AUSSIE LOSE FOUR WICKETS

EMERGING South African 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 yesterday. Set an intimidating victory target of 539, the home side were wobbling on 169 for four 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 midair. 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. South Africa’s massive total was underpinned by 141 from Duminy and 127 from Dean Elgar. The pair put on 250 for the third wicket as part of a remarkable comeback by the tourists after their disappoint