Despite the series being wrapped up, both Australia and South Africa played with great intensity at the start of the third Test on a day the home side may have just edged. Join The Roar for live scores and blog of day two from 2:30pm (AEDT).
The first day of the third Test between South Africa and Australia leaves the two sides in a very similar position to what they were at the end of day one of the first Test in Perth.
This means Australia hold a slight advantage, but had it not been for Faf du Plessis it could have been a massive one, with the South African captain finishing unbeaten on 118.
It was a strange occasion for du Plessis. The Adelaide crowd booed him onto the field, with du Plessis having been controversially found guilty of ball tampering in the lead-up to the Test, a charge that could have seen him suspended.
But not dissimilar to his debut Test in Adelaide four years earlier, du Plessis bailed his team out of an awkward situation. He eventually declared with his side 9 for 259 allowing his bowlers to have a run under the Adelaide lights.
These types of low scoring declarations in the final session of play have been common in day-night Sheffield Shield games, but the situation with David Warner that followed the declaration was anything but common.
Warner, having gone off the field for treatment on his shoulder while South Africa were nine wickets down, was told in the wake of the declaration that he could not open the batting as he had not returned to the field for long enough before the end of the Proteas’ innings.
This meant that Australia was left with an entirely different opening combination from their previous game, as Usman Khawaja was moved up the order to open with debutant Matt Renshaw.
With 12 overs to bowl before the end of play, a couple of wickets may have put South Africa ahead in the game.
However, Khawaja and Renshaw showed great resilience, ending the night not out on three and eight respectively.
The main contributor to Australia’s favourable position was Josh Hazlewood, who put in another impressive bowling display, finishing with 4/68.
Hazlewood is the leading wicket-taker in the series, now with fifteen scalps beside his name, though it is worth noting that Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott all have superior averages.
It will be up to this trio, along with debutant spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, to try to ensure Australia’s new-look batting line-up doesn’t find any joy on an Adelaide pitch that just seems to have a bit of life in it.
Be sure to join The Roar from 2:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary throughout the second day’s play of the day-night Test between Australia and South Africa.
Don Freo
Guest
This is not the best bowling attack in the world.
Matthew H
Guest
A lot have said that, however Maddinson will know that he was bowled because of not managing to keep both eyes on the ball the whole way and also not getting the bat down aggressively enough. He will be disappointed no doubt, but fairly simple aspects to improve on.
Matthew H
Guest
LBW used to be 'benefit of the doubt' to the batsman. I guess that's gone now somewhat with technology, however the 'umpire's call' rule I'm sure was designed in part to preserve it. The pressure is so great on umpires now with that technology. In the past I think that would be not-out more often than not because you just can't be out when the ball pitches outside leg stump. I know that was desperately close, but with benefit of doubt considered that was always not out IMO.
Perry Bridge
Guest
That period with the 2nd new ball was always going to be dangerous. Being critical - Handscomb got stuck going nowhere to one he should've been forward to - but he'd got a lovely 54 but still had work to do - which exposed Maddinson at the worst time for him and he got a good'un but good batsmen keep those out as it's not as if it pitched on a good length and seamed back through a tiny gap - it was a full pitcher (Yorker) and he only had to deal with it through the air. Wade should've left the one he got out to - he's got to be careful - that was a period in play where he had to be more circumspect. His shot to get off the mark was glorious but perhaps gave him a false sense of security. Starc very lucky re the LBW - but got through and Australia has the chance to build a useful lead today.
MANISH
Guest
Best bowling attack only in seaming conditions, not in India.
Don Freo
Guest
It's not "people" that talk about technique. It is us on a blog. For what it's worth, Handscomb has a very sound, very conventional technique. Not a "shocker" at all.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
They sure are looking a bit ordinary, though Maddinson got an absolute gem of a delivery -- quick, swinging, and right at the toes. On the other hand, both Renshaw and Handscomb did well I thought -- Renshaw may not have cashed in but his early efforts with Khawaja saw the shine off the ball, and by the time Smith was out there it seemed to have gone relatively docile.
jameswm
Roar Guru
He should have gone forward and it would have hit him outside off. Bloody good ball though.
Tatah
Guest
Really? After one innings against the best bowling attack in the world with the pink ball under lights? Ridiculous.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"I find it baffling that people talk about his technique when he is nearly averaging 60 in Test cricket." The only people that still bang on about Smith's technique are either trolls or fools.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
lol
doogs
Guest
Great innings by Khawaja. One of the epics. I also felt that was the best Mitchell Starc batted for a while. He did have luck but he was selfless in the way he took a lot of the strike to see Khawaj through to stumps. It was not pretty, but it was gritty (did not mean to rhyme).
doogs
Guest
He was amazing today. The concentration. He is now the leading run-getter in the series. But it is not just that. This is a very good SA attack.
doogs
Guest
He is exceptional. Great bowling from him today
jamesb
Guest
He seemed like an old steady head just anchoring the ship. His best ever innings. His fifth test century.
doogs
Guest
Smith has an unusual technique but when he plays a good shot it is normally a hell of a shot. Bit like that incredible pull for six when he had just arrived. I find it baffling that people talk about his technique when he is nearly averaging 60 in Test cricket. He could bat one handed for all I care. What does it matter?
jamesb
Guest
The Maddinson/Wade selections are looking pretty ordinary right now.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Another fantastic day of this test comes to a close with Australia in a good but not unassailable position. The good position Australia are in is primarily because of Usman Khawaja, who batted through the whole day, finishing on 138 not out. Along with some beautiful strokeplay, Khawaja read the game perfectly, digging in when the bowlers were looking strong, and making the most of it when the South Africans wavered. Khawaja was primarily supported by Handscomb and Smith, who both made fifties of their own. But despite the Australians success, the South Africans didn't bowl poorly. Their fault probably lay in their inability to maintain pressure. However, one bowler who this criticism cannot be laid against is Kyle Abbott. Abbott finishes the day with figures of 3/38 from 25 overs. His discipline and skill meant that whenever he was bowling South Africa were in the game. He is also the reason that South Africa are still in the game at the end of the day. Australia's lead is just under 50, and depending on how South Africa's bowls tomorrow, it may not get much larger than this. But as long as Khawaja is at the crease, Australia have a chance of mounting a very substantial lead. The first session tomorrow will certainly be vital in deciding the outcome of the test, and once again, The Roar will be covering the test with lives scores and commentary throughout the day.
doogs
Guest
That was what I thought. I thought it was a great ball that beat the inside edge. Never mind. Nice knock
Mahee Hossain
Guest
Smith's technique hasn't done him too badly, got him 4K runs at a 57 average, don't write off Handscomb for his technique.