Proteas remain in control despite Tim Paine heroics
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa moved into a powerful position despite a fightback by Australia and an injury to fast bowler Morne Morkel on the third day of the fourth Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
South Africa finished the day on 134 for three in their second innings, an overall lead of 401.
The Proteas, leading the series 2-1, need only to draw to beat Australia in a home series for the first time since 1969/70.
But Australia provided the fight that had been promised the previous evening by bowling coach David Saker.
From a seemingly hopeless overnight total of 110 for six, they added another 111 runs before being bowled out.
South Africa did not enforce the follow on, with doubts about the ability of Morkel to bowl because of a side strain.
Australia’s bowlers then restricted the hosts to a run rate of 2.4 in the second innings.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
New captain Tim Paine set the example in the morning. Despite batting with a hairline fracture of his right thumb, he made a defiant 62 before being last man out.
South Africa did not attempt to force the pace in the second innings, although Aiden Markram again struck the ball crisply in making 37 off 56 balls.
With a 2-1 lead in the series and only three fully-fit frontline bowlers, South Africa may have wanted not only to build an indomitable lead but to use up time.
Markram’s innings took him to exactly 1,000 runs in 18 innings in his first ten Tests.
The only South African to reach the mark in fewer innings was former captain Graeme Smith, achieved the feat in 17 innings. Brief scores: South Africa 488 and 134-3 (D Elgar 39*; P Cummins 2-35) vs Australia 221 (T Paine 62, U Khawaja 53, P Cummins 50; V Philander 3-30)