Australia Reaches 191 for Four at Tea on Day Two at Newlands
Marco Jansen picked up a pair of late wickets prior to the interval, leaving Australia at 191 for four during the afternoon break on the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday, as per SuperSport. Australia had returned to the crease following lunch holding a score of 90 for two, remaining 239 runs behind South Africa’s first-innings total of 329.
Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green Build Partnership
Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green shared a 126-run stand for the third wicket before Jansen broke through with figures of 11-3-28-2. Both batters survived reviews when on 49 and 22 respectively, reducing the deficit to 145 before the tall left-arm pace of Jansen claimed Renshaw caught behind by Ryan Rickelton for 74, as reported by SuperSport. Renshaw stood his ground before Temba Bavuma immediately signaled for the review, showing the ball brushed the face of the bat after striking 10 boundaries.
Marco Jansen is putting on a show! 🇿🇦🔥Australia 25/2 in 10.5 overs. Jansen has conceded just 3 runs in 5.5 overs and picked up a wicket!South Africa’s bowlers have come ready to fight. 👀#SAvAUS #TestCricket
Green departed in Jansen’s next over for 65, with Simon Harmer grabbing a sharp chance at first slip after Green struck eight fours and two sixes. Josh Inglis and Alex Carey survived fiery bowling from Jansen to head into the dressing room unbeaten on five and one respectively, leaving Australia still 138 runs in arrears.
Simon Harmer Claims Morning Breakthroughs
Simon Harmer claimed a double-wicket maiden prior to the luncheon interval with figures of 14-4-43-2. Harmer dismissed Travis Head for 41 with his first delivery, inducing a chop-on to end the opening 58-run stand, before having Marnus Labuschagne caught by Aiden Markram at first slip without scoring, according to SuperSport.
Pat Cummins won the toss on Tuesday and asked the Proteas to take first strike. Aiden Markram scored 78 and Marques Ackerman contributed 95 as the pair enjoyed sunny skies to add 140 without loss in the opening session.
South Africa First Innings and Lower Order Collapse
South Africa reached 329 all out in their first innings. Nathan Lyon broke the opening stand of 158—a new record for South Africa at Newlands against Australia—by having Ackerman stumped just five runs short of a maiden Test ton, finishing with 23-1-71-2. Markram fell shortly before lunch, dropped on 39 by Head off Mitchell Starc before skying an attempted pull off Josh Hazlewood (15-3-59-1) to Starc at long-on. Bavuma lasted three balls before being bowled by Lyon, and Cooper Connolly trapped Matthew Breetzke in front for two.
Ryan Rickelton scored 42 and David Bedingham made 50 as they went to tea on the opening day at 221 for four. Mitchell Starc claimed six wickets for 72 runs, removing Bedingham and Wiaan Mulder early on day two before Rickelton and Jansen added 95 runs for the seventh wicket. Jansen scored 52 runs before Starc dismissed him, subsequently cleaning up the tail as Starc claimed four wickets in the space of six deliveries.
Match Context at Newlands
The three-match series is level at 1-1, leaving both teams fighting for a decisive victory in Cape Town. South Africa defends its home fortress while Australia looks to overturn the first-innings deficit in the final sessions of the deciding Test.
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