South Africa vs Australia: 3rd Test, Day 3, Review- Controversies galore amidst jaw dropping cricket

After the end of the first couple of days, the game was poised for a riveting third day. Nathan Lyon and Tim Paine’s blitz in the post-tea session helped Australia reduce the first-innings deficit by a significant margin. Meanwhile, South Africa would have rued the fact that they allowed the partnership to flourish and somewhat handed the momentum and ascendancy to the Aussies.

Morne Morkel bowled exceptionally, notched his 300th wicket in Test cricket and helped the Proteas in restricting the Aussies. Ahead of the day’s play while South Africa wished to clean up the tail, Paine and Australia hoped to add some crucial runs. The sky was overcast and the conditions were ideal for the fast bowlers to wield their magic.

South Africa dominates the session

The day started handsomely for Faf du Plessis’ men as Kagiso Rabada nipped out Josh Hazlewood early as Australia could only add ten runs to their overnight score. With a lead of 56 runs, the advantage well and truly lied with South Africa. Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar took them off to a steady start. However, Patrick Cummins dismissed Elgar and drew first blood for the Aussies.

Elgar, who played exceptionally in the first innings, couldn’t replicate the form. However, Hashim Amla and Markram steadied the ship and made sure that they don’t lose any wicket before lunch. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood, Patrick Cummins and Mitchell Starc tried their hearts out but in vain. Before lunch, the lead stretched to 121 runs.

Controversies dominate the session

The session started with Hashim Amla surviving a massive scare off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. The pacer hurled a bouncer which seemed to have brushed Amla’s gloves and based on that the umpire adjudged him out. However, Amla was spontaneous to review it. Replays showed a flat line in the Snicometer and the decision was overturned.

Thereafter, Cummins and Starc dismissed Amla and Markram respectively. However, the session took a controversial turn thereafter. Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera, hiding a sharp object, which is suspected to be a sand-paper, inside his pants. The umpires intervened and play started thereafter. However, the Aussies received flak from every nook and corner of the world.

Meanwhile, Aiden Markram brought up his third half-century, which was completely overshadowed by the controversy. The lead stretched to 206 runs with seven wickets in hand for the Proteas. Also, South Africa have taken the game by the scruff of the neck. Australia, on the other hand, wished for some early wickets in the post-lunch session.

Well played South Africa

The third session saw the hosts continue their dominance over a bunch of hapless Australians. AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis resumed the session for the hosts. The duo stitched together a partnership of 45 runs. AB de Villiers blended caution with aggression. He notched his 45th half-century which was garnished with six boundaries and a six.

Du Plessis was trapped in front by Nathan Lyon, which gave Australia their fourth wicket. Temba Bavuma’s poor run of form continued as he nicked Josh Hazlewood’s out-swinger into the palms of Peter Handscomb. Quinton de Kock joined de Villiers and made his intentions clear with some blistering shots.

The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 29 runs off 33 balls, which further dented South Africa’s confidence. Both de Villiers and de Kock strolled along, however, bad light stopped play and they ended the day with a lead of 294 runs with five wickets in their kitty. Meanwhile, the cricketing world awaits further developments surrounding the ball-tampering saga.

Brief Scores

South Africa 311 in 97.5 overs; Dean Elgar 141*, AB de Villiers 64; Patrick Cummins 4/78, Nathan Lyon 2/43

Australia 255 all out in 69.5 overs; Cameron Bancroft 77, Nathan Lyon 47; Morne Morkel 4/87, Kagiso Rabada 4/91

South Africa 238/5 in 72 overs; Aiden Markram 84, AB de Villiers 51*; Patrick Cummins 2/47, Josh Hazlewood 1/46

South Africa lead by 294 runs with five wickets remaining

Stumps on Day 3