The Free Press Journal

Australia stumbles in reply to South Africa’s 488

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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.

Australia’s three replacemen­t batsmen failed on a disastrous day for the tourists in the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

South Africa, leading the series 2-1, need only to draw to beat Australia in a home series for the 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 nought 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.

Usman Khawaja made a stroke-filled 53 as he and first time Shaun Marsh delayed South Africa’s progress with a fourth-wicket stand of 52.

But wicketkeep­er Quinton de Kock, standing up to the wicket, made an outstandin­g leg-side catch off the bowling of Vernon Philander to dismiss Khawaja.

Philander finished the day with three for 17 off 12 overs.

Earlier, Temba Bavuma was on 95, within sight of his second Test century, when Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins took two wickets with successive balls to finish off South Africa's first innings.

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