Australia’s batters have answered the call after losing only four wickets on the second day in Cape Town and taking a lead against South Africa.
Travis Head and Matt Renshaw started beautifully before Cam Green, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey gave the tourists control of the deciding Test match.
Recap the action from our blog below.
Goodnight!
We got a full 90 overs of play today in a minor Test cricket miracle.
And the Australians will be hoping for more of the same on day three which they will start with a one-run lead and six wickets in hand while Josh Inglis is just 15 runs from a century.
We will be back for the start of day three on Thursday!
KEEP, BENCH, CUT
Marnus Labuschagne was the turd in the punch bowl on an otherwise perfect second day for the Australians in Cape Town as he reached a record low with a four-ball duck.
DETAILS: https://buff.ly/6kih37N
Stumps!
Australia take a lead into stumps as they finish a great day 4-330.
Pat Cummins was so worried about this batting order he bowled first yesterday.
They have answered his lack of faith perfectly!
Inglis goes not out 85 on track for a second Test ton while Carey is unbeaten on 51.
Steve Smith update
Australia expect to have Steve Smith back for the home summer after scans had confirmed joint damage to the vice-captain’s neck in South Africa.
Australian officials confirmed on Wednesday that Smith had undergone scans on Friday, before failing in his bid to play in the third and deciding Test.
Those scans detected an injury to a “cervical facet joint” which connects to the spine and acts to guide and stabilise neck movement.
Australia expect to have Steve Smith back for the home summer after scans had confirmed joint damage to the vice-captain’s neck in South Africa.
Australian officials confirmed on Wednesday that Smith had undergone scans on Friday, before failing in his bid to play in the third and deciding Test.
Those scans detected an injury to a “cervical facet joint” which connects to the spine and acts to guide and stabilise neck movement.
“Due to this and his limited range of motion, he was unfit to participate in the current Test,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“Steve will continue to receive treatment and rehabilitation, with a full return to availability anticipated for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand.”
Smith has six weeks to recover for the first Test against New Zealand, which will begin a long run of virtually uninterrupted cricket through to mid-March.
- AAP
50 more!
Carey reaches the half century with a perfect drive on the up through covers.
He’s played the perfect innings and reaches 50 from 125 balls.
The Australians have cashed in late here as South Africa have pushed too hard for the wicket and offered up boudary balls.
And they now only lead by one!
AUS 4-328
Nightwatcher
If Australia lose a wicket here, Nathan Lyon is padded up to come in next.
Connolly is listed at seven but there’s only 10 minutes of play left in the day.
AUS 4-315
Six more!
Rabada has been smacked for six again!
To be fair, Inglis did not have complete control but he found an empty area even if it had not gone over the rope.
AUS 4-306
300!
Australia have reached 300 and still have six wickets in hand.
Considering Labuschagne got nothing, this is a great effort so far.
The Proteas’ lead is down to 29.
AUS 4-300
Shut up shop
Inglis seems to have been given a message.
He’s now leaving almost everything.
We are inside the final half an hour so likely a good call.
AUS 4-296
Send it up
Rabada strikes Inglis on the pad first rock with the new ball.
Umpire says it’s too high but the home side send it upstairs.
The West Aussie didn’t get bat to it but ball tracking shows the ball going over the stumps and would have been umpire’s call on leg stump.
AUS 4-288
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