S Africa push lead past 500 against Australia

Set a huge victory target of 539, Australia were dismissed in their second innings for 361 on the final day as they succumbed to their fourth straight Test defeat.

On debut, he made an unbeaten half-century as the Proteas memorably chased down 414 against Australia on the last day at the WACA in 2008.

Usman Khawaja is on 58, while Marsh is 15. Mitchell Marsh, under pressure to justify his ongoing position in a Test top six, was on 15. I was making him understand how important Test cricket is for a player. Australia’s task was monumental. He also showed much-improved technique in dealing with short-pitched deliveries aimed at the body and all South Africans will be hoping that he will take this form forward on a consistent basis. “There is no period in the game you get to rest …”

David Warner and Shaun Marsh, whose sparkling 158-run opening stand preceded a collapse of 10-86 in Australia’s first innings, were both dismissed in the 13th over. “So I’ll probably have to take the time this time and let it heal properly”. He has shared century opening stands in each of the past three Tests against South Africa, after he put on 126 and 123 with Chris Rogers in the last two Tests of the 2013-’14 series.

“We know stranger things can happen at the end of Test matches if you drag them out until late in day five”, Siddle said, having delivered 63.5 overs in that memorable match. Bavuma’s effort, brilliant though it was, simply ensured the match was not carried off in some unforeseen direction by Warner. South Africa lead by 388 runs. In the end it was Temba Bavuma who claimed his maiden Test wicket, showing that he has as golden an arm as Duminy when it comes to breaking stands.

This seemed to contribute to Steve Smith’s reluctance to bowl Lyon at all during the morning session and sparingly thereafter.

Khawaja survived a verdict of out the very next ball – given caught behind though the ball clipped pad, not bat – and the left-hander survived another life when Hashim Amla grounded a sharp chance low to his right as Rabada again excelled.

This was as fine an innings as Duminy has played for South Africa.

“We let ourselves down yesterday, to get only two runs in front was not good enough, the batters didn’t do the job”, he said. It certainly depleted the energy reserves of the Australian bowlers who toiled without any success.

Resuming on 390 for six, South Africa eventually declared on 540 for eight, with De Kock going on to make 64 and Vernon Philander 73, while Maharaj chipped in with a 34-ball 41.

Smith looked set on 34 until Rabada finally got his length right and found a bit of outswing in a lovely delivery that caught a fine edge off the bat and carried to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.