Hobart: Quinton de Kock put South Africa in a commanding position on Day 3 of the Hobart Test with a brilliant century which gave the visitors a 241-run lead in the first innings.  


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Over 36 | Score 121/2 | (Khawaja 56*, Smith 18*)


STUMPS: The Australians have done a good recovery post losing Burns wicket at the score of 0. David Warner's dismissal was an unfortunate one, but the hosts are looking determined to put up a fight against South Africa, who have been all over the place since the beginning of this Test. With two days remaining, the Test will see a result for sure, unless rain plays spoilsport again. Aussies now trail by 120 runs with 8 wickets remaining. Khawaja looked good today and Australia need a big knock from him tomorrow.



Over 30 | Score 93/2 | (Khawaja 35*, Smith 12*)


After batting so well, Warner perished in the 23rd over, when while trying to work the ball down the leg side, it clipped his elbow and went on to hit the stumps. Unfortunate dismissal for Australia but a huge wicket for Faf and his men. Skipper Smith comes to the crease. He was unbeaten on 48 as wickets tumbled from the other end in the first innings and he will once again have to steady his team's sinking ship.


DA Warner b Abbott 45 (78b)



Over 20 | Score 71/1 | (Warner 38*, Khawaja 32*)


Australia will take a lot of confidence from the way these two have batted so far. The two left-handers are timing the ball from the middle of the bat. South Africa missed out an opportunity when Khawaja edged one towards the slip cordon, where the ball sailed over Dean Elgar, who couldn't see it and went down, much to the disbelief of his team-mates. The partnership for the second wicket is now worth 71 runs.



Over 10 | Score 36/1 | (Warner 23*, Khawaja 12*)


The two left-handers have kept things in control for the Aussies since Burns's departure. The duo has the potential to score big knocks and their team desperately needs them to stitch a big stand to bring them back in game.



Over 3 | Score 14/1 | (Warner 7*, Khawaja 6*)


Adding to Australia's misery, South Africa got a breakthrough in the first over of the second innings when Kyle Abbot dismissed Joe Burns. The batsman chased a ball down the leg side and nicked it behind the wicket. The hosts went for the review and even it could not save Burns. Khawaja is the next man in. With two days remaining in this Test match, Australia need Warner to produce a special innings.



Over 100.5 | Score 326/10 | (Rabada 5*)


The South Africans have been bowled out for 326, which means they have already taken a healthy 241-run lead. The Aussies will be under tremendous pressure considering they were skittled for just 85 in their first innings. De Kock was the highest run-scorer for the team with his stupendous century. Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with a six-wicket haul.



After Day 2 was washed out due to rain, South Africa's wicketkeeper batsman continued his good run in the series with a fighting ton. De Kock, along with Temba Bavuma, added a brilliant 144-run stand for the sixth-wicket partnership. The partnership hurt Australia badly as they were bowled out for just 85 runs in the first innings.


South Africa held an 86-run lead after routing Australia for 85 and reaching stumps on the first day at 171 for five.


Temba Bavuma resumed Day 3 on 38 with Quinton de Kock not out 28.


Vernon Philander powered the Proteas with five for 21 and was supported by recalled paceman Kyle Abbott who took three for 41.


It was Australia`s lowest total at home against South Africa to revive memories of recent catastrophic batting collapses.


The capitulation revisited the nightmares of their miserable 47 in Cape Town in 2011 and England`s demolition of them for 60 at Trent Bridge last year.


Monday`s weather forecast was for a few showers.