Steady Australia close in on consolation win

That set Australia just 127 for victory and David Warner (47) made a blistering start on day four.

In his test debut at the Adelaide Oval in 2012, du Plessis salvaged a draw for South Africa when he faced 376 balls in an unbeaten 110 on the last day, swinging the momentum of that series. Overall, this is Australia’s 51st win over South Africa.

This left Renshaw (34 not out) and skipper Steve Smith to take their time and see the side home, though Smith was out for 40 with just two runs to go.

Ten wickets fell after Australia resumed at 307-6 on Saturday, starting with Usman Khawaja’s dismissal for 145. The series was gone and lost but they managed to save face with a victory to make the series scoreline more pleasing to the eye at 2-1.

Chief selector Rod Marsh retired, and five players were discarded.

He was unable to add any more in the five further deliveries he faced before Starc got one to nip back in and bowl him for 104 to bring an end to the innings.

Despite not being at the top of their game in Adelaide after outplaying the Aussies in Perth and Hobart, du Plessis was proud of his team’s performances in the series. “They showed a bit of fight, character and resilience”. Take the last round of the Shield where Renshaw sealed his baggy green with a dogged century before making 50 at close to a run a ball in the second innings when quick runs were required.

“He didn’t seem fazed by it all”.

“I didn’t know the coach said that”.

Du Plessis is South Africa’s hero, Australia’s villain was posted in Sports of TheNews International – https://www.thenews.com.pk on November 28, 2016 and was last updated on November 28, 2016.

“We have done it to Australia before, where we’ve knocked them over”.

Stephen Cook became 6th South African opener to score hundred in Australia after Billy Zulch, Eddie Barlow, Gary Kirsten, Graeme Smith and Dean Elgar. “It’s hardest when you’re under pressure to score a big innings like that”.

Du Plessis was delighted with the way the pace bowling unit of Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott had “stepped up” in the absence of Steyn.

“It obviously spurred Faf on in the first innings”, McKenzie said of the booing.

A gamble on youth has bought some time, though, after a seven-wicket win over South Africa.

Although du Plessis admitted that the lights need to be upgraded dramatically in the country to suit the pink ball, he believes that it would add something different to the Test cricket.

South Africa thought they had taken Renshaw’s wicket in the second over of Australia’s chase – caught by Hashim Amla in the slips off Philander – but replays showed there was no contact with the bat.

The Australians have a three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home next month before a three-Test series against Pakistan starting December 15, in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.