Tea South Africa 152 (Verreynne 64, Lyon 3-14) v Australia

South Africa have been bowled out for below 200 for a fifth successive Test innings. Familiar questions over their weaknesses have been raised but once more by a fired up Australia tempo assault that made use of the Gabba inexperienced prime after Pat Cummins elected to bowl.

Only two of the batters of their XI had beforehand performed a Test in Australia; neither of them had made a Test hundred this 12 months. Only two others have managed centuries on this WTC cycle, and the insecurity and software was obtrusive. Especially towards Australia.

Initially, it appeared as if Australia have been sucked into the pitch mania, however you’d have by no means been capable of guess that wanting on the scorecard.

Dean Elgar was out within the fifth over when he was strangled down the leg facet by a 140kph rib-ticklet from Starc. At the opposite finish, a tentative Erwee took 19 deliveries to get off the mark. With Rassie van der Dussen new to the crease and again from an damage, South Africa appeared caught. That was till van der Dussen drove Starc by way of mid-off to run 4. Erwee adopted go well with with a surprising straight drive, however run-scoring alternatives have been restricted as Australia adjusted their strategy.

In his fifth over, Cummins discovered the fitting line exterior off and compelled van der Dussen to play at a supply within the channel. He was squared up and nicked off. Then, Boland received into the thick of issues. He had Erwee caught low down by Cameron Green within the gully and in the identical over, had Khaya Zondo given out lbw to a supply that rose on him and hit him on the again pad. Zondo reviewed however was out on umpire’s name. South Africa have been lowered to 27 for 4 with the final of the specialist batters on the crease.

All eyes turned to Bavuma, who has not batted in a aggressive sport for the reason that T20 World Cup. Luckily for him, Verreynne’s aggressive instincts got here out early and he tucked into two brief balls from Green, one in every of them with an higher reduce for six. The pair remained pretty frenetic, providing two run-out possibilities early that Australia could not capitalise on. By lunch, South Africa had recovered to 84 for 4 and the Bavuma-Verreynne partnership was value 57. had grown to 57.

After lunch, Verreynne introduced up his half-century with a pull over midwicket whilst Bavuma continued to point out loads of guts.Their stand had reached 98 when Starc received one to maneuver off the seam to have Bavuma inside edging onto the stumps.

South Africa went on to lose their subsequent 5 wickets for 20 runs and solely one in every of them might be referred to as a tender dismissal. Marco Jansen stepped out to hit Lyon over long-on however top-edged and was brilliantly caught by Green operating again from midwicket.

Keshav Maharaj left Starc one away from 300 Test wickets after he was arrange with a bouncer after which dismissed with a full ball that took the sting to second slip. With good bounce on supply, Lyon additionally took out Verreynne, who performed for a flip towards a straight ball and edged behind. He was dismissed for 64.

Then the quick bowlers went on the stroke of tea as Australia drove dwelling the benefit.