South Africa vs Australia: International cricket third Test – Day 1, live scores, blog, highlights

By Lachlan Ballingall / Roar Guru

South Africa welcome Australia to Cape Town with the series level at 1-1. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:30pm (AEDT).

The result in Port Elizabeth was great for this Test series. With South Africa levelling it up, it certainly puts an importance on Cape Town for both these sides.

One does get the feeling South Africa are favourites to now win this series as momentum is with them, but you can never rule out Australia.

The Australian batsmen found ways to get starts in Port Elizabeth, but not go on with it. That was probably the difference in the end, as we saw a sublime innings from AB de Villiers which opened the whole game up for his team.

It was considered one of the great innings. The way he attacked the Australian bowlers hasn’t really been something we have seen before. They come with such a reputation that most batsmen fear taking them on, but de Villiers showed his class and confidence.

For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada, who was man of the match in Port Elizabeth after taking eleven wickets over both innings, will feature in Cape Town after escaping punishment for making physical contact with Steve Smith.

As for Australia, Mitch Marsh and Mitch Starc are both fit despite having some niggles over the past few days. It would have been a worrying time in the Aussie camp with the uncertainty of these two. You cannot help but think that South Africa would have taken an easy 2-1 lead if both were deemed unfit, especially since Rabada is available for selection.

One man who will be looking for a big score is Cameron Bancroft. He has actually done a decent job at the top of the order in terms of seeing the new ball off, but the big score, which he is yet to get next to his name, is the one thing the public keep pointing to. He might be a feeling a bit of pressure heading into Cape Town.

Prediction
If Australia are to win it will take an almighty effort. South Africa have the momentum and have key players in form. They should be heading into Cape Town with supreme confidence.

South Africa to take a 2-1 lead.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:30pm (AEDT).

The Crowd Says:

2018-03-23T04:37:04+00:00

Kangajets

Guest


Third session to Australia, an intriguing day of cricket .

2018-03-22T16:01:13+00:00

Guy

Guest


Yea Warne wasnt actually that bad he might get alot of slack for the character he is but he does have good things to say when it comes to cricket.

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:58:47+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Stumps We are going off for bad light here and that will be stumps. Dean Elgar remains 121 not out. It was Pat Cummins who got Australia back in the game. I'm off to bed, thanks to everyone that followed the coverage today! Over: 87.0 Score: 8/266

2018-03-22T15:57:56+00:00

Guy

Guest


Commentators said they could have easily gotten 2 more over in stupid umpiriing.

2018-03-22T15:53:02+00:00

Guy

Guest


They have taken the new ball too late.

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:52:15+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Elgar gets a single. Over: 86.3 Score: 8/266

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:50:31+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Hazlewood will get the first crack with it.

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:50:10+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


New ball taken

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:49:49+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


FOUR! Lovely cover drive from Rabada. Over: 85.6 Score: 8/265

2018-03-22T15:48:49+00:00

Ouch

Guest


Strange days when Shane Warne improves the commentary. Graham smith and mike Haysman are terrible. So whiny.

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:47:55+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Nice punch from Rabada through the covers. He gets off the mark with two. Over: 85.3 Score: 8/261

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:47:03+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Single to Elgar down the ground. Over: 85.2 Score: 8/259

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:45:23+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Good over from Hazlewood. Over: 84.6 Score: 8/258

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:42:46+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Elgar whips one away for a single. Over: 84.2 Score: 8/258

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:41:10+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Rabada cops a bouncer first up. Over: 83.6 Score: 8/257

2018-03-22T15:40:44+00:00

Guy

Guest


This is remarkable SA were 2/220 what a comeback.

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:40:08+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Never thought I'd be saying this at any stage today. Rabada is now at the crease. This is a massive collapse.

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:39:06+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


WICKET! Poor shot from Maharaj. Straight down the throat of Bancroft at short cover. He goes for 3. Starc has his first wicket. Over: 83.5 Score: 8/257

2018-03-22T15:36:30+00:00

Guy

Guest


Mitch Marsh has been proving himself as a true all rounder in recent games a quality that SA dont have in their side. In the recent series of England vs SA the key difference between the sides was England's all round capabilities particularly Ben Stokes and SA tried to match it with Morris but it made them look a Batsman light.

AUTHOR

2018-03-22T15:35:48+00:00

Lachlan Ballingall

Roar Guru


Starc into the attack, by the way.

More Comments on The Roar

Read more at The Roar