Josh Inglis marked his comeback with his second hundred in Test cricket while Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon kept picking up wickets to put South Africa in a difficult position on Thursday’s third day of the decisive Test at Newlands, Cape Town.
Where did South Africa stand at stumps after Temba Bavuma’s late dismissal?
South Africa ended the day at 140/4 in their second innings, holding a 40 runs advantage over Australia with six wickets remaining. Australia’s hopes received a further boost when Temba Bavuma was dismissed in the second-last over while Nathan Lyon extracted increasing turn from a pitch that is starting to favour spin bowling.
How large was the first-innings lead Australia built before declaring?
Australia resumed the third day at 330/4 and eventually declared their first-innings effort at 429 gaining a 100-run cushion over South Africa. Josh Inglis and Alex Carey continued to frustrate the home bowlers with their fifth-wicket stand before Simon Harmer dismissed both batters in quick succession. South Africa managed to clean up the remaining Australian wickets without much delay but the visitors had already established a valuable lead leaving the hosts facing a challenging task.
What is at stake in the series-deciding final Test at Newlands?
The three-match contest remains tied at 1-1 with Australia winning the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs before South Africa bounced back with an innings-and 31 runs triumph in Gqeberha. The Cape Town encounter will determine the series winner who will also move to the summit of the Test rankings.
How dominant was the fifth-wicket stand between Josh Inglis and Alex Carey?
Josh Inglis and Alex Carey picked up from where they had left off on the second day, continuing to frustrate South Africa’s bowlers as their fifth-wicket stand grew to 185 runs. Their efforts put Australia in a strong position to build a sizeable advantage over the hosts.
How did Simon Harmer break Australia’s middle-order resistance?
Inglis brought up his second Test century in 132 deliveries, making an impressive impact on his return to the Australian lineup. Carey also produced a composed knock of 80 but fell short of a hundred. Simon Harmer dismissed both batters in quick succession, helping South Africa regain some momentum.
How did South Africa wrap up Australia’s lower order?
South Africa then made progress through the visitors’ tail. Kagiso Rabada sent Pat Cummins back for a duck after trapping him leg-before, while Gerald Coetzee removed Mitchell Starc. Cooper Connolly contributed 29 runs, with Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood helping Australia approach the 430-run mark.
What were the final bowling figures for South Africa’s first innings?
Australia’s innings ended at 429, securing a 100-run lead. Harmer was the pick of the South African bowlers with four wickets for 104 runs, while Marco Jansen claimed three scalps for 60.
How did Australia’s pace bowlers dismantle South Africa’s top order early?
South Africa were looking for a strong response with the bat, but Mitchell Starc struck early by having Aiden Markram caught by Travis Head at mid-off for just one run. Josh Hazlewood soon added to the hosts’ troubles, dismissing David Bedingham for 11 after Nathan Lyon held on to a catch when the batter went for another pull shot.
How did Zubayr Ackerman and Temba Bavuma rebuild South Africa’s second innings?
Zubayr Ackerman and Temba Bavuma put together a 64-run stand for the third wicket in an attempt to revive South Africa’s innings. Ackerman, who had made 95 in the first innings, continued his fine form with an 80-ball knock of 62. His stay at the crease offered the hosts hope of gaining a significant advantage.
How did Mitchell Starc break Zubayr Ackerman’s half-century knock?
Mitchell Starc eventually ended the partnership with a short-pitched delivery that forced Ackerman into an awkward shot. The resulting top edge flew to Cameron Green at slip, who completed the catch. Ackerman appeared frustrated as he departed, seemingly keen to challenge the decision, but the window to request a review had already closed. Subsequent replays showed that the dismissal was legitimate.
What match milestone did Mitchell Starc reach with Zubayr Ackerman’s dismissal?
With two wickets in the innings, Starc raised his match tally to eight dismissals. His strikes prevented South Africa from building a commanding lead, even as Ackerman registered his second successive fifty.
How did Temba Bavuma attempt to anchor South Africa through to stumps?
After Ackerman’s dismissal, Temba Bavuma aimed to see South Africa through to the close of play in the company of Matthew Breetzke. The skipper had spent 115 deliveries at the crease, attempting to stabilise the innings following the loss of early wickets.
How did Nathan Lyon strike late to remove Temba Bavuma before stumps?
Nathan Lyon disrupted those plans in the second-last over of the day. Bavuma tried to nudge a turning delivery towards the leg side but failed to make contact, allowing the ball to crash into the stumps. The South African captain departed for 35, leaving his side at 140/4 and giving Australia a timely wicket just before the day’s play ended.
Why could Nathan Lyon prove critical on the worsening Newlands surface?
Nathan Lyon had now sent Bavuma back to the pavilion for the second time in the match. With the Newlands surface beginning to assist spinners more noticeably the Australian off-spinner could prove crucial when play resumes on Day 4.
How slim is South Africa’s lead heading into Day 4?
Matthew Breetzke remained not out on 19, while Ryan Rickelton was batting on eight. South Africa’s advantage stood at only 40 runs meaning the six remaining wickets must deliver a substantial contribution if the hosts are to set Australia a challenging target.
What bowling options will Australia deploy with the second new ball?
As the Newlands wicket starts to assist spin, Australia will have the option of taking the second new ball after the opening hour on Day 4. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will aim to exploit the fresh ball, while Nathan Lyon could become increasingly dangerous if the pitch continues to offer turn.
What target is Australia hoping to restrict South Africa to?
Josh Inglis anticipates that scoring runs will get tougher as the Test moves towards its conclusion. He indicated that Australia would prefer to keep South Africa’s overall advantage close to 200 runs, though the final target will be determined by the hosts’ performance with the bat.
How vital will the opening session of Day 4 be for both teams?
South Africa still have an opportunity to strengthen their position but losing another batter early on Day 4 would make their task considerably harder. Australia will aim to capitalise on their advantage having moved ahead through Josh Inglis’ hundred before their bowlers restricted the hosts from establishing a substantial lead of their own.