Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Mohit: "What's a "Cricinfo bunker"?" Just the inbox, saw the phrase during a live blog from Alagappan Muthu once and I've been oddly smitten by it since.

11:48am: Nortje and Ngidi are in smiles as they talk with Maharaj while leaving the field. Andrew McGlashan, in the Cricinfo bunker says, 'a decent chance this finishes today. South Africa could get rolled for 130-150 and Aus knock off the runs tonight". And that does seem plausible but the visitors have done well to fight back after Green started well and Head continued to further the flow from yesterday. Carey's 22 is handy for Australia. Rabada has been expensive but helped knock over the tail. Ngidi bowled wonderfully and arguably opened the door for Rabada to do his thing. The lead is 66. Australia ahead for now. Whether Elgar and co can fight back, we'll find out. But the situation offers a good thought experiment for now.

50.3
W
Rabada to Lyon, OUT, Chipped, ballooned actually and mid-off runs in. Slides in and takes it Was a length ball that Lyon tried to drive although the bat face did close, so maybe he was looking to clip it.

NM Lyon c van der Dussen b Rabada 0 (9m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

50.2
0
Rabada to Lyon, no run, Length in the channel, Lyon shadow bats and gets the perfect straight drive. But the ball beats the outside edge.
50.1
1
Rabada to Carey, 1 run, Single off the first ball as Carey clips the fullish ball to deep fine

Ponting just said on Seven "Talking to some of the Australian batters today, they felt this was one of the toughest Test wickets they have ever batted on." pings Alex Malcolm

END OF OVER:
50 | 3 Runs | AUS: 217/9

  • Nathan Lyon0 (2b)
  • Alex Carey21 (29b)
  • Lungi Ngidi9-1-35-1
  • Kagiso Rabada17-1-75-3

"Don't think this is anywhere near even. South Africa are going to have to battle to get anywhere over 200 and even then they are gonna need more than that. The 4th innings factor doesn't really play much of a part when it's going to be on day 2 or 3" reckons sam

49.6
0
Ngidi to Lyon, no run, Peach beats Lyon for pace and maybe some away movement too. Fullish length just outside off, Lyon went for the off drive.
49.5
1
Ngidi to Carey, 1 run, Short and wide, kind of ramps a square drive. It falls well in front of deep-backward point but Ngidi isn't happy with the effort.
49.4
0
Ngidi to Carey, no run, Pitched up just outside off in the early 130 kph range, which is where Ngidi's bowling generally, check driven to the bowler.

Australia 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st8UT KhawajaDA Warner
2nd1DA WarnerM Labuschagne
3rd10SPD SmithM Labuschagne
4th5TM HeadM Labuschagne
5th11M LabuschagneC Green