Khawaja leads Australia to 124-run innings lead over South Africa

Abbott was the best of South Africa’s bowlers with an economical 3 for 49 off 29 overs with Rabada claiming 3 for 84. “And to do it three times in a row [in Australia] is a huge effort”.

Meanwhile, it was a great moment for the debutants – Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb as they remained unbeaten in the Test with the latter hitting the winning runs.

He also delivered three or four of his inspirational speeches during the Test, and in a week that Nugget also received Honorary Life Membership from the South Australian Cricket Association, it was fantastic that we could celebrate a win with him.

New caps Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson came into the batting order and Matt Wade was recalled at wicketkeeper in place of Peter Nevill.

Cricket South Africa said in a statement yesterday he would appeal the decision, which prompted the ICC to respondbefore the second day’s play.

Australia can sniff a drought-breaking win after embattled off-spinner Nathan Lyon snapped his awful run of form by landing crucial blows late in Adelaide on Saturday.

However Australia regrouped, with Starc adding a few useful blows en route to a seventh Test half-century, pushing the lead up to 98 before falling for 53.

Smith hailed Man of the Match Usman Khawaja as “magnificent” for his innings of 145, Australia’s only century of the series, particularly as he was forced to step in as an opener for David Warner after South Africa’s sudden first-day declaration.

Lyon has now passed Clarrie Grimmett, leaving Richie Benaud and Shane Warne as the only spinners to have taken more Test wickets for Australia. This is the fifth lowest strike-rate by an Australian batsman on his debut after facing 150 or above balls, after Percy Hornibrook (44 runs at 19.81 in 1929), Ashley Mallett (43 runs at 21.93 in 1968), John Watkins (39 runs at 23.49 in 1973) and John Dyson (57 runs at 23.84 in 1977).

South Africa meanwhile took the series 2-1.

However, Australia removed Kagiso Rabada (7) and Cook in quick succession to bowl out South Africa for 250.

Du Plessis became first captain to score a ton in a day-night Test.

It was the first time du Plessis had been dismissed in Adelaide in 566 balls.

Looking at the wider picture, Smith was understandably delighted to have snapped a five-match losing run ahead of the next home series against Pakistan.

Khawaja is Renshaw’s state captain, and spoke with a similar level of warmth for someone who has set himself up with a Test match method in mind.

Kyle Abbott admitted that South Africa were left underwhelmed by the pink ball’s activity after Australia built a first-innings lead over the tourists in Adelaide.

Standing in as skipper for the injured AB de Villiers and without pace spearhead Dale Steyn for all but a day and a half of the campaign, the 32-year-old batsman delivered a 2-1 series triumph that sent Australia plummeting into crisis.