South Africa are just six wickets away from victory at the WACA, holding a massive 370-run advantage at stumps on Day 4.
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Score at end of day
Australia 244 and 4/169
South Africa 242 and 540 declared
Another dominant day by South Africa on Day 3 of the Test match sees them holding a strong position over their Australian rivals. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the fourth day of the first Test from 1:30pm (AEDT).
After a poor first innings with the bat, the South Africans showed their class on the third day to finish 6/390 at stumps, giving them a lead of 388 with two days still to play.
With the state of play poised evenly heading into the day, the South Africans seemed to grab the game by the scruff of the neck as they forced the Australian bowlers to toil all day in the hot Perth sun.
The key to the South Africans’ dominance on day three was a 250-run partnership between Dean Elgar and JP Duminy who made 127 and 141 respectively.
Despite the tough day, Peter Siddle was at his economical best as he finished with 2/47 off 22 overs at stumps, while Josh Hazlewood is the only other multiple wicket-taker so far with 2/97.
With two whole days still to play, don’t expect the South Africans to rush things early on Day 4 as Vernon Philander and Quinton de Kock will look to take full advantage of the conditions and get themselves set and then get their team’s lead above 400.
The mindset of the Australians will also be intriguing as they will still fancy their chances if they can wrap up the South African tail quickly.
The key man for South Africa early on Day 4 will be de Kock who showed in the first innings that he knows how to score quickly.
While on the flip side, the Australians will be looking to their spearhead Mitchell Starc to produce his usual array of death bowling to clean up the lower order.
If South Africa are able to continue their innings deep into the fourth day, the timing of a possible declaration will be interesting as they are a bowler down with the injury to Dale Steyn.
Either way, the South Africans are in a strong position and the Australians will have to pull out something special to avoid being set a monumental final innings run chase.
Be sure to join us on The Roar from 1:30pm (AEDT) to see how the day plays out.
Marshall
Guest
Don, never said I wouldn't support the team. More saying the leadership and decision making is making it a disheartening experience. Re: Smith vs Voges, Smith has a much longer and richer track record of international success and is younger. He is worth persevering with.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Marsh will never get a better stage to prove his worth with the bat The aside if they do lose here ( the draw is still a remote chance ) is by retaining the same 12 despite questions olver a few performances the series could be over before they make necessary change
Don Freo
Guest
Perhaps they might go down but no one will ever talk me into being pessimistic. There's no reason for watching sport with that state of mind. By the way, you'd be happy gunning for Voges...but not Smith? That smacks a bit of inconsistency. Smith is in a deeper trough than Voges. (30 runs to 34 in this test and only Voges is in the gun?) The ball that got Voges was near unplayable. Smith's was bad batting. Smithy will come good, though. If struggles continue, we have a good 10 to 15 players that will comfortably step up and will not disappoint . It's all looking rosy. A loss makes the series closer but it is not over while Mitch, and Ussie are there.
Basil
Guest
In all fairness Don, I think people just want this team to show some fight which has been missing for a while now. Some changes may have to be made going fwd. Voges was brought in for his experience but seems to go missing when when they need him most. We are all hoping Mitch and Usman can dig in but not confident based on current performances. I hope I'm wrong.
Tanmoy kar
Guest
Another loss is written on the Wall!
Brian George
Guest
Really Don? He missed a straight one first innings, sooner or later they'll remember that...
Tanmoy kar
Guest
Will they survive till lunch tomorrow? How far they can go, up to 250?
Don Freo
Guest
Those of us that are Aussie cricket fanatics are never disheartened. That's a sign of being a fanatic. What you describe are the traits of fair weather friends.
Widget
Roar Guru
STUMPS Australia 4/169 (Chasing 539) Another enthralling day of test cricket that was dominated by the South Africans once again. A great finish to their innings saw them set the Aussies a monumental run chase and then a memorable piece of fielding by Temba Bavuma and a terrific spell by Kagiso Rabada saw the Australians fall to just 4/169. The Australians will be frustrated after Warner, Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith all seemed to get starts before being knocked over South Africa holds all the cards heading into Day 5 so expect them to come out with plenty of energy in the first session. For the Aussies, saving a draw seems a tough task but there will be many of the brains trust that keep a close eye on how Khawaja, Mitch Marsh and Nevill all fare with the bat given the situation. Thanks for joining me today folks, I hope you enjoyed the cricket. Be sure to join us on The Roar tomorrow to follow all of the action from Day 5 of the first test.
Widget
Roar Guru
Over 55 Bowled by Philander .....1 Pressure on to get to stumps. Philander bowls a probing over but Marsh survives. That is Stumps! Australia 4/169 (chasing 539) Khawaja 58 M.Marsh 15
Rossy
Roar Rookie
Australian selectors have announced an unchanged 12 even without this match finishing. Truly baffling, they step it up in the crazy stakes each series. For mine Voges has proven he can't play quality bowling and must go, if Marsh fails here he should be back to the shield as well to get some runs. Nevill and Siddle put on notice. We also retain the puzzling Mennie selection for his batting? Honestly, as an aussie cricket fanatic these are sad times, we seem completely clueless and directionless. Disheartening.
Widget
Roar Guru
Over 54 Bowled by Maharaj .1.1.. Pressure on to get to stumps. Australia 4/168 (chasing 539) Khawaja 58 M.Marsh 14
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I've heard it on the tv and radio and comments online
Widget
Roar Guru
Over 53 Bowled by Philander ...4.. After a lengthy spell, Rabada is replaced by Philander. Marsh edges one and it bounces through the slips for four. Australia 4/166 (chasing 539) Khawaja 57 M.Marsh 13
Andy
Guest
I havnt heard anythng from anybody saying that South Africa cant win without Steyn, only that its going to be harder without one of the greatest fast bowlers ever. Which isnt really that controversial.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
So who gets dropped? M marsh & Voges? Maybe we can just pick our best 6 bats?
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
being beaten by 10 men is special. Like losing a game of footie to 12. or round ball to 10. or afl to 17. or doubles in tennis to 1.
Widget
Roar Guru
Over 51 Bowled by Maharaj ...1.. Maharaj replaces Philander. Almost a chance at bat pad off Marsh. Australia 4/162 (chasing 539) Khawaja 57 M.Marsh 9
Widget
Roar Guru
Over 50 Bowled by Rabada 4..... Rabada finds the edge of Khawaja's bat but it rolls through the slips for four. Another top over. Australia 4/161 (chasing 539) Khawaja 57 M.Marsh 8
Don Freo
Guest
Where there's a Marsh, there's a way. Go Mitch!!!