Australia vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 4 - 5 Talking Points

The first Test between Australia and South Africa at Perth was completely under the control of the visitors at the end of day 3. They had a lead of 388 runs with 4 wickets in hand at the start of day 4 and it was the question of when they would declare the innings. The overnight batsmen Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander made a brisk start to the day looking to extend the lead further.

There were speculations that anything above 400 would be sufficient to defend in the last innings but the South Africans went on and on and there were no signs of declarations in the first session. Both batsmen got to their fifties and when Philander got out just after lunch, they finally declared the innings at 540/7 having a mammoth lead of 538 runs.

Chasing an improbable 539 to win, Warner started in his typical style and hit some delightful strokes. After a half-century partnership for the first wicket, both the openers departed in the 13th over. Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith held on for a while but Kagiso Rabada’s excellent spell of bowling kept hurting Australia’s hopes who ended the day at 169/4.

Here are the 5 major talking points as South Africa inched closer to victory:

1. Philander-de Kock onslaught:

Starting the day at 390/6, de Kock and Philander began cautiously and defended for the first few overs. But after getting their eyes in, both went after the bowling especially de Kock looked in a sublime form and backed up his first innings half-century with another one in the second.He scored 64 runs off 100 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes before holing out to Mitchell Marsh in the 147

He scored 64 runs off 100 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes before holding out to Mitchell Marsh in the 147th over. The partnership for the 7th wicket of 116 runs ended with his departure. Philander carried on from there and scored 73 runs off 143 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes.

2. Reluctance to declare:

It was expected that South Africa would bat for close to an hour on day 4 and would give the Australians a target of around 450 runs to chase. But contrary to that, they went on even after the dismissal of de Kock when they had a lead of 466 runs. They batted the whole first session and collected 118 runs. And to everyone’s surprise, they continued after lunch as well.When Philander was trapped in front by Steven Smith in the 4

When Philander was trapped in front by Steven Smith in the 4^th over after lunch, they called off the innings at 540/7. The hesitation to declare the innings had much to with the absence of Dale Steyn and the pitch that was still playing decently for the batsmen.

3. A flying Bavuma:

The day 4 witnessed one of the most spectacular pieces of fielding ever courtesy Temba Bavuma. David Warner had started well and shown ominous signs with his power hitting. In the 13th over, Warner dabbed the ball towards extra cover off the back foot and ran towards the non-striker’s end for a quick single.

Bavuma from the point pounced on the ball and threw the ball completely off the ground and the throw was bang on target. Warner was shell shocked as he found himself short of the crease and South Africa struck a huge blow which was followed by Shaun Marsh’s departure in the same over.

4. Rabada led the attack:

After Dale Steyn sustained a shoulder injury in the first innings and was ruled out of the Test series, South Africa needed someone to stand up. The 21-year-old Rabada took up the responsibility and was on the charge throughout the day’s play. He first removed Shaun Marsh and then came back to claim the prized scalps of the Aussie skipper Smith and Adam Voges.

All the  three dismissals were caught behind which shows the line and lengths that he hit. He kept nagging away outside off and forced the batsmen to play. He was consistently bowling mid- 140s even under the scorching sun and took South Africa closer to the victory.

5. Khawaja’s fighting knock:

The left-hander walked in after the removal of Warner and witnessed another setback when Marsh walked back quickly. He was then joined by the Smith and the duo had a steady partnership of 92 runs for the 3rd wicket before the captain was dismissed.

Khawaja looked unperturbed by the fall of wickets at the other end and showed that there are still runs on offer if you are prepared to dig in. He reached his half-century in the 46th over and stayed unbeaten at the end of day’s play at 58. His presence will be pretty vital on the last day for Australia’s hopes of saving the Test.