Published: Nov 26, 2016, 07:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 26, 2016, 04:48 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s coverage between Australia and South Africa. This is the third Test and here you will get all the live updates of Day Three. The match is being be played at the Adelaide Oval. If Day One saw South Africa ruling the day with captain Faf du Plessis century, Day Two belonged to Usman Khawaja. Australia fought back hard with successful partnerships along with the opening batsman carrying the bat until now. Skipper Steven Smith, debutant Peter Handscomb got fifties building a decent lead for Australia at the end of the day’s play. With Khawaja still unbeaten on 138, Australia will aim for 100 lead to continue ruling the game.
South Africa had their share of laugh with two early wickets of Matt Renshaw and David Warner. Renshaw already received praises from the cricket fraternity for his foot work and composure while Warner was forced to enter late, following the surprising declaration by du Plessis on Day One. However, Khawaja and Smith stitched a healthy partnership if 137 runs for third wicket taking Australia to a new level and keeping them ahead in the league. Smith got to his fifty while Khawaja got to his fifth Test century. In the process, Khwaja also built steady partnership with Handscomb of 99 runs and has built 35 runs along with Mitchell Starc to stay ahead in the race. South Africa picked early wickets in similar fashion with Dean Elgar the man of the moment capturing the wickets at the third slip while Kyle Abbott rejoiced as he ended up maximum wickets at the end of the day.
Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada ended with wicket apiece to thwart Australia in the final session. But the spinners were taken for a ride and sorely missed Keshav Maharaj, as the Tabraiz Shamsi has been wicketless throughout the Test so far. He has proven his mettle with the bat but his ball needs to do the talking. South Africa used various combinations as well bringing Elgar and Temba Bavuma as well to bring some variations. But Australia’s Khawaja and Starc added the much needed stability after continuous fall of wickets. Nic Maddinson and Matthew Wade went cheaply, leaving the pressure on the tail-enders.
South Africa captain shut the critics with ease as he got to his sixth Test century and also built decent partnership with Stephen Cook and Abbott along with the much needed stand with Shamsi for the final wicket. Australia on Day One showed excellence with the ball as Josh Hazlewood shone with the pink-ball and grabbed 4 wickets. Starc and Jackson Bird got two wickets while Nathan Lyon got a wicket to rejoice. With just two days left for the final Test, Australia will try all the methods to avoid their first-ever whitewash at home and also sixth consecutive loss in Test this year.
Squads:
Australia: Steven Smith (c), Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Tabraiz Shamsi and Kyle Abbott.
