South Africa vs Australia Highlights, 4th Test Day 1: Aiden Markram Ton Takes Hosts To 313/6 At Stumps vs Australia
Highlights, South Africa vs Australia, 4th Test: The hosts will be aiming to seal off the four-match Test series.
South Africa will aim to take advantage of a scandal-hit Australian team in the fourth and final Test starting at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday. But coach Ottis Gibson has warned that Australia will provide strong opposition, even without the disgraced trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. The Australian bowling unit remains intact but there will be three enforced changes in the batting line-up as the tourists seek to avoid the first series loss in South Africa since Ali Bacher led the team then known as the Springboks to a 4-0 clean sweep in 1969/70. (Scorecard)
South Africa lead the current series 2-1 and captain Faf du Plessis said after his team won the third Test in Cape Town by 322 runs that he was determined to maintain the pressure on his opponents. The loss of Smith and Warner robs Australia of their two leading batsmen - but neither made a major impact in the first three matches. Their replacements, Matt Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell will only have one practice opportunity before the Test, but all three arrive with good recent form in Australia's Sheffield Shield competition.
SA vs AUS 4th Test Highlights
The Australian bowling looked really flat throughout. Only Pat Cummins looked threatening and he finished with his second fifer in Tests. He, however, failed to receive support from the rest. They were out there for around 137 overs and now they will have to put all that behind and try and do the job with the bat. The wicket is good for batting but the scoreboard can make some funny things happen. Can their batting line-up cope without Steven Smith and David Warner? Or will the South African bowling be too hot to handle? Join us for the third and final session to find out.
Everything in this Test has gone the hosts' way right from winning the toss and electing to bat. They stitched 6 stands over fifty with one going over hundred. The platform was set by Aiden Markram with a 150. He, along with the middle order, made sure Australia will be staring at a big first innings score. He was well supported by AB de Villiers as the two built a massive 105-run stand.
Another session which has been dominated by South Africa. They would have been content with something close to 400 but now they have 88 runs more than their liking, courtesy a brilliant stand of 76 between Bavuma and Maharaj. The former was unbeaten on 95 and the latter missed out on his half ton by 5 runs. However, they have ensured Australia now have their job cut out with the bat.
An excellent batting display by South Africa comes to an end. He looks at the heavens in disappointment on missing out on a ton. He however, is welcomed in the dressing room with a standing ovation.
OUT! No he can't! No hundred for Bavuma, no 500 for South Africa. Feel sorry for the little man. However, Cummins finishes with a fifer, his second in Tests and both have come at this venue. He has deserved it as he has been brilliant. He bowls it on a back of a length region around off from round the wicket. Morkel plays inside the line of the delivery but it takes the edge and goes low between first and second slip. Handscomb from the latter position, dives to his right and takes a good catch to end the South African innings at 488! Also, that's TEA ON DAY 2!
Morne Morkel is the last man in. He has 2 balls to play out this over. Can he do it, or will Bavuma be stranded in the 90s on the other end?
OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Who is the man who provides the breakthrough? It is Cummins. He gets his fourth. He bowls it wide outside off, on a shorter length. Maharaj who is going after everything, goes after it with a slash. He plays it well away from his body and gets a thick outside edge to the keeper who takes that. The Australians appeal but Maharaj starts walking even before the finger is raised. End of an entertaining knock by Maharaj and he walks off to a standing ovation. That is the end of the 76-run partnership as well.
A bumper on middle, Bavuma tucks it towards square leg. He completes one but wants a second but is sent back by his partner. Maybe excitement got to him there but he has to cool down. There was never a second there.
Fuller again on off, Maharaj drives it towards cover where the fielder makes a half stop and concedes a run.
Pat Cummins who is now into the attack, bowls it fuller on off, Bavuma drives it towards cover for a run.