- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Despite an improved bowling performance from an Australian side looking to restrict a rampant South Africa, the Proteas still hold the upper hand in the first Test.
After a much-improved performance with the ball to have South Africa 9/450, and with JP Duminy unable to bat, the Australians are 3/111 at stumps on day three.
Classy hundreds from Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis have made it seem that now, barring a miracle or at least a very strange set of circumstances indeed, South Africa are the only team that can win the game.
Australia need not be discouraged with a draw however. Such a result can surely only be determined by some strong performances by more than one player, and that will give the home side confidence against the current world number one for the rest of the series.
Australia came out with renewed purpose and control on the morning of the third day, bowling with an energy that was lacking on the first.
Having lost the entire second day to rain, they had to get wickets and get them in succession.
Hamla and Kallis, however, continued to bat well, each looking at ease in scoring well-deserved centuries.
Hamla (104) fell LBW to Siddle, a decision that, had it been challenged by the batsmen, would have been reversed. Perhaps Amla was content that he had done enough and to let someone else have a go.
AB De Villiers came to the wicket and took up where Amla left off, looking assured and confident in his play and capable of adding to the list of South African centurions.
Kallis (147) fell to a sharp catch from debutant Rob Quiney off the bowling of James Pattinson, the pick of Australia’s bowlers for the majority of the innings. When Pattinson then had De Villiers (40) caught by David Warner, the Aussies had their tails up.
South Africa, who surprised most by not declaring at tea, lost their last batsmen for 47 runs with Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Lyon all taking wickets
The Australians then lost early wickets in David Warner (4), Quiney (9) and Ponting for a duck, before an attacking Ed Cowan (49) and increasingly classy Michael Clarke (34) steadied the ship.
Dale Steyn had Warner caught at slip during a fine spell of fast bowling, while Morne Morkel came on first change, snaring Quiney and Ponting.
Cowan got on with the job, the left-hander wary of anything on a good length and punishing anything short. The Tasmanian hit eight boundaries in an innings that impressed.
Australian captain Clarke also looked in good touch, but both batsmen will have to do the lion’s share if Australia are going to avoid a South African victory. The Proteas are living up to their deserved billing as an extremely talented and professional team.
Should Australia bat well and the game is drawn, they can take heart from being able to fight back from such a precarious position. Should they bowl better in the next Test match, then hope for the series is definitely not lost.
The next couple of days may prove in hindsight to be the beginning of something special for Australia, because beating this South African team in a Test series is a special thing indeed.
Whatever happens, we should see some cracking cricket.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.