Aussies chasing 127 for day-night Test win

Australia beat South Africa by seven wickets in the day-night third Test in Adelaide on Sunday.

The umpires called for an early end to the first session at Adelaide Oval, leaving South Africa two full sessions to bat on day three.

Smith went public with his feelings of humiliation at the innings and 80-run defeat in the second test in Hobart, which gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and triggered an overhaul of the side. “It’s wonderful to have all those varieties available to you but then it’s also up to the captain to see how to use it”, said “Man of the Series” Philander, who bagged just two wickets in day-night match. “It’s been great to have these guys come in, create that energy and have that hunger and character about them to want to win and fight”.

South Africa are by no means out of this game but will need something exceptional from Quinton de Kock and the tail if they are to become the first team to whitewash Australia on these shores.

Two of the new batsmen – 20-year-old opener Matt Renshaw and No. 5 Peter Handscomb – were at the crease when Australia won the third test late Sunday.

“The ICC is disappointed that Faf du Plessis has chosen not to accept the findings of Match Referee Andy Pycroft and will instead exercise his right to appeal”, the world governing body said in a statement.

Usman Khawaja was the Player of the Match for his ton in the first innings.

Peter Handscomb came through with a really timely half-century when batting was tough on Friday night, and Matthew Renshaw clearly doesn’t get too anxious about things if his second innings that guided us to a win is an indication.

At the close on the second day in Adelaide, the Australians were 307 for six in reply to the Proteas’ 259 for nine declared, with Khawaja unbeaten on 138 off 285 balls and Mitchell Starc not out 16.

That is not to say that Khawaja’s runs came easily.

Total of 7 players made their debut in this series from both the sides: Mennie, Ferguson, Handscomb, Renshaw, Maddinson, Keshav Maharaj and Shamsi’s debut was such instance in a series between Australia and South Africa since 1957-58.

So we have to learn about the ways they make people laugh, because that’s so important in a high pressure sporting environment and the challenge is for us to learn as much as we can about them.

Amla went on the attack and appeared to be racing toward a 32nd test half century before he fell to Josh Hazlewood for 45, and South Africa slipped to 82-2.

The Australians will now play three limited-overs internationals against New Zealand then host Pakistan in a three-test series which starts December 15 with a day-night match in Brisbane.

“There is an opportunity for us tomorrow to try and capitalise on a big partnership to try and push us up past 180-200 lead, ” team batting coach Neil McKenzie said.