Bowlers lead SA fightback
Abbott breaks key partnership to keep Proteas hopes alive in third Test
NOT for the first time in this series South Africa found their inner mongrel to launch a late fightback, this time with the pink ball in this utterly engrossing final Test here at the Adelaide Oval.
The visiting pacemen have had matters almost entirely their own way during this series, but on another glorious day of Test cricket at this most picturesque of venues they were forced not only to rely on skill, but also grit and determination to stay in the contest.
It was almost as if they could hear Eye of the Tiger – the theme song of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky III – playing through the loudspeakers all day, because as a unit they got up off the canvas to strike a few late but hefty blows under the Adelaide night sky.
It was certainly needed because Australia’s batsmen had slowly, carefully and skilfully restored the craft of Test-match batting. After all the pre-match talk of the exaggerated swing of the pink ball, the South African bowling unit found it to be hogwash, with the Kookaburra being well behaved all day.
“We did expect it to do a lot more,” said Proteas seamer Kyle Abbott.
“Even in the warm-up game that we had and the net sessions, it certainly did do a bit.
“To be fair, there are periods of the game where it does a bit. I think it’s more nip off the seam than actual swing. I don’t think it has lived up to its hype and expectation.”
But this should take nothing away from a magnificent hardnosed century from Usman Khawaja.
Thrust unwillingly into the opener’s role after David Warner was unable to bat the previous evening because of being too long off the field, the stylish left-hander played the sort of innings his team have craved all series.
Khawaja defended well, left well, drove well and pulled well. It was simply good Testmatch batting.
“He played very well,” Abbott said.
“He was really in his bubble today and didn’t let us penetrate it. Guys of high quality aren’t going to give you chances. He didn’t give us any chances. All credit to him.
“It’s tough but we beat the bat on enough occasions. Some days those find the edges and some days they don’t.
“We’re going to have another crack at him again tomorrow for the third time.”
Khawaja’s running, however, was not that flash because of a mix-up with captain Steve Smith (59 off 113 balls) after the pair had put on 137 for the Australian third wicket.
It was the second-highest partnership the home side had put together all series after David Warner’s and Shaun Marsh’s 158-run opening stand at the Waca in the first Test.
A distinct lack of partnerships has been the home side’s undoing during this series, and Smith would have been pleased that Khawaja and debutant Peter Handscomb (54 off 78 balls) were able to string together another 99-run partnership after his dismissal.
Handscomb was very impressive in his maiden Test innings. He played with plenty of intent and looked to keep the scoreboard moving for the entire duration of his time at the crease.
A pull shot off Vernon Philander that sped to the midwicket boundary to bring up his half-century was indicative of the new energy he has brought to this ailing Australian team.
“There’s definitely a bit of a hunger factor in there. It was noticeable,” said Abbott.
“Handscomb came in and played very nicely on debut. When it comes to guys fighting for their places and coming in, it’s going to cause a bit of resistance.
“It’s still new in terms of how to bowl to them, too.”
But just when the home side had taken the lead, still with seven wickets remaining in the shed, the South Africans clawed themselves back into the contest with three wickets under lights.
Abbott, who was South Africa’s most penetrative bowler throughout the day, engineered the much-needed breakthrough for the visitors when he sent a full delivery clattering into Handscomb’s off stump to add to his two earlier wickets.
Fellow debutant Nic Maddison did not enjoy a similarly fruitful debut, Kagiso Rabada rifling in a yorker to send him packing for a duck.
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade also fell cheaply, unable to resist the temptation of nibbling at a Vernon Philander away-swinger shortly afterwards.
To Australia’s credit, though, they did not crumble like they have been doing all series. Instead they battled away until the close, with the possibility of a strong lead keeping them motivated.