Australia batsmen flop as South Africa turn on heat
JOHANNESBURG:Australia’s balltampering scandal came back to bite them when three replacement batsmen failed on a disastrous day for the tourists in the fourth Test against South Africa at Wanderers on Saturday.
South Africa moved closer to a series win as Australia slumped to 110 for six at the end of the second day in reply to the imposing first-innings total of 488 made by the hosts.
South Africa, leading the series 2-1, need only to draw to beat Australia in a home series for the first time since 1969/70.
Opening batsmen Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw were out for four and eight respectively while Peter Handscomb was out first ball for naught to leave Australia reeling at 38 for three.
The trio were playing in place of Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and captain Steve Smith, who were all banned and sent home in disgrace after the ball-tampering scandal which rocked the third Test in Cape Town last weekend. Vernon Philander finished with three for 17 off 12 overs.
It was South Africa’s day from the time Temba Bavuma and De Kock weathered a tricky period against a ball that was almost new after resuming at 313 for six. Bavuma made 95 not out and shared partnerships of 85 with De Kock (39) and 76 with Maharaj (45).
Brief scores: South Africa 1st inngs 488 (A Markram 152, T Bavuma 95*, AB de Villiers 69; P Cummins 5-83) vs Australia 110-6 (U Khawaja 53; V Philander 3-17)