Australia beat South Africa in consolation win in day-night test

Australia beat South Africa by 7 wickets in the day-night test at the Adelaide Oval to avoid a series sweep.

The Proteas, who thrashed Australia in the first two Tests to claim a third consecutive series Down Under, added 56 runs to their overnight lead before they were dismissed for 250 with opener Stephen Cook scoring a defiant century.

Starc finished with four wickets for 80 and spinner Nathan Lyon captured three for 60.

Victory ended Australia’s run of five successive Test defeats, and was their first in any form of cricket since beating Ireland in a one-day worldwide in September.

In an age of renewal for Australia’s Test side under captain Steve Smith, the result was the flawless tonic after two sorry losses in Perth and Hobart, with a team featuring three debutants showing improved spirit and application to pull one back in the series.

At the close, South Africa were holding on and just 70 runs ahead of Australia heading into Sundays fourth day.

“We’ve won the big battles the last two test matches (and) there’s another opportunity for us tomorrow for us to capitalize on a big partnership”, McKenzie said. In a more consistent effort, Australia’s bowling was precise as runs were hard to find for South Africa with Cook and Hashim Amla rebuilding cautiously. Starc ended his innings with figures of 4 for 80.

Starc clubbed his seventh Test half-century with a 91-ball 53 before he was caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada, ending a lively knock that featured five fours and a six.

Australia scored 383 in its first innings, guided by Usman Khawaja’s innings of 145, in reply to South Africa’s 259-9 declared.

“They (Australia) have a bowling attack that will put pressure on you but they need runs on the board to do that – and the first two Tests they didn’t have that”, he said.

The drying up of runs got to JP Duminy (26), who saw his off stump uprooted by Lyon.

Du Plessis chose to review the decision, but it remained as the ball missed the bat by a significant distance.

Du Plessis, booed when he entered and left the field following last week’s ball- tampering saga, was out driving when debutant Peter Handscomb snaffled a low catch at gully.

The new ball brought the next wicket, Starc trapping Vernon Philander, who unsuccessfully reviewed the decision, in front for 17.

After the loss in Hobart, Smith said he was humiliated and embarrassed by Australia’s batting collapses. “We’ve been outplayed in the first two test matches, but to come out here with a new-look team, an inexperienced team, and show some character and some fight and resilience, I think it was a great turnaround”.