Australia on top, thanks to Cummins

CAPE TOWN: Dean Elgar scored an unbeaten century but an excellent spell of bowling from Australia seamer Pat Cummins restricted South Africa to 266 for eight at the close of play on the opening day of the third test at Newlands yesterday.

South Africa had been cruising to a big firstinnings total at 220 for two as Elgar and AB de Villiers put on 128 for the third wicket.

But the return of Cummins, who took four for 64, to the attack resulted in the seamer taking four for 12 in eight overs, starting with the wicket of De Villiers, who made 64, to rip through the home side’s middle order.

South Africa lost six wickets for 37 runs as fortunes swung in favour of the visiting side in the final session.

Elgar, who was dropped on 54 off a simple chance for Nathan Lyon at point, was on 121 not out and Kagiso Rabada on six.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat, losing opener Aiden Markram early for a duck as he edged Josh Hazlewood, who took two for 37, to a diving Steve Smith at second slip with the score on six.

Elgar and Hashim Amla, who made 31, added a patient 86 for the second wicket before the latter attempted a hook off Hazlewood, but topedged the stroke to Cummins at fine leg.

Elgar and De Villiers turned the tide in South Africa’s favour with some excellent strokeplay, but when De Villiers mistimed a drive to David Warner at mid off, it set off a collapse that has put Australia in pole position.

Home captain Faf du Plessis, who made five, and Temba Bavum, who scored one, were both caught by Smith off Cummins, before Quinton de Kock got an underedge to the Australian paceman and was caught by wicketkeeper Tim Paine for three. — Reuters