South Africa: 259/9 declared (Du Plessis 118*, Cook 40)
Australia: 109/2 (Khawaja 58*, Smith 23*, Abbott 2/17)
The pink ball Test is evenly poised at the Adelaide Oval after Usman Khawaja hit back after South Africa claimed two early wickets here on the second day.
Kyle Abbott nipped out both Test debutant Matt Renshaw and David Warner, who had come in at No 3 after not being able to open on Thursday evening after being in breach of the laws pertaining to time off the field, in quick succession.
Dean Elgar caught both left-handers at second slip, although there was conjecture about whether he had completed the Renshaw dismissal cleanly. Elgar had dived low to his left and television replays clarified that he took the catch fairly.
Warner’s dismissal was more straightforward which left the home side in a spot of bother at 37/2 in pursuit the South Africa’s 259/9 declared.
South Africa, though, could make no further inroads with Khawaja showing good discipline and patience, especially outside the off stump where left well. The left-hander found good support in his captain Steve Smith as the pair took the Aussies to lunch without any further loss of wickets.
In the process Khawaja moved to his third score in excess of 50 in as many Tests and will look to move towards his first century of the series this afternoon.
Independent Media