Day3, Tea time
Australia: 243 & 86/3 (Khawaja 28*, Bancroft 24, Rabada 1/29)
South Africa: 382 (De Villiers 126*, Cummins 3/79)
South Africa took giant strides to levelling the Test series during the second session on day 3 at St George’s Park by taking three Australian wickets before the visitors have managed to wipe out the first innings deficit.
It certainly was “moving day” with the Proteas taking a commanding 139-run lead courtesy of magnificent AB de Villiers century and some lower-order resilience from Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj in the morning.
Buoyed by performance with willow in hand, the bowlers came out with a spring in their step and were superbly led once again by Kagiso Rabada.
With South Africa’s pace spearhead facing an ICC disciplinary hearing on Sunday evening, which could have a major impact on Rabada’s continued present in the series, he came out and bowled with lots of fire.
The energy accounted for David Warner, with Rabada clean bowling him with a beautiful delivery. Rabada, though, may have made matters worse for himself with another fiery celebration that will interest ICC match referee Jeff Crowe.
Lungi Ngidi followed Rabada’s lead by dismissing Cameron Bancroft shortly afterwards before Maharaj got in the act too.
South Africa’s left-arm spinner certainly has the edge on Australian skipper Steve Smith, with Maharaj dismissing the World’s No 1 batsman once again.
Usman Khawaja seems to fighting a lone battle and is currently undefeated on 28.