It has been a good session for South Africa as they have taken four wickets. However, Australia continue to pile on the pressure as they look to score at a quick pace.
They have thus extended their lead to 280 runs at lead at lunch, and with in-form Matt Renshaw in the middle, they will definitely aim to get their lead past 400.
In both the innings of the match, Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for the exact same score of 37 from 58 deliveries. This is how he got out in the second innings.
It has been some time since Marnus Labuschagne has posted a high score for Australia, and after a good start, he once again falls. This time, he lobs the ball straight into the hands of Temba Bavuma. It is a soft dismissal, as he gets out for 37. Australia are four down now, as they somehow aim to take their lead to 400 or above with 6 wickets in hand.
Simon Harmer has taken the crucial breakthrough for South Africa. Steve Smith departs as he tried to clear the ropes once again, landing the ball straight into the hands of Marco Jansen. The wicket now brings the hero of the first innings, Matt Renshaw into the middle.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have truly consolidated the Australia innings after the loss of two early wickets. The duo have gone against their natural game, and taken the attack to the opposition.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are continuing the momentum set by the Australian openers, as they continue piling on the runs. The lead for the visitors has gone past 200, and by the looks of things, they are not willing to stop.
Anrich Nortje bowled a magical delivery to get Nic Maddinson out. Here’s how he took the important wicket.
The South African pacers are currently breathing fire, as they are heavily troubling the newly arrived pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. In fact, they are peppering them with short deliveries, and one of them even struck Smith on the head. A mandatory concussion check had to be performed.
The second wicket of the day falls shortly after Travis Head. Nic Maddisnson was looking in fine knick, but Anrich Nortje took the wicket of the Australian opener with a brutal yorker that absolutely castled his stumps. Unfortunately, Maddinson falls just two runs short of his half-century.
Australia have lost a wicket early on Day 4 of the first Test, as the dangerous Travis Head departs. The star opener launched a counterattack and was looking to score big, but Marco Jansen struck with ball that straightened after pitching up. Head hit the ball straight into the hands of Temba Bavuma at mid off.
All the three days of action in the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test has been massively hampered by the cloud cover, with bad light ending play early everyday. The weather forecast on Day 4 is also no different. According to Accuweather.com, there wil be 49-61% cloud coverage throughout the day, with it increasing with time. Hence, expect another shortened day of play.
Batting first, Australia were in trouble as they lost 6 wickets for 124 runs in the first innings. However, the visitors registered a stellar fightback as they managed to score 390, and were led by Matt Renshaw who slammed 190 runs. South Africa were then all out for 284, with Pat Cummins leading the charge with a three-wicket haul. Leading by 106 runs, Travis Head and Nic Maddinson, launched a brutal counterattack on the hosts, as they are now on 33/0, leading by 139 runs at the end of Day 3.
Hello and welcome, as I, Shaunak Ghosh, bring you live updates from the action on Day 4 of the 1st Test between South Africa and Australia at the iconinc Kingsmead in Durban. Stay tuned for the all action that is set to unfold in what has been a good contest between two top teams.