LIVE Cricket Score, Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 4 at Adelaide: AUS win by 7 wickets
LIVE Cricket Score, AUS vs SA, 3rd Test, Day 4 at Adelaide: AUS win by 7 wickets
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 Four. The match is being be played at the Adelaide Oval. With the loss of consecutive wickets, South Afria were brought down to 194 for 6 with lead of 70 at the end of Day Three. Australians handled the task well after building lead of 124 in the first session. Opener Stephen Cook is in hunt of second Test century and joined him along is new No. 8 batsman Quinton de Kock, who yet to open his account. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test at Adelaide
Australia have already shown their heroics with Usman Khawaja’s eight-hour knock of 145. Following his suit was tail-ender Mitchell Starc’s fifty keeping Australia secured in the final Test. Post Tea, Australia toppled over South Africa with ease. Starc captured the big wicket of du Plessis who, motivated by the events of his controversial pre-Test ball-tampering case, scored a career pinnacle unbeaten 118 in the first innings of the match. Du Plessis attempted to drive Starc only to get an outside edge to newcomer Peter Handscomb, who took a brilliant diving two-handed catch in the gully.
It was moment to cherish for Australia knowing his strength and the consistency he can provide in pressure situations. Starc started the ball rolling, removing Dean Elgar with the fourth ball of his opening over for a duck and fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood had Hashim Amla caught behind for 45. It was the fifth time Hazlewood had captured Amla’s wicket in five innings in the series. However, it was Nathan Lyon who kept South Africa on toes with his last hour dramatic twists with two consecutive wickets and ending with 3 wickets at the end of the day. ALSO READ: AUS vs SA 3rd Test Day 3 Preview and Predictions: Hosts strengthen grip
JP Duminy played across the spinner and was bowled for 26 and Temba Bavuma fell three overs from stumps, caught off his gloves by Steve Smith sweeping Lyon for 21. JP Duminy played across the spinner and was bowled for 26 and Temba Bavuma fell three overs from stumps, caught off his gloves by Steve Smith sweeping Lyon for 21. A lot is now dependent on de Kock and Cook to atleast build competitive lead of 150-200 to stay in the competition that is already towards the Australian way. Khawaja earlier top scored with 145 with the last four wickets adding 100 runs to put the home side in command.
It was the Pakistan-born batsman’s fifth Test century, all posted over the last 12 months. Khawaja achieved this knock at a crucial point of his career that could have gone in vain had he not achieved this feat. Apart from the century, he also becomes the highest run-scorer for his side in this series apart while Hazlewood is in contention as the most wicket-taker bowler from the hosts. Du Plessis decision of early declaration has somewhere back-fired on the captain and he will need to ensure the game ends in his favour to provide Australia their first-ever whitewash.
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.