Proteas surge ahead
Markram’s heroics come in handy on bowler-friendly surface
Ahalf-century from South Africa opener Aiden Markram propelled them into a commanding lead over Australia as the home side reached 238 for five at close on the third day of the third Test at Newlands yesterday.
AB de Villiers (batting 51) and Quinton De Kock (batting 29)) extended South Africa’s overall lead to 294 in gloomy conditions and on a wicket that has provided the bowlers with assistance.
Markram’s 84 included a mixture of fine stroke-play and luck, as he was dropped twice in his innings by Usman Khawaja before he had scored and again by Australia captain Steve Smith when he was on 59.
He was out three minutes before the interval though when he chipped a Mitchell Starc (1-35) delivery to Pat Cummins at mid-on.
The only other wicket to fall in the session was that of Hashim Amla (31), who drove seamer Cummins (2-31) to Cameron Bancroft at short mid-wicket.
Elgar, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 141 in the first innings, could not repeat that feat as he was out before lunch, edging Cummins to Steve Smith at slip for 14.
The conduct of Bancroft in the middle session will likely draw greater scrutiny after he was captured by television cameras moving an unknown yellow object from his pocket into his trousers.
Penultimate Test
The television footage also appeared to show him shining the ball before putting something that had been in his hand back in his pocket.
He was spoken to by umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, during which Bancroft showed them a black piece of cloth, and play continued.
South Africa had earlier wrapped up Australia’s first innings when Kagiso Rabada (4-91) had final man Josh Hazlewood caught by Hashim Amla at first slip for 10.
The visitors had added 10 runs to their overnight total of 245-9 to be dismissed for a deficit of 56 on the first innings.
Morne Morkel, who passed 300 Test wickets on Friday, returned figures of 4-87 in what is likely his penultimate test before retirement, while Vernon Philander posted 2-26.
Tim Paine was left stranded on 34 not out, with opener Bancroft topscoring in the innings with 77 as Australia’s wait for a first century in this series goes on.
The four-match series is poised at 1-1, with the final Test to be played in Johannesburg starting on Friday.