South Africa vs Australia: David Warner fell early on Day 3. (Source: Reuters)
Australia ended day’s play at 213/9, lead South Africa by 402. The visitors have been in driver’s in this match. Earlier, AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten 71 – nearly half of South Africa’s tally – in the first innings of the opening Test against Australia at Durban. After two days of play, the advantage in the Test stood firmly in the visitors’ favour as South Africa’s batting collapsed dramatically. Mitchell Starc was the catalyst in ensuring South Africa’s downfall with a fifer to his name. At stumps, South Africa were bowled out for 162 in response to Australia’s 351 to give the Steve Smith-captained side a 189 run lead.
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Australia end day's play at 213/9, lead South Africa by 402 runs in Durban
Bad light stopped play in Durban with Australia at 213/9, lead South Africa by 402. The visitors are dominating this Test match with authority. This lead is surely going to put the Proteas on backfoot
WICKET! South Africa finally get a wicket as Nathan Lyon departs for 2. Aus 209/9, lead by 398
WICKET! Starc tries to go hard on that one from Morkel but is caught by Elgar in Covers. Aus 203/8. Despite losing 8, Australia are still in driver's seat in this Test match
With the tailenders out in the middle, Faf du Plessis has gone for an attacking field. South Africa have stationed fielders at first, second slips and forward short leg region. They clearly want to wrap up Australia's tail
WICKET! Shaun Marsh edges that length delivery from Morkel and De Villiers takes a good catch in the slips. Australia lose seven and are now 185/7
Shaun Marsh is out in the middle with Pat Cummins. Australia are in a strong situation at the stage and would be looking to stretch the lead. Anything above 400 would be an uphill task for the Proteas in the second innings
And it's the end of the second session in Durban. Australia lost their sixth wicket at the stroke of Tea. They now lead by 364 runs with 4 wickets in hand
Game of reviews this. Steve Smith has been given out leg before off Dean Elgar. Not a no ball. Steve Smith went for the sweep and missed the ball completely. No bat on it. Ball tracker now. Pitched in line, impact in line and going on to hit the stumps. Australia lose their review and Smith walks back on 38. Australia are 146/4 and lead by 335 runs
Shaun Marsh has been given not out after a massive appeal for leg before by Kagiso Rabada and fellow South Africa players. Faf checks with Quinton de Kock before going for the review. No problem with it being a no ball. Buuuut it has pitched outside leg. South Africa waste the review
Big, big appeal for lbw on Steve Smith off Keshav Maharaj. S Ravi says not out. Maharaj looks convinced that it is out, Faf obliges and takes the review, The impact is umpire's call and Smith survives. South Africa retain their review. The review checked for the back pad impact and not the front pad when it hit both. On impact with the back pad, Smith is inches outside the line. Graeme Smith, on air, isn't pleased with that decision. Hawk Eye got that all wrong! DRS mistake and Steve Smith bats on from 30 runs
Australia go into the Lunch break at 112/3 and their lead up to 301 runs. Steve Smith on 16 and Shaun Marsh on 4. Plenty for South Africa to do if they are to get something from here. Looks extremely tight!
Keshav Maharaj once again causing trouble! Beautiful delivery from the South Africa spinner. Bancroft comes down the track to a well flighted delivery. It beats the outside edge on its way and De Kock is quick to take off the bails. Quite out of his crease there Bancroft. Walks for 53 and Australia are 108/3, lead by 297 runs
Tossed up by Maharaj to Khawaja who goes for a reverse sweep. Appeal for a glove behind to Quinton de Kock. Umpire believes it is not out. Faf du Plessis goes for the review. And clearly come off the glove, decision is immediately overturned. Second wicket for South Africa. Australia are 71/2 and the lead is up to 260 runs
Finally a ray of hope for the rainbow nation! Rabada with a short delivery outside off, Warner not getting the timing right on the 148kmph delivery. Drags it to the substitute fielder Willem Mulder at wide mid-on. South Africa finally get a reason to smile but way too early to celebrate. Australia are 56/1
Impressive start to play on Day 3 for Australia. David Warner up to 27 and Cameron Bancroft on 28. Australia are 55/0 and the lead has reached 244 runs
Hello and Good Afternoon for our live coverage on Day 3 of the opening Test between South Africa and Australia. The Test is firmly in Australia's favour with a 189 run lead. It would take something really special from the Proteas to avoid defeat from here. Can things change on Day 3? We will find out in about half hour when play begins.