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Australia vs South Africa 2016: 3rd Test Day 2 - 5 talking points

Khawaja is unbeaten on 138 runs

A sensational hundred from Usman Khawaja enabled Australia to dominate a day's play in the series for the first time since Day 1 of the Perth Test. The partnership between Smith and Khawaja laid the foundation for a good batting display against some sharp bowling by the Proteas.

Once Smith departed, Khawaja was ably supported by debutant, Peter Handscomb, who notched up a fifty himself. A flurry of late wickets under lights with the new ball made the Proteas feel better but Australia sit atop in the Test leading by 48 runs as they finished the day on 307/6.

Some good bowling in the last session may have reduced Australia's dominance of the day's play. But that does not in any way take the sheen off a terrific batting display against some probing bowling by the Proteas, Abbott in particular. 

Here are the talking points from the day's play at Adelaide:


#5 Abbott's dream spell

Australia v South Africa - 3rd Test: Day 2 : News Photo
Handscomb is bowled by an Abbott delivery

Kyle Abbott was certainly South Africa's best bowler at Hobart and on Day 2 at Adelaide, he proved why he is such a destructive bowler to have. He bowled with real intent, inducing edges off debutant Renshaw and the experienced Warner.

At one stage, Abbott's figures read just 9 runs off 10 overs. He found nip and beat the bat quite a few times before finally inducing the edge off Renshaw's bat. If Australia thought he was done, the South African replied with a sharp seaming delivery that nipped a touch away to catch Warner off-guard and edged behind to Elgar for 10.

Abbott continued to bowl superbly throughout the day and finished the day with figures of 35/3 off 22 tidy overs. If Steyn's absence is not felt by the Proteas it is because this man has stepped up admirably.

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