South Africa in sight of victory
Perth, Nov. 6: Emerging South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada claimed three crucial wickets as South Africa closed in on victory against Australia on the fourth day of the opening Test in Perth on Sunday.
Set an intimidating victory target of 539, the home side were wobbling on 169/4 at stumps and facing a potential record defeat against South Africa.
Usman Khawaja was on 58 and Mitchell Marsh on 15, with South Africa’s unbeaten record at the ground set to be extended.
An extraordinary piece of fielding by the diminutive Temba Bavuma removed the dangerous David Warner for 35 to end an opening stand of 52.
Warner dropped the ball in front of him and set off for a quick single, but Bavuma pounced from cover and unleashed a powerful throw while horizontal and still in mid-air.
It rattled the stumps at the non-striker’s end with Warner centimetres out of his ground.
The dismissal set the stage for Rabada (3/49) to display his quality in the absence of champion pacemen Dale Steyn due to a shoulder injury suffered on the first day.
Four balls later fellow opener Shaun Marsh (15) was caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis off the bowling of Rabada as Australia suddenly slumped to 52/2.
Things appeared to get even darker for the hosts when new batsman Khawaja was given out caught behind first ball against the part-time spin of J.P. Duminy.
406 Australia’s highest score in the fourthinnings of Tests, which came at Lord’s in 2009. They have been set a target of 539 in this match. 414 3 Highest total in the 4th innings of a Test at Waca, by South Africa in 2008-09 Number of instances of two centuries for visiting team in the third innings of a Test at Waca, including this. Two of those have been by SA; they did the same in 2012.