Late strikes keep Australia ahead in Adelaide Test

South Africa opening batsman Stephen Cook’s second Test century could not prevent Australia from claiming a consolation victory in the day/night clash in Adelaide.

There are three newcomers in the top six for Australia, with Renshaw partnering up top with vice-captain Warner, Peter Handscomb at No. 5 and Nic Maddinson at No. 6.

The same South African combination then dismissed David Warner (11) before Khawaja and Smith produced a third-wicket stand of 137 to steady the ship for the hosts.

The classy left-hander, pitched into opening the batting, pushed Australia towards a first-innings lead of 124 runs while spending nearly eight hours at the crease.

Du Plessis, who has scored 1,899 runs in 33 test matches at an average of 41.28, had initially been urged to delay any appeal against the fine so Cricket South Africa could gather further information from the ICC. He was eventually out on the third day, helping Australia to 383 and a first-innings lead of 124.

Australia shook off their recent malaises with the bat as Usman Khawaja’s unbeaten 138 guided them to a first-innings lead in the third Test cricket with South Africa yesterday.

Smith went in next and was in dominant touch but, after being given a reprieve on 46 when he was dropped by Hashim Amla at slip, was run out after being turned back when he pushed toward point and took off for a single.

In another poor use of the DRS, Faf du Plessis chose to review a decision umpire Richard Kettleborough had made against Renshaw.

It was the ninth review in this series involving Englishman Kettleborough, who has a 100 percent success rate.

It had been 277 days since Smith’s team had enjoyed victory in a Test, against New Zealand in Christchurch in the last week of February, and while this one had no impact on the outcome of the series, already secured emphatically by Faf du Plessis’ South Africa, it was one of significance.

Mitchell Starc took the first wicket with his fifth ball and returned to get the big wicket under lights, giving Australia a psychological edge over South Africa when he ended Faf du Plessis’ impregnable run at the Adelaide Oval. He has yet to score a half-century in the series and has been dismissed by Josh Hazlewood five times in the series.

However, before Smith got back to safety, Vernon Philander’s throw found South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock who whipped off the bails. The left-hander chose to review but nearly instantly walked off once replays confirmed the ball was hitting middle stump.

McKenzie said the Proteas were confident that the pair, and the rest of the batting tail, could wag enough to set Australia a challenging run chase.

Smith hooks Philander to mid-wicket for four, and Australia are 52 away.

Kagiso Rabada lasted just nine balls before he edged a leg-side delivery from Hazlewood to a diving Matthew Wade and Cook’s dismissal ended the innings.

“It was a great atmosphere, it’s always a great crowd here in Adelaide whether it’s a red ball or a pink ball, so it’s a great place to play cricket”.