South Africa on top after day 3
South Africa are firmly in control on day 3 of the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The Proteas finished on 134/3 with an overall lead of 401, and with seven wickets still in hand, the South Africans will be looking to pile on the misery tomorrow.
It was a day which started off well for the Aussies, as Tim Paine and Pat Cummins denied the South African attack any early breakthroughs in the morning session. With overcast conditions and Australia reeling at 110-6, South Africa would have been looking to end things early and possibly enforce the follow-on.
However, Paine and Cummins combined to lead the Australian fightback, and put on a defiant 99-run stand to deny the South Africans any early wickets. While the day belonged to South Africa, the morning undoubtedly belonged to Australia.
The stand between Cummins and Paine was the highest for the tourists in the series, and they played the South African bowling well to ensure that they added some respectability to the Australian total.
South Africa's morning went from bad to worse when fast bowler Morne Morkel went off the field with a side strain, leaving him unable to bowl for the rest of the innings. The big man was on the field after lunch, however, it is unlikely that he will play any further role in the Test match.
Cummins was given out lbw to Maharaj upon review shortly after reaching his maiden Test 50, leaving Paine to bat with the rest of the tail. At a time when Australia are desperately looking for new leadership, Paine stepped up to the task perfectly as he struck a magnificent 62 to help Australia to a respectable 221 all out after a stunning catch from Dean Elgar dismissed the Australian captain.
The South Africans will be looking to score some quick runs tomorrow morning and possibly put the Australians in shortly before lunch as they march toward what would be a record series win against Australia on South African soil. With Elgar at the crease on an unbeaten 39 and du Plessis joining him on an unbeaten 34, the South Africans will be looking to put the game well beyond the reach of the Australians.