South Africa vs Australia: 3rd Test, Day 1, Review- Visitors storm back with a flurry of wickets

The Test series between South Africa and Australia has been an intensified one thus far. The first game at the Kingsmead in Durban turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Aussies decimated the Proteas to clinch ascendancy in the series. The South Africans defeated Steve Smith’s men and stormed back in the second Test at Port Elizabeth.

The Proteas were dented with a body blow when Kagiso Rabada was banned for the remaining Tests. However, the ban was reversed and he was included for the crucial encounter. Meanwhile, Temba Bavuma also made a comeback following an injury layoff. On a bright and sunny morning, Faf du Plessis had no hesitation whatsoever in electing to bat first.

The domination by Elgar & Co.

The decision backfired as Aiden Markara was nipped out by a graceful out-swinger by Josh Hazlewood. However, Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar brought sanity to the proceedings. The duo stitched together a partnership of 86 runs and set the ball rolling for the Proteas. Meanwhile, South Africa ended the first session handsomely, having lost only a single wicket.

South Africa strolled through, however, Amla became Hazlewood’s second victim when the right-handed batsman holed out to Patrick Cummins, patrolling the fine-leg region. AB de Villiers joined Dean Elgar at the wicket. The Pretoria-born batsman made his intentions clear from the outset. He played some scintillating strokes to churn out useful runs for his team.

Elgar and de Villiers pile on Australia’s agony

After the second session, the advantage lied with the South Africans as de Villiers and Elgar looked ominous for the Australians to take the game away. At the end of the post-lunch session, Elgar stood at the brink of an impressive ton, while de Villiers looked solid for yet another half-century. Meanwhile, the Aussie bowlers gasped for breath and hoped for things to turn around in the next session.

The Post-tea session saw AB de Villiers rack up his 44th half-century in Tests. After a while, Elgar raced away to his 11th Test ton. Both went on their own merry way and racked up a partnership of 128 runs which took the sting out of the Aussie bowlers. However, the Aussies displayed stubbornness and steadfastly turned the tables in Proteas’ favour.

The turnaround

South Africa collapsed frantically following the stupendous partnership as wickets started falling in heaps. The carnage began with de Villiers’ wicket as Cummins induced a false stroke from the right-handed batsman. There was a procession of wickets thereafter as the Aussies got the hosts on the mat. Faf du Plessis became Cummins’ second victim as Steve Smith pouched him in the slips.

The pacer continued wreaking havoc as he dismissed Bavuma a couple of overs later. Meanwhile, Elgar haplessly, watched his teammates capitulate one after the another. Quinton de Kock was Cummins’ fourth victim as the down-slide continued. Mitchell Marsh joined in the party as he scalped Vernon Philander thereafter.

Mitchell Starc added to the wickets column as well when Keshav Maharaj was caught in the covers by Cameron Bancroft. From a position of strength, South Africa was draped in danger of being bowled out after the scintillating start by their top order. They lost six wickets 37 runs in a space of 21 overs. Kagiso Rabada joined Elgar for the ninth wicket and both staved off the final burst by the Australian pacers.

Nevertheless, South Africa can take heart from the fact that Elgar is not out on 121 runs and Rabada is no mug with the bat and is someone who can wield the willow effectively enough. Meanwhile, the Aussies would be hoping to pick a couple of wickets and wrap things up at the earliest. On the other hand, South Africa would want to add some precious runs on the board.

Brief Scores

South Africa 266/8 in 87 overs; Dean Elgar 121*, AB de Villiers 64; Patrick Cummins 4/64, Josh Hazlewood 2/37

Stumps on Day 1