South Africa closed day three of the deciding Test against Australia on 140-4 at Newlands, leading by just 40 runs with six wickets remaining.
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The Proteas erased a 100-run first-innings deficit but lost four top-order wickets along the way, leaving their middle and lower order with considerable work to do on Friday.
Marques Ackerman again provided resistance, following his first-innings 95 with another half-century. He reached fifty from 64 deliveries, striking seven boundaries, and helped South Africa recover after two early setbacks.
Aiden Markram departed for one, driving Mitchell Starc to Travis Head at mid-off. David Bedingham followed for 11, caught off Josh Hazlewood after again taking on the short ball, leaving the hosts 31-2.
Ackerman and Temba Bavuma took South Africa to tea on 53-2 and continued their recovery into the final session. Their partnership added 64 before Australia struck again with the deficit almost cleared.
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Starc had Ackerman caught by Cameron Green for 62. Lyon later bowled Bavuma for 35, leaving Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton together.
Bavuma’s dismissal at 131-4 came in the penultimate over, denying South Africa the chance to finish the day with their captain still at the crease. The hosts added nine further runs before stumps.
Earlier, South Africa’s bowlers had kept Australia’s advantage within reach after the visitors resumed on 330-4.
Josh Inglis progressed from his overnight 85 to 102, completing his second Test century before edging Simon Harmer to wicketkeeper Rickelton. Alex Carey made 80 before Harmer had him caught by Markram.
Kagiso Rabada then trapped Pat Cummins lbw for a duck, while Gerald Coetzee removed Starc for 11, caught behind, to send Australia into lunch on 411-8.
The final two wickets fell shortly after the interval. Wiaan Mulder had Lyon caught by Harmer before Marco Jansen completed a sharp return catch to dismiss Cooper Connolly for 29.
Harmer finished with 4-104, and Jansen claimed 3-60, with Australia dismissed for 429.
That fightback allowed South Africa to put pressure back on the tourists. Their four wickets before the close, however, mean the first task on Friday will be extending a slender advantage into a target their bowlers can defend.
Featured image: Instagram/@tembabavuma
Originally published by SA Cricket Magazine.
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