SA v Oz - Day 4 as it happened

OZ 216 & 246. SA 270/5d & 423

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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

                        ***CLICK HERE FOR A RECAP OF DAY 1, DAY 2 AND DAY 3***

18:54 - QUOTES

"Our first innings was crucial," said Australian skipper Michael Clarke. "Credit to South Africa. They outplayed us throughout the Test. Both with ball and bat. Steyn was exceptional today, and Morkel's pace and bounce in the first. Having said that we knew this was coming our way, so we should have done better. Going to be a great third Test, no doubt. Exciting for the game."

"It's been amazing," said South African skipper Graeme Smith. "A lot of emotion in the public. The key was to make it count. Key guys coming in under pressure and performing exceptionally well. Such high expectations from Dale. He is expected to take five every time. Today he got his bit between the teeth with the ball reversing. Great drama for cricket today. The crowd enjoyed it, the band made it really difficult to tell the nicks. I hear PE is getting the Boxing Day Test so that's great. I always felt we would get better in the series. The biggest challenge was we hadn't played a lot of cricket together, being away for T20s. Looking forward to Cape Town. It is going to be exciting."

18:49 - MAN OF THE MATCH

JP Duminy, who scored 123 and 18 not out, and also chipping in with two wickets.

18:45 - PICTURE

GAME CHANGER: Dale Steyn in full flight.... (Getty Images)

18:36 - What a remarkable fightback late in the day from the Proteas. After being 126/0, the Aussies lost 10 wickets for 90 runs!

With so much rain predicted for Monday, the Proteas showed true grit to win the game on Sunday and avoid a possible washout.

Dale Steyn proved why he is the world's best bowler by storming back with some terrific reverse-swing bowling after being out of sorts earlier in the game.

Morné Morkel was also sublime in this game, while Vernon Philander also played his part.

It's all set up nicely for next week's final Test at Newlands, starting on Saturday.

1-1 in the series going into the final Test!

Join us again next week for some more interactive commentary!

18:31 - Australia all out for 216. Replays showed Lyon got an edge, so shouldn't have been given out, but the Aussies had no reviews left...

18:30 - WICKET! Elgar gets Lyon out lbw for a duck. The Proteas win!

18:29 - Elgar bowling now. The light is too bad so the Proteas can't use their quicks...

18:28 - THREE OVERS LEFT

18:27 - Well played Rogers, but his coach will ask him why he was attempting such a risky single to get off strike first ball of the over!

18:25 - WICKET! Rogers is run out for 107. Australia 214/9.

18:24 - Looks like a tight one, but just out as the bails jumped up! Must be given out!

18:23 - Proteas appeal for a run-out after a fantastic pick-up and throw by substitute Alviro Petersen...

18:20 - After being 126/0, Australia lost 83/7.

Still only openers (Warner and Rogers) and extras have reached double figures!

18:19 - Philander back on now with St George's Park now completely covered in shade.

18:18 - He receives a bit of attention and also has his helmet checked.

18:17 - A Steyn short ball hits Rogers on the helmet and goes all the way to the boundary...

18:15 - Duminy in a lot of pain after making a superb stop in the covers. He's OK, just a bit bruised after landing heavily on the ball...

18:11 - A quick maiden over bowled by Duminy.

18:09 - Off-spinner Duminy now into the attack.

18:09 - TWEET

Some ordinary fielding apart, it has been a remarkable response from SA after last week. As world No1s surely they deserve 5-Test series - Gary Lemke

18:09 - Peter Siddle is the next man in...

18:08 - WICKET! No luck for Harris. Replays showed that it was clipping the top of the stumps. Harris goes for 6. Australia 209/8.

18:06 - Harris given out lbw by umpire Dharmasena after a huge appeal from Steyn. He reviews the decision...

18:02 - EXTRA HALF-HOUR

An extra 30 minutes will be played - a rule which allows the umpires to do this in Test cricket if they feel a result is possible...

18:02 - PICTURE

Why Rogers survived... - FOX SPORTS Cricket

18:01 - Given NOT OUT. Correct decision according to me...

17:59 - Nope, won't be out. Looks like the ball bounced before De Villiers caught it...

17:59 - He does, however, review the decision...

17:59 - WICKET?! Rogers is given out, caught behind down leg side by De Villiers off Morkel.

17:55 - Harris plays away from his body to Steyn, but misses it... looks like we'll be back tomorrow, weather permitting...

Five minutes left in the day.

17:49 - DID YOU KNOW?

The Proteas have won 18 out of 25 Tests at Newlands since re-admission.

However, all three of their defeats at the venue came against Australia. 

The final Test starts at Newlands next Saturday... The Proteas did, however, win the last Test there against the Aussies two seasons ago.

17:46 - RESULT

The South Africa Under-19s cruised into the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup when they beat Afghanistan by nine wickets in Sharjah on Sunday.

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

17:44 - Harris struggling against the reverse-swing of Steyn, but for the moment he is surviving...

17:39 - The Proteas have no reviews left.

17:38 - This time it stays NOT OUT. It touched Rogers's thigh pad...

17:37 - Another review taken by the Proteas. Morkel is confident he has Rogers caught by De Villiers playing down the leg side... but umpire Illingworth - AGAIN - says not out...

17:32 - The wind in PE picking up quite a bit as some clouds start to roll over... Signs of rain on its way?

17:28 - Morkel back into the attack now...

17:27 - 200 up for Australia, in the 61st over...

17:22 - PICTURE

Why Johnson was given out... - FOX SPORTS Cricket

17:19 - Ryan Harris is next in for the visitors.

17:18 - WICKET! Umpire Ray Illingworth is proven wrong. Johnson is out, lbw to Philander for 6. Australia 197/7.

17:17 - This looks like it could be out... 

17:16 - Massive lbw appeal by Philander on Johnson. Given not out. SA appeal...

17:12 - If I was Graeme Smith, I would bring Morné Morkel into the attack now. He broke Johnson's helmet in the first innings and clearly had him rattled...

17:11 - CENTURY for Rogers, coming off 192 balls. His fourth Test century. Well played 'Buck'!

17:08 - Elgar conceded nine in that over. Rogers closing in on his century...

17:05 - A strange move sees Elgar replace Steyn.

17:02 - Given not out. Too high.

17:01 - Philander appeals for lbw. He thinks he's got Rogers. Given not out, but SA review it.

17:00 - An hour's play left. The Proteas require four more wickets...

16:57 - Johnson edges Steyn over the slips to get off the mark with a boundary...

16:57 - PICTURE

This has happened to Brad Haddin twice in this Test. Oh, what a feeling. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

16:51 - Another quick wicket and this game could still finish today...

16:51 - Mitchell Johnson is the next man in.

16:50 - The 'Steyn Remover' proving why he is the No 1-ranked Test bowler in the world.

16:48 - Steyn's reverse-swing is proving way too hot to handle here for the visitors...

16:47 - WICKET! Steyn castles Haddin's middle stump! He is out for 1. Australia 166/6. 

16:42 - The national anthem is followed up by 'Shosholoza'.

16:40 - Amazing atmosphere in the ground now as the crowd sings the national anthem with the band playing in the backround...

16:38 - QUOTE

"This is the kind of energy you'd like to see from your big boys," former fast bowler Makhaya Ntini on Dale Steyn.

16:31 - Australia have lost their last four wickets for as many runs.

16:31 - Haddin leaves it behind. No hat-trick, but what an over by Steyn!

16:30 - Brad Haddin next in to try and stave off the hat-trick...

16:30 - Steyn is on a hat-trick with Australia in tatters.

16:29 - WICKET! Smith is out first ball, lbw to Steyn. Australia 156/5.

Two in two balls for Steyn who got that to reverse-swing!

16:28 - Steve Smith is the next batsman in.

16:28 - PICTURE: The 'Steyn Remover'

Think Dale Steyn was happy with that one. Or angry. It's really not easy to tell. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

16:28 - Steyn is going mad...:)

16:26 - WICKET! Clarke is out for 1. Steyn gets him, caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis. Australia 156/4.

A wonderful catch by Du Plessis. He had to dive slightly to his right and slightly forward as well...

16:24 - AUSSIE RUN-RATE GOING DOWN

When David Warner was dismissed, Australia's run-rate was 4.3. Since he was dismissed, thay have batted at 1.4 per over (current rate 3.22).

16:24 - Dale Steyn now back on...

16:22 - PICTURE

Kyly Clarke, wife of Michael Clarke, looking slightly worried with her husband trying save the Aussies... (Getty Images)

16:20 - Duminy now back on...

16:14 - Philander finding some nice reverse-swing as well now...

16:14 - Philander beats the bat of Clarke. He thinks he has him caught behind... but no...

16:10 - PICTURE

Not a great match for Shaun Marsh. Balls faced: 3. Runs scored: 0. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

16:08 - Big lbw appeal against Rogers by Morkel. Given not out. SA opt not to review it.

It pitched well outside leg stump. This time the hosts are right not to seek a review!

16:06 - That's a PAIR in this game for Marsh. He may have scored a century in the last Test, but has scored six ducks in his last 15 Test innings.

16:06 - Skipper Michael Clarke is next in.

16:04 - WICKET! Marsh is out for a duck, plumb lbw to Philander. Australia 153/3.

16:01 - That was a great catch by skipper Smith, who had to bend down low to take that. Finally an edge to slips that carried!

16:00 - Shaun Marsh is next in. He made a duck in the first innings.

15:58 - WICKET! Morkel strikes. Doolan is out for 5, caught at first slip by Smith. Australia 152/2.

15:54 - MONDAY'S WEATHER FORECAST

A maximum of 23 Degrees Celsius and a 90% chance of rain.

15:53 - Philander finds the edge of Doolan's bat, but it falls short of Smith at first slip.

15:51 - 150 up for Australia, coming off 248 balls. They now require less than 300 to win. 298 to be exact.

15:40 - PICTURE

Why Doolan survived... - FOX SPORTS Cricket

15:38 - Morkel bowls the second over after lunch.

15:33 - That bounced before it went into De Villiers's gloves and Doolan survives.

15:32 - Massive caught behind appeal by Philander first up. The umpires are going upstairs. Not sure that it carried to 'keeper De Villiers.

15:31 - Vernon Philander to start proceedings.

15:31 - Welcome back for the final session.

34 more overs to be bowled.

15:12 - TEA ON DAY 4:

Australia 141/1, requiring 307 more runs to win.

Join us again in about 20 minutes for more commentary...

15:15 - PICTURE

Can you believe it?! Snicko and Hot Spot show that was DEFINITELY an edge! 2nd time Proteas have done that. #SAvAUS  - FOX SPORTS Cricket

15:11 - SNICKO shows there was a slight edge and that's a CHANCE MISSED!

15:10 - Massive caught behind appeal by Steyn after Rogers wafts at a wide one... Given not out. The Proteas opt not to review it.

15:03 - QUOTE

"Alex Doolan is not looking very comfortable against JP Duminy and he's not using his feet," says cricket journalist Colin Bryden, speaking on Radio2000.

14:58 - TWEET

Steyn looking like a new man now - bowling with more pace and swing both ways. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

14:54 - A hint of reverse-swing from Steyn as he bowls to Doolan. Amazing how a wicket can suddenly inject some new vigour in the bowlers...

14:51 - Doolan off the mark after looking fairly shaky against Duminy early on.

14:46 - Steyn bowls one far outside off. Called wide by umpire Kumar Dharmasena.

14:43 - But Smith decides to bring Steyn back on. Not the decision I would have made right now. Elgar was turning it nicely there!

14:43 - Suddenly, this pitch has started to turn...

14:40 - Alex Doolan is next in.

14:39 - The decision stands. Warner is out for 66. Replays showed it clipped the stumps so it remains with the umpire's call.

14:38 - Oh, hang on... Warner reviews the decision...

14:37 - WICKET! Duminy gets Warner out lbw after the Aussie misses a straight one. 

14:36 - Duminy now back on. Lets see if he can turn it as much as Elgar.

14:34 - TWEET

Everyone who wanted Smith to declare at 400 would be in a bit of a pickle here... #SAvAUS - Alternative Cricket

14:33 - Elgar again appeals for an lbw. Given not out, but some nice turn! Promising signs at least for South Africa.

14:28 - HALF-CENTURY for Rogers, off 95 balls. His sixth Test 50.

14:25 - Big lbw appeal by Elgar. He thought he had Rogers there, but hit him outside the line. Some nice turn from Elgar though!

14:20 - Warner beautifully pulls Morkel for four first up... and again the next ball!

14:19 - Morkel back into the attack. 

14:18 - 100 up for Australia, coming off 145 balls. Also the 100 PARTNERSHIP between Rogers and Warner. The third time they have done so together in Test cricket.

14:15 - TWEET

Anyone suddenly a little keener on those clouds rolling in over PE? - Rob Houwing

14:15 - PICTURE

Another gem of a day in Port Elizabeth... - CA Digital Media

14:10 - HALF-CENTURY for Warner, coming off 61 balls.

14:09 - DOMESTIC NEWS

The Cape Cobras (304 & 280) have beaten the Dolphins (332 & 84) by 164 runs in their Sunfoil Series four-day clash in Paarl.

Off-spinner Dane Piedt (5/16) finished the game by getting a hat-trick.

14:06 - Slow left-armer Elgar now coming on in place of Duminy.

14:01 - While Steyn continues, spinner Dean Elgar is spotted warming up...

13:58 - Warner steps down the pitch and smacks Duminy down the ground for SIX... While he's there, the game WILL move forward.

13:51 - PICTURE

Hang on...isn't that the cat from yesterday? #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

13:45 - Steyn now back on.

13:44 - PICTURE

Warner is dropped yet again! Duminy puts down a tough chance, colliding with Rogers at the same time! #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

13:43 - MISSED CHANCE

Duminy dives to his left, into Rogers, and drops Warner...! Tough on Duminy there as he collided with the Aussie, but another let-off for Warner.

13:43 - Pitch looking very flat once again.

13:38 - Chris Rogers doesn't have a great record against off-spinners - a reason why Smith introduced "Koppe" so early in the innings.

13:30 - TWEET

It's Sunday afternoon, the sun is shining, the band is playing. If I didnt have work to do, I'd be in the stands. If you're in PE, get here! - Firdose Moonda

13:27 - Off-spinner JP Duminy now on. He could have a big role to play here...

13:23 - 18 runs off the latest Morkel over. Australia on fire after lunch.

13:21 - Warner hits Morkel for four boundaries in a row to bring up Australia's 50, coming off 64 balls.

13:20 - A lot of boundaries off some wides deliveries from the SA bowlers.

13:15 - Philander to bowl the second over after lunch.

13:12 - A Morkel bouncer strikes Warner on the chest.

13:11 - QUOTE via FOX SPORTS Cricket

"When you're batting it doesn't bother you but when you're fielding it's a pain in the neck," Mark Waugh on the brass band at St George's Park.

13:10 - Morkel to start proceedings. He bowls to Warner.

13:08 - Welcome back for the afternoon session. I will be describing the Australian second innings here as the Proteas make their appearance...

12:30 - LUNCH ON DAY 4:

Australia 31/0, they require 417 runs to win.

A good session for batting that was!

Join us in about 40 minutes for some more commentary...

12:30 - PICTURE

Chris Rogers has started well for Australia, especially against Dale Steyn... - CA Digital Media

12:27 - Steyn gets another go, in place of Philander. With one seamer (Parnell) out, Smith will have to rotate his three fast bowlers like this.

12:24 - Morkel already hitting 149.4 km/h!

12:18 - Already a few vicious bouncers from Morkel. It's imperative that he stays as aggressive as he was in the first innings, especially with Wayne Parnell (groin strain) unable to bowl. 

12:15 - TWEET

Just two over from Steyn and Morne Morkel is replacing him. Clearly Smith thinks Morkel is his most dangerous at the moment. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

12:14 - Morkel now on for Steyn. The latter again out of sorts in his first two overs...

12:12 - Warner edges Philander but it drops just short of a diving AB de Villiers's left hand and goes for four.

12:10 - TWEET

Give Morkel the ball - John Cardinelli

12:08 - Rogers starting well here. Already three drives to the boundary off Steyn.

12:06 - Peter Kirsten is disappointing that there's such a small crowd at St George's Park today.

12:02 - Vernon Philander will bowl the second over. He starts to David Warner. Lets hope this time round the Proteas take their chances against the dangerous Warner.

12:02 - Scorecard on the right up and running again!

12:01 - Four off the first Steyn over. 

11:58 - Dale Steyn starts to Chris Rogers.

11:50 - 73

The number of overs left in the day.

11:48 - AUSTRALIA NEED 448 RUNS TO WIN

11:47 - DECLARATION

The Proteas have declared their second innings on 270/5 after 64 overs. They have a lead of 447 runs.

11:46 - Apologies for our scorecard on the right of the page being behind the time. The problem is being attended to.

11:42 - TWEET

Graeme Smith is correct in wanting a lead of 450+. Only three pace bowlers and one part-time spinner, on a pitch that is OK for batting - Alternative Cricket

11:39 - 13 runs off Siddle's first over after the drinks break. Good intent by the South Africans...

11:36 - 250 up for South Africa, coming in the 62nd over.

11:35 - TWEET

Mark Waugh having a real go: "This is pathetic, what are South Africa doing? Get on with the game, you're wasting time!" - Carly Weinberg-Adno

11:32 - First DRINKS BREAK of the day. South Africa on 247/5, a lead of 424 runs. 

11:27 - At what stage should the Proteas declare?

Share your views by contacting us at: news@sport24.co.za

11:15 - JP Duminy is the next man in.

11:13 - WICKET! De Kock is out for 34. He tries to cut Lyon but just guides it straight into first slip Calrke's hands. SA 231/5.

11:05 - SA 223/4 - they now lead by 400 runs.

11:03 - Off-spinner Nathan Lyon now into the attack.

11:02 - With # now reaching his 100, it's time to open the shackles and up the run-rate even more. The Proteas need enough time today bowling at the Aussie batsmen.

10:59 - 50 PARTNERSHIP between Amla and De Kock, coming off 98 balls.

10:57 - Siddle now on to replace Harris.

10:55 - PICTURE

Amla reaches 21st century! #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket

10:51 - CENTURY for Amla, coming off 139 balls. His 21st Test century and fifth against Australia!

10:40 - 200 up for South Africa, coming off 296 balls.

10:39 - A bit of luck for Amla as he edges Harris between second and a wide third slip for four to move to 97.

10:38 - Johnson starts with a maiden over to De Kock.

10:34 - Mitchell Johnson to bowl the second over of the day.

10:33 - QUOTE

"Give yourself a chance to win, rain or not. 420 in front is enough," former Australian batsman Mark Waugh tells FOX SPORTS Cricket.

10:32 - Peter Kirsten, speaking on Radio2000, also says 450 ahead should be the target for South Africa.

10:31 - DE KOCK DROPPED!

De Kock dropped at short cover by a diving Steve Smith off the second ball of the day! He tried to play on the leg side but got a leading edge onto the off-side...

10:30 - De Kock gets a thick outside edge and starts with two off the first ball...

10:29 - Ryan Harris will start proceedings this morning. Quinto de Kock is on strike.

10:27 - The umpires and players arrive on the pitch. It's bright sunshine in PE again today!

10:24 - Lets hope the mighty # can get to his century quickly this morning and then unleash...

10:23 - 450 THE MAGICAL MARK

With a lead of 369 after three days, Proteas fast bowler Morné Morkel says his side could declare after the morning session on day four. 

"We'll see after the first session tomorrow and assess where we are," said Morkel.

"450 always seems to be the magical number with declarations."

10:15 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Former Proteas opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs turns 40 today!

10:11 - WEATHER CONDITIONS

27 Degrees Celsius with no rain predicted for today.

10:10 - PITCH CONDITIONS

Kepler Wessels says the pitch still looks good, but expects it to maybe show some uneven bounce later in the day.

“There’s hardly any scarring in this surface. Still some reasonable grass-cover. No indentation. In general, the pitch is looking very, very good.

“But I expect it to perhaps start to be a fraction uneven, maybe keep a little low later in the day as it is a Day 4 pitch.”

Wessels concluded by saying it will be very tough for Australia to win or even draw this game.

10:00 - Our chief writer Rob Houwing, like me, is worried about the possible rain predicted for Monday.

CLICK HERE to read how he feels the Proteas should go about things...

10:00 - Good morning and welcome to Day 4 coverage of the second Test in Port Elizabeth!

Only one team in charge in this game! But bearing in mind that rain is predicted on Monday, I would try bat for a lead of between 420-440 to give South Africa's bowlers enough time today to get as many wickets as they can.

If the Proteas bowlers can bowl with the same intensity as they did in the first innings, the total should be more than enough, especially given the fact that the highest score ever chased down for victory at this ground was 271, which Australia achieved in 1997.

10:00 - PICTURE

A MUCH HAPPIER MAN... Proteas coach Russell Domingo (Gallo Images)

TOUR ITINERARY

A reminder of the Proteas' tour itinerary against Australia

Tests

February 12-16, First Test, Centurion - Australia won by 281 runs
February 20-24, Second Test, St George's Park - 10:30
March 1-5, Third Test, Cape Town - 10:30

Twenty20

March 9, First T20, St George's Park - 14:30
March 12, Second T20, Kingsmead - 18:00
March 14, Third T20, Centurion - 18:00

TEAMS

South Africa:

Graeme Smith, Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel

Australia:

David Warner, Chris Rogers, Alex Doolan, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon

UMPIRES

Umpires - Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Ray Illingworth (England)
TV umpire - Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Match referee - Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)
Reserve umpire - Adrian Holdstock (South Africa)

Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on Day 4 of the second Test between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.