JP Duminy completes a half century now and South Africa have scored 36
from the opening burst from Starc and Hazlewood. Runs are flowing here
and Smith realises he's in trouble. Peter Siddle and Mitchell Marsh are
in to the attack now. Straight away Marsh beats Duminy up. They'll need
to build pressure. Drying up the runs will help a bit
A good little start for South Africa. The runs are flowing at a healthy rate and more importantly both Elgar and Duminy are still around and batting confidently. A lot of this positive start on Day 3 has been down to bowling indiscipline. Mitchell Starc is finding a bit of reverse but is bowling far too full, almost overpitching, to cause any damage here.
Duminy set the tone with an on-drive and a cover drive off Starc. While Hazlewood has generally hit his lengths, Starc has sprayed a bit around - there's even been a short ball that's gone for four over the keeper's head. Elgar has completed his fifty and Duminy nears his own as the lead is past 130 now.
While Vernon Philaneder with his four-fer spearheaded the bowling admirably in Steyn's absence, debutant Keshav Maharaj impressed with his control and clever changes of pace. And of course, there's Kagiso Rabada and in these two there's hope of a bright future for South Africa.
David Warner, who got out in the nineties for the first time in his Test career yesterday, was understandably concerned about the middle-order collapse. He's asked his players to step it up in the second innings. You can read the details of that press conference here
Dean Elgar and JP Duminy looked untroubled during their half-century stand last evening. But it's the morning session which has produced all the drama so far in this game. The lead is 102. Important for South Africa to get as many as possible considering they are a bowler short for the second innings.
It's the third day of the Perth Test or as it is more popularly known - moving day. Nothing to worry on that front as the game has moved significantly. We're nicely into the middle of the third innings of this Test and after a topsy-turvy ride it's South Africa who find themselves on top after a dramatic turnaround on Day 2. Australia will wonder how they find themselves 102 behind at the start of Day 3 after bowling out the visitors for 242 in the first innings and being 158/0 in their own essay at one stage.
But such is the way of Test cricket. All an opponent needs is a small opening and a position of strength can quickly wither away. South Africa are pumped up, they want to extend their unbeaten run at WACA and they would like to do it for Dale Steyn, whose body is now showing signs of giving up on him. The pacer of this generation faces another lengthy period on the sidelines after sustaining a stress fracture to his right shoulder.
Here's wishing the champion the very best as we build up to what should be another tantalising first session in Perth
At the start of the day's play, South Africa's chances of a comeback on what is still a good batting surface hinged on a dramatic turnaround in fortunes. David Warner and Shaun Marsh had eaten into a good chunk of their first innings total and when they'd taken Australia's score to 158 just after Drinks in the first session, the visitors' chances looked bleak. Then a dramatic collapse ensued. Philander and Maharaj picked up seven wickets among themselves, restricting Australia to a paltry two-run lead. And now this partnership between Duminy and Elgar has pushed their lead to 104.
Perhaps the only thing that'll sully their mood is the fact that Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the series with a fractured shoulder bone.
Match Summery
A good little start for South Africa. The runs are flowing at a healthy rate and more importantly both Elgar and Duminy are still around and batting confidently. A lot of this positive start on Day 3 has been down to bowling indiscipline. Mitchell Starc is finding a bit of reverse but is bowling far too full, almost overpitching, to cause any damage here.
Duminy set the tone with an on-drive and a cover drive off Starc. While Hazlewood has generally hit his lengths, Starc has sprayed a bit around - there's even been a short ball that's gone for four over the keeper's head. Elgar has completed his fifty and Duminy nears his own as the lead is past 130 now.
While Vernon Philaneder with his four-fer spearheaded the bowling admirably in Steyn's absence, debutant Keshav Maharaj impressed with his control and clever changes of pace. And of course, there's Kagiso Rabada and in these two there's hope of a bright future for South Africa.
David Warner, who got out in the nineties for the first time in his Test career yesterday, was understandably concerned about the middle-order collapse. He's asked his players to step it up in the second innings. You can read the details of that press conference here
Dean Elgar and JP Duminy looked untroubled during their half-century stand last evening. But it's the morning session which has produced all the drama so far in this game. The lead is 102. Important for South Africa to get as many as possible considering they are a bowler short for the second innings.
It's the third day of the Perth Test or as it is more popularly known - moving day. Nothing to worry on that front as the game has moved significantly. We're nicely into the middle of the third innings of this Test and after a topsy-turvy ride it's South Africa who find themselves on top after a dramatic turnaround on Day 2. Australia will wonder how they find themselves 102 behind at the start of Day 3 after bowling out the visitors for 242 in the first innings and being 158/0 in their own essay at one stage.
But such is the way of Test cricket. All an opponent needs is a small opening and a position of strength can quickly wither away. South Africa are pumped up, they want to extend their unbeaten run at WACA and they would like to do it for Dale Steyn, whose body is now showing signs of giving up on him. The pacer of this generation faces another lengthy period on the sidelines after sustaining a stress fracture to his right shoulder.
Here's wishing the champion the very best as we build up to what should be another tantalising first session in Perth
At the start of the day's play, South Africa's chances of a comeback on what is still a good batting surface hinged on a dramatic turnaround in fortunes. David Warner and Shaun Marsh had eaten into a good chunk of their first innings total and when they'd taken Australia's score to 158 just after Drinks in the first session, the visitors' chances looked bleak. Then a dramatic collapse ensued. Philander and Maharaj picked up seven wickets among themselves, restricting Australia to a paltry two-run lead. And now this partnership between Duminy and Elgar has pushed their lead to 104.
Perhaps the only thing that'll sully their mood is the fact that Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the series with a fractured shoulder bone.
Match Summery
AUS 244
RSA 242, 161/2 (56.3 Ovs)