against the new ball and provided a fine start. But a moment of brilliance by Faf du Plessis after the tea break opened the floodgates. His direct hit removed Cameron Bancroft and from thereon, it was a great fall for Australia. From 57/0 to 107 all out, it has to be one of the worst collapses ever in their cricketing history. Morne Morkel with match figures of 9/110 utilized the conditions and his height to generate good bounce and posed a serious threat in both innings.
Returning to cricket again, it was a subdued morning today. Tim Paine led Australia to the park but their energy was visibly very low as they went through the motions. South Africa sensed the opportunity and seized it. They capitalized on some ordinary bowling and went on to set a mammoth target for the Aussies. Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon took three wickets apiece and the off spinner also completed 300 Test wickets in the process (earlier in this Test Morkel also achieved a similar feat).
Over to Day 3! Once again the Proteas enjoyed a good outing where they gained a 56-run lead and then batted with a lot of purpose. Aiden Markram and AB de Villiers showed their class and they looked set to run away with the game. Then came the controversial moment where Cameron Bancroft was caught on the cameras tampering with the ball. Later he admitted it and skipper Steven Smith went on to say in the press conference that their leadership was aware of this plan. For this, he has been banned for a Test match by the ICC along with losing 100 percent of his match fee. Though the real culprit gets away from any ban, he loses 75 percent of his match fee and bags three demerit points.
Let's talk about the game first and not the controversy. It was turning out to be one heck of a Test match. On the first day, Dean Elgar and company delivered with the bat but then Pat Cummins' deadly spell brought the visiting team back in the contest. The script remained the same on Day 2 where the home team once again enjoyed a couple of sessions only to get frustrated by the 9th wicket partnership between Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon. Courtesy that, the game nearly remained in balance with South Africa having their noses slightly in front.
All over! South Africa have taken an unassailable lead in the 4-match Test series. Smiles all around in the Protea camp. Now, the Australian players step out of their dressing room and are congratulating the home team. Morne Morkel who is on the last pit stop of his career is leading his team off the park. Tremendous effort from the big man, take a bow! This is also the second biggest win for South Africa against Australia in Tests (by runs) and they deserve every bit of this success.
Morne Morkel to Josh Hazlewood. OUT! Morkel gets a fifer, his 8th fifer in Tests! He finishes with 9 wickets in the match. Bangs it in short on middle, Hazlewood attempts the upper cut one more time. They have a man for him at fly slip and he falls into the trap this time. He hits it towards him. Philander there runs across, comes a little forward and then takes the catch going down on his knees. The South Africans are up and running in celebration as they have WON BY 322 RUNS!
Morne Morkel to Josh Hazlewood. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Josh Hazlewood. FOUR BYES! Short and this one takes off the surface. Josh goes for the upper cut but misses. The keeper behind the stumps can't stop it and it goes down and into the fence yet again.
Morne Morkel to Josh Hazlewood. FOUR! Up and over! Short ball outside off, Hazlewood goes for the upper cut. There is a fly slip for him as he played this shot a lot in the first innings. He though plays it away from that fielder and finds the fence.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. FOUR! Paine wanted a run but he gets a boundary. He though won't be happy about it. Goes down on one knee and plays the paddle sweep. He gets a good meat of bat on it and it races away to the fine leg fence.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. CLOSE SHAVE! Flatter and outside off, it comes in with the arm. Paine goes for the cut but is beaten in flight as the ball goes agonizingly close past the off pole.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Floats it up on middle, driven back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. NOT OUT! Yes, it has pitched outside leg. Good use of the review by Paine. He survives to fight on. Maharaj tosses it up around leg, it turns away towards off after landing. Paine tries to flick but is beaten by the spin. It hits his back pad and the players appeal. The umpire raises his finger. Paine reviews. Time for the replays and the Hawk Eye shows it to be pitching well outside leg.
Have South Africa won it? Paine has been given out LBW but he reviews straightaway. Pitching might be an issue there.
Keshav Maharaj to Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood gets a single from the first ball! Maharaj tosses it up outside off, Josh goes for the slog sweep but mistimes it towards long on for a run.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Short and wide outside off, Paine goes for the cut but misses.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Good length on off, Paine defends it solidly.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fuller on middle, worked across the line towards mid-wicket.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Back of a length on off, Paine guides it to gully.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. On a length around off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. On the pads, worked around the corner but does not take the run.
Keshav Maharaj to Josh Hazlewood. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Josh Hazlewood walks out to the middle. He is the last man for Australia.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. OUT! No, the dive has not saved Lyon! Nathan just like Holder in the World Cup qualifier final earlier in the day bags a diamond duck. Maharaj floats it up on off, Paine taps it towards covers and calls for a quick run as he wanted to keep strike. They go for it and Bavuma at covers it quick to the ball. He fires a throw to the keeper who whips the bails off. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. The South African fielders were not looking too confident but the replays roll in and it shows the dive has not saved Lyon. The evening keeps on getting better for the Proteas, just one wicket away now.
A run out appeal against Lyon and they have taken it upstairs. The South Africans are not confident. The dive must have saved Lyon.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Slower through the air on off, Paine lunges forward and defends it.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Very full on off, hit back to the bowler.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Tosses it up on middle, eases it to mid on.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. Full on the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon is the next man in.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. OUT! The short ball does the trick and Morkel is breathing fire out there. He has got his fourth. This was coming, to be honest. A bumper, a well-directed one. Starc tries to keep it out but the ball hits the gloves and lobs up to Markram at short leg who takes an easy catch. Starc himself has done this to many batsmen and it's the case of getting a taste of his own medicine. Two wickets away now South Africa.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. Morkel goes short again but Starc is right behind the line of the delivery and blocks it out.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. BOOM! Right on the helmet! Short and aimed at the helmet! Starc goes for the pull but misses. The ball hits him on the helmet and falls beside the pitch. Good gesture by Morkel as he walks up to him and asks whether he is okay. Starc says he is fine, he takes his helmet off. The physio is out and Starc is seen sipping a bottle of water.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. In the air... but no fielder can get to it. Short again on middle, Starc tries to defend it but it hits the top of the handle and lobs on the pitch. Markram from short leg dives full stretch but can't get to it.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. BEAUTY! On a length outside off, it straightens after pitching. Starc tries to defend but gets beaten.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. Full and outside off, Starc hits it back past the bowler. Some good fielding ensures the batsmen only run two.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Starc. Floats it up on off, it turns back in sharply. Starc tries to defend it but the ball goes off the inner half, past the short leg fielder and towards square leg for a run.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Starc. Fires it on off, Starc keeps it out.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Starc. Tosses it up on off, driven towards covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Starc. Flatter on off, kept out off the back foot.
Keshav Maharaj to Tim Paine. A chance of a run out but no harm done! Maharaj tosses it up on middle, Paine drives it towards mid on and sets off for a run. Rabada there is quick to the ball but fires a wild throw at the non-striker's end. A single completed.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. Short again, Starc tries to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto his body.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Starc. FOUR! No hat-trick but runs off it. Full and on off, Starc leans into it and drives it uppishly but away from the fielder at mid off for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc comes out to the middle. He will be facing the hat-trick ball. The second bowler today to be on a hat-trick.
Morne Morkel to Pat Cummins. OUT! Up goes the index finger. The original decision stands and a mighty roar goes around the stadium. Two-in-two for Morkel! Touch and go call, and there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field call. South Africa are now just three wickets away. Cummins gets an absolute snorter first up. A bumper aimed right at the head of the batsman. Cummins tries to fend at it by taking his eyes off the ball. The ball seems to have taken the gloves and it lobs into the hands of Elgar at gully. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Cummins straightaway reviews. Time for the replays which at first show it to be hitting the lower part of the arm guard. But on zooming, it's brought to our attention that the ball might have been touching the wristband which was hiding under the arm guard. A very close call and this much evidence the third umpire felt was enough to stay with the onfield decision. Cummins has been given the marching orders and the end is nigh for Australia.
Cummins has been given out caught but he reviews straightaway. He has reviewed so immediately that it gives you a feeling he has not edged it or gloved it. The South Africans are already celebrating though. Lets' see...
Pat Cummins makes his way out to the middle.
Morne Morkel to Mitchell Marsh. OUT! Another one bites the dust! South Africa can sniff a victory today. Morkel gets another. He bangs a short ball around off, the ball just does not arrive. Marsh is early into the pull shot and it goes off the toe end towards AB de Villiers who moves swiftly from third slip and takes a good catch diving forward. The home side is ecstatic and they need only 4 wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. A dipping full toss on the pads, Marsh flicks it fine towards fine leg. There is no fielder there and poor Morne Morkel who just bowled an over has to run behind the ball from square leg. He does well and saves a run for his side.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Gives it air on off, turning away. Marsh lunges forward to keep it out but the ball takes the edge and goes to backward point.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Slower through the air on off, Marsh plants his front foot forward and guides it to point.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. A loopy ball on off, Marsh drives it towards covers who makes a good stop.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fullish outside off, Paine need not play at those.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Fuller on off, Paine times it to the man at short covers.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Outside off, the batsman leaves it.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. That is a fine, fine delivery! Pretty much unplayable! On a length and angling into the batsman. Paine lunges forward to defend it but is beaten by the away swing.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Hits the length hard on off, Paine rocks back and solidly defends it.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Lands it on a length around off, Paine keeps it out off the back foot.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Good stop! Shorter and quicker on off, Marsh rocks back and slices it towards short third man. Philander there dives to his left and stops it. Saved a certain boundary there.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Not such a great delivery, short and outside off, Marsh goes back and punches it to the man at covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Tosses it up on off, Marsh keeps it out.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! Good shot! Floats it around off, it turns away slightly. Marsh plants his front foot ahead and square drives it through the off side for a boundary.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Tossed up on off, driven to the man at covers.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. On a good length outside off, another leave made by Tim Paine to end a successful over.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. Good length delivery outside off, shaping away, Tim shoulders arms.
Morne Morkel to Tim Paine. FOUR! Gets off the mark first ball. Receives a short ball targeted at him, he though has taken his eyes off the ball, still manages to time and place his pull shot superbly. It races through square leg and finds the fence.
The acting skipper Tim Paine makes his way out in the middle.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. OUT! Morkel has got Smith again and is all smiles! Almost the replica of his dismissal in the first innings. He delivers a back of a length ball outside off, Smith camps back to punch it through the line but does so off the outside edge. It flies straight to Elgar at gully who makes no mistake. The umpire asks him to wait as he wants to check for the no ball but Morkel is fine with his landing, the replays show. Steven Smith returns with his head down and the crowd booing him. Australia have now lost half their side and are staring down the barrel. Can South Africa earn a win today itself?
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. Fuller and around off, driven through the line but straight to the cover fielder.
Morne Morkel to Steven Smith. Starts the spell with a good length ball outside off, Smith allows it through.
Morne Morkel returns in the attack, replacing Rabada. He dismissed Steven Smith in the first innings and would be looking to remove him yet again.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Good pace from Maharaj, this one is nicely flighted at 82 kph and lands full around middle, Marsh defends towards covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Leans forward to a full ball and defends it to the off side.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! That's a good shot! Short and around off, Marsh rocks back to make room and hammers it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. It's important to put the bad balls away to avoid building unnecessary pressure.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Arm ball around off, skidding back in, Marsh goes on the back foot and defends it to the off side.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Loopy and around off, spinning away, Marsh once again drives it straight to covers.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Floated full ball on off, Marsh gets forward and pushes it with an angled bat to covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. On a length outside off, Smith strides forward to cover the stumps and leaves it alone.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. SIX! A top edge and it has gone all the way for a biggie. Rabada pitches it short and just outside off, Smith this time decides to wheel a pull shot but fails to control it. It flies behind the keeper and clears the rope too. A risky shot as he had to fetch it from outside off.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Goes wider of the crease and lands it on a length outside off, Smith is content in letting it go.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Another delivery in the channel outside off, it's been left alone with ease. For the moment, he is too wide from the batsman, needs to make Smith play.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Shortish and outside off, Smith allows it through.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Way wide outside off, almost as if the bowler lost control, Smith though keeps his composure and allows it through.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Leans forward to defend but it takes a little outside edge and rolls on the off side.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! Finds the gap this time. Flighted and full around off, Marsh nicely gets forward and drills it through covers for a cracking boundary. This will ease some nerves.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Too full and around off, driven through the line but straight to the cover fielder.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. An arm ball, not read by Marsh. He gets forward and then leaves it alone only to find it going very closely past the off stump.
Keshav Maharaj to Steven Smith. Loopy and full, around off, Smith gets forward and drives it back past the diving bowler. Morkel gets across to his right from mid off to stop the ball and they rotate the strike in the meantime.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Flighted and full around off, it's driven down to mid off and the fielder is a bit deep. They take a quick single.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Shortish and around off, jagging back in, Smith goes on the back foot and blocks it safely.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Keeping it wide outside off and Smith has no intentions to play those.
Rabada speeds in but before hitting his delivery stride he loses the ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Back of a length delivery outside off, left alone.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Another delivery in the channel outside off, Smith has nothing to do with it.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Good length delivery in the zone outside off, Smith covers the line and leaves it alone.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Another forward defense offered by Mitchell to end a very successful over, a double-wicket maiden.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Full flighted ball on off, defended back off the front foot.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh. No hat-trick! Flatter full ball on off, Marsh defends it back watchfully.
Mitchell Marsh replaces his elder brother and will face the hat-trick ball. Two slips, a short leg and silly point in place. The crowd is very much involved now.
Keshav Maharaj to Shaun Marsh. OUT! What is happening out there! Crazy scenes. Two in two for Keshav Maharaj as Marsh departs for a golden duck. Another tossed up ball landing outside off, 85 kph, it spins and bounces back into the left-hander as Marsh goes inside the crease to defend. But it shoots up to kiss his gloves and lobs towards short leg. Markram positioned there reacts quickly to his right and dives to take a terrific catch. In a matter of minutes, Australia have lost four wickets.
Shaun Marsh walks in next.
Keshav Maharaj to Usman Khawaja. OUT! It's a procession now... Maharaj among the wickets and Khawaja's sorry technique against the spinners once again gets exposed. A loopy full ball landing outside off, turning back in a hint, Usman commits himself forward in defense but it takes the outside edge and flies behind. AB de Villiers comes up with another sharp catch at first slip, good reflexes and he straightaway runs in joy. Australia need 371 runs for a win but the figure which looks more likely to achieve is 7 wickets for South Africa.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Big movement back into the batsman from a good length outside off, Smith offers no shot and takes it on the thigh pad. A wicket maiden!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Shortish on off, defended solidly.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Bouncer this time, not testing the batsman enough. An easy leave for Steven and de Kock jumps to collect the ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. On a good length outside off, Smith plays inside the line, soft hands and the edge doesn't carry to the slip region.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Lands it on a length around off, angling in sharply, Smith stays back and defends it.
Skipper Steven Smith walks in next, amidst boos, as expected.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. OUT! This is a big one! Rabada has picked up a huge wicket now, good catch by AB de Villiers. South Africa are absolutely delighted. He really has looked lethal in this spell. This is now the fourth time in the series that Rabada has dismissed Warner. He angles across a short of a length delivery outside off, the southpaw opens the face of the bat in an attempt to find the gap between backward point and gully but fails to keep it down. To his bad luck, it has gone straight towards AB de Villiers at gully where he goes down low to catch it. AB straightaway points at the bowler. Maybe, that was a plan. They set up Warner. He was playing that shot quite well until now and South Africa played on his strength to get rid of him. Job well done.
Keshav Maharaj to Usman Khawaja. Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. End of an exciting over.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Tossed up ball on off, spinning in, it's defended on the leg side.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Oohhh...this one has beaten the outside edge. Warner leans forward to defend, thinking it will spin back into him but it skids through to beat the outside edge. Once again de Kock fumbles while collecting the ball.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Stumping chance missed? Yup, it is. Although a tough one because of the deflection. Warner comes charging down the track to a flighted ball, tries swinging his bat at it but misses. It brushes his pads and goes behind. Quinton de Kock fails to collect it first time and then tries to flick it onto the stumps in the second go. Misses the stumps but by then Davey was well in. Surely a chance has gone begging.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. This one is wide outside off and it's an easy leave for Khawaja.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. One more brave leave by the southpaw. Too close to the off stump as he passes. Probing lines by Rabada.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Good leave. A length around off, angling away, Khawaja knows his off stumps and makes the leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Strange way to defend it. Extra bounce around off, Khawaja is unsure as he stays back to defend. But then he tries removing his bat. Fails to do so in time and it hits the middle of his willow.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Shortish around off, played down towards mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja. Good length delivery on middle and off, it's defended off the back foot.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Once again helped on the leg side but straight to the fielder. End of a successful over for South Africa.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Tossed up ball on off, worked with the spin to mid-wicket.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Warner has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Keshav Maharaj to Usman Khawaja. Goes on the back foot and works it with the spin to mid-wicket for a run.
Usman Khawaja is the new batsman.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. OUT! Well short of the crease! The crowd roars and then boos for Bancroft. Finally, South Africa have managed to get a breakthrough and it's their skipper who has provided them that. A flighted full ball outside off, Warner advances down the track and drives it to the right of the cover fielder. He wants the single but his partner is a bit hesitant in taking off. That extra second seems to have cost him his wicket. Also, the brilliance of du Plessis. The way he attacked the ball and scored a direct hit was just outstanding. Credit to de Kock as well, as he didn't collect the throw and allows it through his gloves, judging it well that it's heading towards the stumps. The ball meets the wickets, they appeal and the square leg umpire goes upstairs. Just one replay is enough to rule Cameron out. Australia lose their first wicket.
Bull's eye by Faf du Plessis. Cameron Bancroft is in danger here. The South Africans are celebrating. They are looking very sure. The square leg umpire has gone upstairs. Let's find out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. A rising delivery from a length around middle and leg, Bancroft gets back and taps it down safely on the leg side.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. A length ball angling into the batsman, Bancroft covers the line and blocks it to the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Excellent delivery. On back of a length outside off and shaping away, Bancroft stands back to play at it but gets beaten. Good pace, good energy shown by KG!
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Bouncer to keep the batsman on the back foot, Bancroft ducks.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Once again Bancroft pushes inside the line and gets a little bit of an outside edge. Not carrying to gully.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Straightening from the pitch, around off, Bancroft pushes at it indecisively and misses.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. FOUR! Drilled away! Use of the feet again by Warner to cut down the spin and then he drills it right through the gap at covers for a boundary. He tried to do that twice earlier in the over but didn't succeed.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Spinning in from around off, Warner defends it by getting forward.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Uppish but short! Loopy full ball outside off, Warner drives it through the line, a bit of a mishit and it nearly carries to the fielder at covers. Faf is the one standing and his dive wasn't enough.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. A little bit of shimmy down the track by Warner as he tries to defend. Fails to put bat on ball and they appeal. Nothing from the umpire.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Flighted and turning in, Warner defends it off his front foot.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Tossed up delivery wide outside off, Warner reaches out for it and drives it to covers, not in the gap.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Shortish and outside off, Bancroft leaves it at the last moment.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Another delivery angling into the batsman, Bancroft plays it down square of the wicket on the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Fortunate boundary for Bancroft! A full length ball tailing back into the batsman from outside off, Bancroft tries to drive it through the line but gets a thick inside edge past the stumps and keeper for a boundary at fine leg. 50 up for Australia!
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Beaten! That's more like it. Rabada hurls it on a back of a length just around off, zipping off the surface, Bancroft is forced to play at it and he gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Starts with a fuller length ball angled into the batsman, Bancroft leans forward and across to flick it towards mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to operate from the other end.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Uses his feet on this occasion to smother the spin and pushes it right back to the bowler. Good over by Maharaj!
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Loopy and outside off, Warner strides forward and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Drags his length back this time and Warner immediately gets back with the pull shot. Hits it over mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Goes on the back foot and helps it with the spin to mid-wicket, finds the fielder.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. Spinning back in from around off, Warner defends it much better this time, from the middle of the bat.
Keshav Maharaj to David Warner. With a slip and short leg in place, Maharaj starts with a flighted full ball around off, turning in a bit, Warner gets forward to defend and gets it away from the inner half of the bat.
All in readiness for the last session. 35 overs left in the day's play and the players are making their way out. So far, so good from the Aussies but they have a longgggg way to go. South Africa are beginning with the spin of Keshav Maharaj. Interesting move. He was below par in the last innings, let's see how he fares this time...
...DAY 4, THIRD SESSION...
So after a sluggish effort in the field by Australia, they have come out fighting with the bat. After bundling out South Africa quickly in the second session, they had to bat out an hour before the Tea break with a target of 430. Warner and Bancroft survived the testing spells from Philander and Rabada in which they copped a few blows. But once they were through that, they found it easy to score and head wicket-less into the break. However, it is still an uphill task for them, they will look to set short goals and take one session at a time. Join us for the third and the final session of the day in a while.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. PEACH! Lovely delivery to bowl on the last ball before Tea! On a length around off, it shapes away after pitching. Cameron tries to defend but gets beaten.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Wide outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. Times it beautifully! Length ball on off, Warner punches it through the off side. It beats the diving cover fielder but Bavuma from mid off gives it a chase and saves a run.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. On a length around off, Warner lunges forward and defends it confidently.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. On a length around middle, Warner pushes it back towards the bowler.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. Back of a length, bowled at the stumps. Warner defends it solidly.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Full and wide outside off, the batsman shoulders his arms to it.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Outside off, left alone.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Back of a length on off, Warner punches it through the off side. Elgar gives it a chase and saves a run for his team.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Outside the off stump, Warner makes a leave.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Length ball on off, Warner keeps it out.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Down the leg side, Bancroft misses the flick and the ball goes into the hands of the keeper. It should be Tea but due to the loss of overs yesterday they have extended 10 minutes in this session.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Outside edge beaten! How many times have we seen this till now? On a length around off, it first angles in but then leaves the batsman after pitching. Cameron tries to defend but gets beaten.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. This time he times it even better than the last shot but only gets two. Fuller and outside off. Bancroft strokes it through covers for a brace.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around off, kept out.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Nicely timed! Fuller on off, Cameron lunges forward and times it through covers. He has not hit it well enough to get a boundary but does get two. He moves onto 20.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Shorter in length outside off, Cameron plays inside the line and lets it go.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. BEAUTY to end the over! On a length around off, shapes away from the batsman. Warner plays inside the line and gets beaten.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Another edge but well short! On a length around off, it shapes away. Warner tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to third slip.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Back of a length on off, pushed towards cover.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. FOUR! Almost the same region, not the same shot though! This was off the back foot to a ball which is slightly shorter outside off. Warner guides it past the fielder diving at backward point and the ball races away. Back-to-back boundaries. 393 more needed.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. FOUR! Welcome back Philander! On a length outside off, Warner uses the pace, opens the face of the bat and guides it down towards the third man fence for a boundary.
Vernon Philander is back on.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Well left again! Watchful by Cameron. On a length outside off, he could have cut it but leaves it alone.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Behind a length outside off, Cameron leaves it alone. Good carry towards the keeper as he takes it above his head.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length on off, Bancroft defends it onto the ground.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. That came back in too! There are some deliveries which are misbehaving! On a length around off, it comes back in. Cameron misses as he tries to flick and is hit near the box.
Morne Morkel to Cameron Bancroft. On a length outside off, left alone.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Back of a length on off, defended.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Top shot! A short ball on middle, Warner this time picks it up over the mid-wicket region and the ball races away.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Got this one right! On a length around off, makes good use of the angle as he slants it across. Warner tries to defend but gets beaten.
Misses his run up again, third time in this over.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Short on middle, the commentator on air feels he missed his run up again. Cameron drops it towards mid-wicket for a quick run.
Rabada misses his run up and pulls out for the second time in succession.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Bowls it from wide of the crease and lands it on middle, it jags back in. Warner gets an inside edge which hits his pad and lobs towards square leg for a run. Once again had there been a short leg, it would have been a sitter for him. Rabada should be asking for one as he is getting the ball to come back in.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Shorter in length on middle, Cameron nudges it towards square leg for a run.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. Length on off, defended. End of a good first over by Morkel, created a chance but it was a tough one.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. Good length again on middle, kept out.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. Shorter in length and on the body of the batsman. Warner tries to nudge on the leg side but closes the face of the bat early. The ball takes a soft leading edge back towards the bowler.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. Back of a length on off, Warner defends it.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Morne Morkel to David Warner. Almost struck on his first ball! That was just out of the reach of the fielder at mid off. Morkel lands it on a length around off, it takes off after pitching. Was that due to the pitch or because of Morkel's height we do not know. However, Warner first goes for the drive but then tries to pull out of it. He is too late in doing so as the ball hits the middle and balloons towards extra cover. Markram there runs to his right, dives with a hand stretched out but can't get to it. Two taken by the batsmen.
Morne Morkel is into the attack.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. BEATEN! Goes wide of the crease and angles it into the batsman. Bancroft plays inside the line and gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Good length outside off stump, Cameron makes a leave.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Once again on the pads, Warner flicks it fine towards fine leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. On middle stump, Bancroft flicks it through square leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Down the leg side again, Cameron misses the flick. Had it been a one day game the umpire would have signaled a wide.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! Errs in line and bowls it on the pads, Bancroft likes it there as he flicks it fine down the leg side and the ball races away. 412 more needed.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. On a length around off, Warner keeps it out.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On the pads, worked towards fine leg for a run.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On middle, pushed towards mid on.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Loose very loose by Bancroft. This was bowled on a length outside off, it swung away further. Bancroft goes after it away from his body and gets beaten.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a length outside off, guided towards point.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. EDGED BUT WELL SHORT! On a length outside off, it shapes away. Bancroft tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce into the hands of ABD who dives in front from first slip to take it.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. A rash shot by Warner! Yes, it was short but it was outside off. Warner tries to drag his pull but misses.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Back of a length on middle, blocked.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. On a length around leg stump, Warner tries to work it on the leg side but is beaten by the outswing as the ball hits him high on the thigh pad.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Shorter in length on middle, kept out.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Back of a length on middle, defended.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Ends the over with another outswinger but Bancroft keeps it out.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Well bowled! On a length around off, it shapes away. Cameron is beaten as he tries to defend. This is how Philander set him up in the first innings away, away, away and then brought one back in. Be ready for it Cameron.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. Driven towards the mid off region.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On middle, worked through square leg for a brace.
There is a problem with the ball. Usage of another sandpaper? No, it is just the shape as the gauge is out. The umpires have termed it as fine and Philander will have to continue.
Vernon Philander to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around off, Bancroft keeps it out.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Fuller on off, Warner strokes it through covers. The ball races away through covers, not for a boundary but for three. First runs off Philander.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length delivery to end the over on off. Cameron defends it.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. FOUR! What a response! Somehow survived through the tough period and then gets a bad ball. A half-volley outside off. Bancroft makes the bowler pay as he drives this through covers and the ball races away.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. What bowling, what atmosphere and credit to the Australian batsman as they are also fighting it out. On a length around off, comes into the batsman. Bancroft tries to clip it on the leg side but misses to get hit near the box.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Now a bouncer! Varying his length nicely. Bancroft though ducks under it.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. BEATEN! This is just brilliant stuff from the two. The last ball came in and this leaves the batsman. On a length around off, it shapes away. Bancroft need not play at those but is drawn into the shot. Luckily for him he gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. OUCH! That will surely hurt! On a length around off, it jags back in. Bancroft tries to defend but the ball misses the inner half and hits him near the elbow. He is showing no pain but that must surely be hurting.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Oohh! A stinger to end the over! On the shorter side, shoots off the surface. Warner is hit on the gloves as he tries to defend. Another maiden by Philander.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Giving nothing away! Here, dot after dot after dot. On a length around off, kept out.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. This came back in now! This is the thing about Vernon, he can move the ball both ways and this is the reason he is so successful. On a length outside off, Warner makes a leave as the ball comes back in but not enough to hit the off pole.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. EXCELLENT DELIVERY! Can't do much with that! On a length around off, it shapes away after pitching. Warner lunges forward to defend but is beaten by the away swing.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Once again on a length around off, the ball bounces extra and hits Warner high on his bat as he tries to defend.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Back of a length on middle, nudged towards mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Fuller in length on off, Cameron blocks it out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length on off, Cameron defends it solidly.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. This shapes away after pitching! On a length outside off, goes away further. Bancroft plants his front foot ahead and leaves it.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around off, Bancroft makes a good leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Back of a length on off, Bancroft gets behind the line of the delivery and keeps it out.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Down the leg side, Cameron misses the flick.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. A dot to end, a maiden to start with by Philander. On middle, Warner works it to mid-wicket.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Excellent fielding! Warner drives the fuller length ball towards mid off. Markram there runs to his left, dives and makes an excellent stop. Warner had ran half way down the pitch but seeing the effort he had to turn and make his way back.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Right on the money again! On a length around off, Warner defends it solidly.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Once again hits the length hard on off, does not offer a lot of room. Something which is expected off Philander. Warner defends it towards mid off.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Fuller this time on off, Warner is solid in defense.
Vernon Philander to David Warner. Starts off with a length ball on off, Warner guides it towards point.
Vernon Philander will bowl from the other end.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Lands it on a length outside off, Bancroft guides it through backward point for a couple of runs. 4 from the first over, a good over by Rabada but it was well handled by Bancroft.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. On a length around off, defended.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Wide outside off, no swing this time. The batsman makes a leave.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. First runs for Australia and they have reduced two out from their target. On a length around off, it swings back in late. Bancroft tries to push it down the ground but gets an inside edge down towards fine leg for a brace. Had there been a bat pad that may have gone into his hands. There should be one as the ball is swinging in a long way.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. The pace is right up there from Rabada. On a length around middle, it jags back in after pitching. Cameron tries to flick but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad.
Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Bancroft. Right on the money! Rabada who opens the bowling comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it shapes back in a touch. Bancroft drives it to mid on.