South Africa lead the Australians at the WACA by 388 runs and have four wickets in hand for the fourth day, after a dominant partnership between Dean Elgar and JP Duminy.
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Scores at stumps
Australia 244
South Africa 242 and 6/390
A brilliant return to form for South Africa on the second day of the test sees Australia desperately needing early wickets when play resumes on day three at Perth. Join The Roar for lives score and a blog of the third day of the test from 1:30pm (AEDT).
After Australia dominated the first day of the Perth test it seemed the best the South Africans could hope for on Day 2 would be to stay in the game. However, heading into the third morning of the test, it may actually be the visitors who hold the advantage, with South Africa leading by 102 runs with just two wickets down.
The main reason for the tourists having this advantage is because of the sort of collapse that has become all too familiar for the Australian side.
David Warner and Shaun Marsh had eaten well into South Africa’s lead, forming a 158 run opening partnership. However, Steyn’s dismissal of Warner signaled the beginning of Australia’s capitulation, with all 10 wickets tumbling for just 86 runs.
Vernon Philander may have been the main instigator with the ball, ending the innings with 4/56, but all the South Africans showed great discipline and resilience, with debutant Keshav Maharaj impressing with three wickets of his own.
Yet South Africa’s fine display with the ball was marred by one massive piece of bad luck, with Dale Steyn fracturing his shoulder mid-spell. Just five wickets short of becoming South Africa’s all-time leading wicket-taker, Steyn will likely be out for some months, and certainly for the remainder of the series.
With strong depth in pace bowlers, South Africa may be able to plug the considerable gap Steyn leaves in the long-term, but for this test they are now a bowler short.
Knowing this, the South Africans would have been forced to reevaluate what they considered a healthy lead. Though whatever they judged this to be, the early dismissals of Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla would have given them serious doubts of reaching it.
However, an unbeaten 59 run partnership from Dean Elgar and JP Duminy ensured South Africa ended the day in a good position at 2/104.
This leaves the game in a precarious state. The match has been punctuated by strong partnerships and significant collapses, suggesting that the pitch takes some time for batters to adapt when they first reach the crease.
It may well be that the team that settles first on day three wins the test. If the Australian bowlers quickly find their line and length, like the South Africans did on day two, the lively WACA pitch will likely reward the for their efforts.
However, the pace of the pitch, and indeed the pace of the outfield, means that a set batsmen can pick up boundaries without taking many risks.
Whichever team starts the stronger, it seems this will be yet another memorable test shared between these two nations. Be sure to join The Roar from 1:30pm (AEDT) to see how the third day unfolds.
Perry Bridge
Guest
And in suggesting Siddle - I know he's underdone too. However - Smith seemed to develop an over reliance on the Starc/Hazlewood combination and then the Siddle/Marsh combination. As it was Starc wasn't on song. And as it turned out Siddle finally got the breakthrough (even if he didn't realise it). The question is what will do more damage, the movement through the air or variability off the pitch. And I hear Smith's assertion that because they were getting reverse that they opted against Lyon pretty well most of the day - but gee, it didn't turn out well - lesson there to Mr.Smith.
Bobbo7
Guest
Australia have next to no chance of saving the Test. SA should get a lead of at least 420 and even without Steyn i doubt Australia will make 320
Bobbo7
Guest
Australia have next to no chance of saving the Test. SA should get a lead of at least 420 and even without Steyn i doubt Australia will make 320
Andy
Guest
I just cant see any Australian batsmen doing what Elgar and Duminy did, not hit at anything that they didnt have to or wanted to. I didnt watch the entire innings but the only time either of them did anything silly was Elgars mishit that Starc didnt catch. There were a few edges that went running away and on another day would have gone to hand but everything else was just smart old school test batting, knowing that they had tons of time and that the runs would come slowly without risk. It was really really nice to watch, especially from Elgar who never looked comfortable yet batted wonderfully. It was one of the best displays of test batting i have ever seen.
Jason Cave
Guest
Australia must take quick wickets on Day 4 and limit South Africa's lead to 400-420, which means they will have to improve on their batting in the first innings. A big plus for Australia is that Dale Steyn won't be there to bowl in Australia's second innings, seeing Steyn is out of cricket for the next 6 months. However, the Proteas do have a more than adequate replacement: Morne Morkel.
doogs
Guest
Totally Pedro. I was just thinking that before. Having De Kock coming in at 7 . Wow. I remember when we whitewashed England 5-0 and there were a few times we were 5 down for not a lot. Then Haddin and Co would come in and just smash it. Unfortunately players come and go and you can't have everything. Oh, and what about Gilchrist coming in at 7
doogs
Guest
I think it is 414 Pravesh. By SA
doogs
Guest
Could be experience. Let's hope he gets there
doogs
Guest
Thanks Klaus. Great effort. SA well on top. Australia had been excellent in the field, especially the first innings but Starc and Voges dropped a couple of high swirlers unfortunately. I will say that the media really built up the sledging coming into this match. They probably will continue to do so to keep their pulses up. But this Test seems to be played in great spirit. Also, even though the Aussies have current cause to be miserable, they still seem to be upbeat, which I am impressed with. I did not have an issue with Michael Clarke but it does seem their were factions within the team. It does not appear that way now, so maybe they can build on that. SA have a good side. Sorry for Steyn and his injury. Such an amazing record. But I was more worried about Philander in the second innings. If he drops it on a length it could be interesting.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Day three was defined by one partnership. That partnership was shared by the two centurions, Elgar and Duminy, who together built a 250 run partnership, more than either side managed in the first two innings. The two started the day together, with South Africa holding a slight advantage, but by the time Duminy fell, just before tea, South Africa were in a dominant position. Australia showed some resistance in the third innings, claiming three wickets in the final session, but it looks as though South Africa will comfortably finish with a lead over 400. That being said, Australia didn't bowl or field particularly poorly. This was reflected by the way the scoring rate never got out of hand. Peter Siddle was probably the best of the bowlers, though Mitchell Marsh also bowled a few very impressive skills. Perhaps most interesting was that Smith only gave Lyon 12 overs all day, despite Lyon having bowled well in the first innings. Regardless of whether Smith got his tactics right, Australia were thoroughly outplayed today, and are only hanging in this game by a thread. A good fourth day is a must.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
Sa in a Gr8 position.shud win it from here. Gr8 blog klaus!
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Nicely bowled from Siddle. That will also be the last over of the day. Well batted by Philander. SOUTH AFRICA 6/390 (126th OVER)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Almost a catching chance. Siddle is getting a few to jump off the pitch, and Philander nearly pushed that one to short cover.
Pravesh Madoo
Guest
What's the highest successful run chase at this ground in the 4th innings?
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
De Kock has gotten a single of the first ball of the over the last three overs.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
I agree. Maybe its just because he is less experienced, but I still think Smith is some way off Clarke tactically.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Not a bad over from Hazlewood, but this pair is batting with confidence. De Kock has been work the singles, giving Philander most the strike, but Philander has already found the boundary five times, playing with great timing. SOUTH AFRICA 6/389 (125th OVER)
Simon
Guest
You gotta miss Michael Clarke as captain. He was so good at preventing long partnerships, just bc he was always changing things up if the batsmen got settled
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Another fantastic shot from Philander. Hazlewood tried to bounce him but Philander placed his pull right in-between the two men in the deep, picking up four.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Hazlewood gets one to fly off the pitch. It was a good length ball that Philander came forwards to, but Nevill still took it about head height.