Australia took a tight grip on this match when they dismissed three top-order South Africa batters on the third morning of the first test at a sunny Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.
And it was so nearly a fourth as Wiaan Mulder, on seven, was reprieved by the TV umpire when slip fielder Marnus Labuschagne claimed a catch at slip off Nathan Lyon in the last over before the break. Mulder had walked halfway back to the pavilion before Richard Illingworth’s decision went in his favour.
Even so, Australia enjoyed a good morning in the Durban heat, again in front of a scanty crowd, reducing the Proteas to 115 for four – a deficit of 275 – after they resumed on 27 for one in pursuit of the visitors’ first innings total of 390.
Initially, all seemed fine for the Proteas as Aiden Markram and David Bedingham played some fine strokes as they took their second wicket partnership to 84 off 115 balls on a seemingly flat pitch with the sympathetic north-easterly wind blowing again.
But the home team’s top batters collectively imploded with a series of soft dismissals. First Markram, who had struck 37 in 67 balls, played a loose shot off the back foot to a delivery best left alone, edging to Matt Renshaw in the slips.
The Australians bowled well to Proteas’ skipper Temba Bavuma who struggled for fluency. Nathan Lyon then dismissed him when the little right-hander, perhaps keen to improve his run-rate, reverse-swept the offspinner only to be well held at slip by Steve Smith who had anticipated the shot, moving smartly to his right to claim the catch. Bavuma departed for three in 27 balls.
Bedingham had played with pleasing freedom, striking some fine drives and shots off his legs, but he played one shot too many at a Pat Cummins delivery he should have left alone outside his off-stump. The result was another edge with Smith diving to his left to take a fine catch in front of second slip. Bedingham had struck nine fours in his attractive 49 in 73 balls.
At lunch Tristan Stubbs was on 14 with Mulder on seven.
SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Nicolas Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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