South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test Day 4: Australia have handed South Africa a 417 run target. (Source: AP)
South Africa were reduced to 293/9 in the 417-run chase in Durban. The hosts had a terrible start to the chase when they were left tottering at 136/5. Opener Aiden Markram and wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock scripted South Africa’s comeback in the game after compiling a partnership of 147 runs for the sixth wicket. Mitchell Marsh then got rid off Markram who struck a brilliant 143 before he was out caught behind. Later, Mitchell Starc went through South Africa’s lower order. Australia now need one wicket to go 1-0 up in the series.
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South Africa end Day 4 at 293/9 in Durban. The play was stopped due to Bad lights. Australia now need one wicket to take the lead in the series.
An exceptional comeback from Australia. Mitchell Starc got his side back in the hunt and they now need one wicket to go ahead in the series.
WICKET! Another one and that's the ninth wicket that has gone down. Starc castles Rabada. South Africa are 290/9
South Africa lose wickets in quick succession. Mitchell Starc cleans up Keshav Maharaj for a golden duck. South Africa are struggling at 290/8
Mitchell Marsh picks the most important wicket of the innings. He has Aiden Markram caught behind and the right-hand batsman will certainly take the longest walk back to the pavilion. He is surely disappointed. Markram goes for 143, South Africa are 283/6
This has been a remarkable recovery from South Africa. Both Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock have shown their mettle here against a formidable Australian bowling line up.
Aiden Markram completed his ton with a single while Quinton de Kock brought up his half-century with a boundary. This has been a brilliant partnership by the two batsmen. South Africa needed someone to stay with Markram at the crease. They still have an uphill task left but De Kock and Markram have resisted well.
Aiden Markram moves into the 90s with a couple. He has been the lone warrior in this innings for South Africa.
Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock are out in the middle. This is the last recognised batting pair for South Africa and they still need 250 runs to win this first Test. Australia have dominated this Test match
WICKET! Australia finally have a breakthrough. Josh Hazlewood removes Theunis de Bruyn for 36 after he has been caught behind by Tim Paine. South Africa lose their fifth and are now 136/5
Aiden Markram and De Bruyn have shown some resistance against this formidable Australian bowling line up. They were 49/4 at one stage with AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis back in the hut.
Hundred up for South Africa in the second innings. It's a very lucky boundary for De Bruyn! It's short and has bounced a bit extra at which the batsman flashes hard. There is no timing on that and it takes upper edge and between the keeper and slip for four!
Back live from the second session of the game. South Africa are struggling in the middle and are 63 for the loss of four wickets. They need 354 more runs to win this game and if they want to draw it, they need to play out the remaining five sessions.
LUNCH! South Africa go into Lunch at 63/4 needing 354 runs more to win. Markram unbeaten on 38, Theunis de Bruyn is on 2. Australia have AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Dean Elgar dismissed in single digits
BOWLED! Big gap between bat and pad for Faf du Plessis and Cummins breaches it to topple the off stump. Third ball of the day for Cummins and he strikes already. Seams into Faf's defence and the seam movement finds the gap to uproot the off stump. South Africa: 49/4
MAYDAY! MAYDAY! South Africa's ship is sinking and it is sinking fast. Mix-up and AB de Villiers is run out for a duck. Nudged towards backward square leg by Markram off Lyon, AB goes for the run and is asked to go back by Markram. Warner fires the throw at the non-striker's end. Lyon collects and removes the bails. Big celebrations by Australia and rightly so too. AB dived to get back but had lost balance before reaching the crease. That dive, desperation and falling short sort of signifies this Test for South Africa. South Africa are 39/3
GONE! Hazlewood has the measure of Amla once again. Brought into attack, Hazlewood does the job for the skipper. Sixth time he's dismissed Amla in last 7 innings. Given out leg before, Amla opts to review. Good length ball just outside off by Hazlewood and it seams in sharply. Amla tried to play a cross-batted flick towards the on-side. No bat involved here. On to ball tracker. The impact is in line, pitched in line and it is going on to clip the stumps. Umpire's call and the decision stands. Another close decision that hasn't gone South Africa's way. Their troubles mounting! South Africa are 39/2
GONE! Mitchell Starc strikes! Elgar edges it behind to the keeper. Australia get the first. SA need 388 more to win
Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram open for South Africa. The hosts need big stands to take this into the fifth day and prolong the contest as much as possible. Mitchell Starc has the ball.
Australia have been bowled out for 227 with Cummins the last wicket to fall. Maharaj finishes with four in the second innings and nine wickets in the match. Inside edge and clips the side of the leg stump. Cummins goes for 26.
SOUTH AFRICA TO CHASE 417 RUNS TO WIN FIRST TEST
Thumping hit from Cummins to a tossed up delivery from Maharaj. Goes over the mid-wicket region with a well timed hit and only a spectator can go fetch it.
Flat and outside off by Maharaj to Hazlewood, the Aussie goes for a sweep and misses it. Appeal for leg before but the umpire says not out. Faf decides to review regardless. No bat on it but it has hit well outside the line of off stump. Poor review and South Africa are now out of reviews
Underway on the fourth day in Durban. Cummins and Hazlewood come out to bat for Australia. Morkel has the ball. Australia lead by 402 runs with one wicket in hand
Play was called off early on Day 3 due to bad light. While we won't be starting early on Day 4 to cover up but we're set to see 98 overs bowled today - 15 minute extension to second and third session of play.
Helloa dn Good Afternoon for our live coverage of the opening Test between South Africa and Australia with the action on to Day 4. One team well ahead of the other in this game but still lots to do for both. South Africa are not ones to give up - never have. Especially against Australia. A sidenote, Dean Elgar will bat today despite an injury scare.