South Africa take a 401 run lead into the fourth day against Australia at the Wanderers. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 6pm (AEST).
Australia fought hard to begin Day 3. With the Australians 110-6 to begin the day, it had the potential to only become worse considering South Africa scored 488 in their first innings.
But, thanks to Tim Paine and Pat Cummins, Australia managed to dig themselves out of a hole ever so slightly. They both added valuable half-centuries as they showed their class with the bat.
Paine showed his elegance at the crease finishing with 62 runs next to his name, and Cummins finished with 50.
Australia were bowled out for 221 to end their first innings, but Faf du Plessis decided to bat again despite having the option to enforce the follow-on. Due to the time that was left in the game, it made sense to give his bowlers a rest to recharge and go again.
South Africa began their second innings well, but the in-form Aiden Markram went for 37 when he snicked off to Cummins for 37.
Hashim Amla got a start scoring 16, but he was caught trying to tickle one around the corner off Nathan Lyon.
AB de Villiers couldn’t have an impact, which has been rare considering his form, but he copped a cracker from Cummins which took off and caught his glove which Paine made no mistake catching.
The joy stopped there for Australia as Dean Elgar (39 not out) and du Plessis (34 not out) propelled the Proteas to 3-134, which sees the lead at 401 runs.
Due to the time left in the game, South Africa will keep batting to the point that breaks Australia. It’s going to be one heavy defeat for Paine’s men.
It’s a shame the way the series has rounded out, because it had the potential to be a blinder, but it has been anything but in the end.
Prediction
Doesn’t take a rocket science to work this one out, but it’s just a question of when, rather than if, regarding South Africa winning this final Test match of the series.
South Africa to wrap up the series 3-1.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 6pm (AEDT).
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Lol Elgar literally did that nearly every shot against Lyon.
Johnny Boy
Guest
Faf could have declared two hours earlier. All they had to do was to score faster and the lead would have been 600+ anyway. Very negative tactics from SA that might come back to bite them.
Rob
Guest
The decisions by the umpires are fine they were all out. Dumb batting by Renshaw (probably tired) not getting his pad outside the line and UK (should have presented the BAT better). It's Hawkeye's outcomes i'm questioning. Burns was plumb, hit on middle and going onto hit leg but i'm wondering how it shows the ball straightening to hit middle and leg. In Rabada LBW shout the ball was both high and well outside off, but Hawkeye is suggesting it is savagely coming back into feather the off bail. Renshaw given out first ball was a poor decision. Luckily hawkeye wasn't the judge on that one. hehe
Roger
Guest
"This aussie lot have just imploded like i’ve never seen a cricket team do" - Jeez, I wonder why that is???????
Johnno
Guest
aussies tour from hell, never seen such spiteful series and such a deflating series. This series for the aussies is worse than england's 2006 ashes tour of OZ. This aussie lot have just imploded like i've never seen a cricket team do, and south africa has battered australia into submission on and off the field, tougher, harder, better in all aspects of the game on and off the field out muscled them. Time for CA to sign otis gibson
DavSA
Guest
Unless you resurrect Bradman , Aus are on an early flight home tomorrow ...And please you are always loved , respected and welcomed here but....this team is an exception. We are going to be happy to see the backs of you.Work tomorrow anyway.work tomorrow for most of us anyway.
Stephen
Guest
I agree pope, a shot was played by khawaja, nonsense decision
Stephen
Guest
khawaja given out unfairly, he played a shot at that ball and the impact was outside off stump, the ball spun alot and its not his fault he couldn't get to the ball but bottomline he was playing a shot and terrible umpiriing there by Llong and i am tired of such bad umpiring
It isn't possible to complain about every umpiring decision, its ridiculous.
Nonsense, if you play a defensive shot you present bat and pad, you don't pull back on your bat.
peter chrisp
Guest
Chances are very slim could the Aussies bat out the final day? Or all out by tea time?
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Lol Khawaja's wicket was a joke every batsman puts their bat behind their leg i guess Maharaj screaming at the umpires face changed that.
felix
Guest
Sorry Rob I can tell you are very upset,just a taste of your sour grapes mite help with relieving some stress ''SA hawkeye'' is a first,very amusing though :-D hehe
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me today everyone, I hope you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back tomorrow.
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Stumps Well, we are going off for bad light and that will be stumps. South Africa need seven more wickets to win, and Australia need 524 more runs to win. Peter Handscomb (23) and Shaun Marsh (7) will resume batting tomorrow. Over: 30.0 Score: 3/88
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Handscomb leaves. Over: 29.4 Score: 3/88
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Handscomb defends. Over: 29.3 Score: 3/88
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
FOUR! Handscomb uses his feet nicely and whips Maharaj through mid-wicket for four. Over: 29.2 Score: 3/88
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Handscomb defends. Over: 29.1 Score: 3/84
Lachlan Ballingall
Roar Guru
Marsh defends. Over: 28.6 Score: 3/84