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SA 192/4 & 423. AUS 246 
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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert
***CLICK HERE FOR A RECAP OF DAY 1 AND DAY 2***
BATSMEN IN : Hashim Amla 93*, Quinton de Kock 9*
BATSMEN OUT : Graeme Smith 14, Dean Elgar 16, Faf du Plessis 24, AB de Villiers 29
18:30 - PICTURE
A MUCH HAPPIER MAN... Proteas coach Russell Domingo (Gallo Images)
18:06 - No doubt South Africa's day. 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 tomorrow 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.
Join us again at 10:30 tomorrow morning for some more INTERACTIVE COMMENTARY...
18:00 - Lyon bowls a maiden to bring up STUMPS ON DAY 3: South Africa 192/4, a lead of 369 runs.
17:57 - Some sharp turn from Lyon... Duminy will like seeing that for later in the game...
17:52 - SA 183/4 after 45 overs. They lead by 306 runs. An impressive run-rate of 4.06 per
17:50 - Lyon back on with 10 minutes left in the day's play.
17:40 - MISSED CHANCE
Amla dropped by wicketkeeper Haddin while on 83. Johnson bounced one down leg with Amla getting a glove to it...
Diving to his left, the Australian 'keeper couldn't grasp it.
17:33 - South Africa's lead now 350.
17:28 - De Kock batting very carefully early on. Understandably out to avoid getting out by a rash shot as he did in the first innings...
17:24 - PICTURE
St George's Park on Saturday. Hard to believe that heavy rain is predicted for Monday... (Getty Images)
17:15 - I would try get to 420 ahead, then try bowl them out tomorrow.
17:13 - With heavy rain expected on Monday, former batsman Herschelle Gibbs says the Proteas should get 380 ahead and put Australia in before the close of play tonight...
"We've got to back our bowlers to defend that."
17:12 - Debutant Quinton de Kock is next in.
17:12 - AB looked to play that over the slips to third man but got an edge. Some nice bounce there for Johnson.
17:10 - WICKET! De Villiers is out for 29 after edging Johnson to 'keeper Haddin. SA 167/4.
17:05 - 50 PARTNERSHIP between Amla and De Villiers, coming off 60 balls.
17:02 - 150 up for South Africa, coming off 211 balls.
16:59 - QUOTE
"South Africa's batsmen, from 11/2 (in the first innings), have produced a monumental effort to get to where they are in this match now," says former Proteas batsman Peter Kirsten.
16:56 - Johnson back on...
16:56 - Really great to see the mighty # finding form...
16:48 - Lyon to start after the break.
16:45 - DRINKS BREAK: South Africa 137/3, a lead of 314.
16:42 - Amla treating the Aussie bowlers with disdain. Proteas run-rate: 4.30 per over.
16:34 - PICTURE
Hashim Amla back to his best... (Gallo Images)
16:24 - TWEET
With a 70% chance of rain in PE on Monday, it may not be a bad thing for the Proteas to be bowled out for 200-220 - Simon Borchardt
16:21 - AB de Villiers is the next man in. he arrives to chants of 'AB, AB... AB' from the PE crowd...
16:20 - WICKET! Siddle strikes. Du Plessis edges him to 'keeper Haddin. He goes for 24. South Africa 112/3.
16:18 - No doubt this pitch is now the best that it has been to bat on for the whole game. I suspect the nice bright sunshine today has played its part...
16:17 - Siddle now back on to try and weave some magic...
16:12 - Also Amla's first 50 in eight innings.
16:10 - HALF-CENTURY for Amla, coming off 53 balls. His 28th Test 50.
16:07 - 100 up for South Africa, coming off 135 balls.
16:05 - Off-spinner Lyon now back on.
16:03 - Big appeal for caught behind against Du Plessis by Harris. Given not out. Harris was convinced, but 'keeper Haddin not. Australia opt against using the review.
16:00 - 50 PARTNERSHIP between Amla and Du Plessis, coming off a mere 55 balls.
15:59 - Harris now replacing Johnson after he was clobbered by Amla.
15:54 - SA 83/3 after 20 overs - a lead of 260 and a healthy run-rate of 4.15 per over.
15:50 - Amla, on the back foot, pitches Johnson for four through the covers to move into the 30s... Not bad for a guy who dislocated his finger earlier.
15:48 - TWEET
Aussies trying to sledge Hashim Amla. Might as well be trying to incite the Dalai Lama into a murderous rampage. #SAvAUS - Alternative Cricket
15:42 - PICTURE
A cat on a cricket field? Well I never... #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket
15:38 - FANS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON WHAT TOTAL PROTEAS SHOULD SET AUSSIES
498 - David Khotha
480 - Masande Zola MizDeep Meyi
450/500 that will b a gr8 lead we got this 1 - Pholoho Modise
Bat till a lead of 270 then accelerate and get another 100 in about 15 overs. They should make sure aussies can't get to the target they set but still have enough time to bowl them out. Aussies must not bat to save the test (Draw) they must bat for a win, so target shouldn't be to big - Kobus Du Toit
350 is more feasible if we wana win - Chris G Modise
Bat until lunch tomorrow and declare a lead of 350 will do looking at the pitch - Solomzi Ta Nditsi Xakwe
450 - Sthembiso Motabo
450 then declare early tomorrow - Mfundox Brian Xaba
15:35 - Harris to bowl the second over after tea.
15:30 - Former Proteas fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, speaking on Radio2000, says another 200 runs will be enough for the Proteas. "Then let Morné (Morkel) come in and do the job."
15:29 - Johnson to start to Du Plessis.
15:28 - Welcome back for the day's final session.
15:10 - TEA ON DAY 3: South Africa 58/2, an overall lead of 235.
Join us in about 20 minutes for more commentary...
15:04 - Amla crisply drives Siddle through the covers for four to bring up South Africa's 50.
He moves to 20.
# finding form.
14:58 - Amla is almost clean-bowled by Lyon when the ball rolls back to 'keeper Haddin, who nearly stumps him as well. But he survives...
14:56 - Faf du Plessis is next in.
14:55 - WICKET! Elgar is out for 16. He edges Siddle to 'keeper Haddin. SA 42/2.
14:53 - TWEET
Mikey Holding reckons chasing 'high 300s' on this pitch not impossible. #worktodo - Rob Houwing
14:48 - SA 41/1 after 10 overs. Nice healthy run-rate of 4.1 per over!
14:43 - Peter Siddle now also into the attack.
14:41 - NO GROIN TEAR FOR PARNELL
Proteas team management says Wayne Parnell’s scans show no groin tear, just a strain.
But he's unlikely to bowl again this match.
15:39 - PICTURE
More batting agony for Biff... (Getty Images)
14:39 - Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who got 5/130 in the first innings, now into the attack.
14:36 - What total should the Proteas try and set Australia to win?
Send your thoughts to: news@sport24.co.za
14:28 - PICTURE
View from the St George's Park band #SAvAUS - CA Digital Media
14:21 - Hashim Amla is coming out to bat despite having a dislocated finger.
14:20 - 8
The number of times Graeme Smith has been dismissed by Mitchell Johnson.
14:19 - WICKET! Smith clean-bowled by Johnson for 14. SA 20/1. He got an inside edge onto his stumps. Jeepers, this guys struggles against left-arm seam bowlers.
14:13 - Elgar off the mark with a beautiful cover drive off Johnson.
14:06 - PROTEAS INJURY UPDATES
Hashim Amla should be fine to bat at No 3 despite dislocating his finger.
Wayne Parnell has a left groin strain and is unlikely to bowl again in the game.
14:06 - Ryan Harris to bowl the second over.
14:02 - Smith flicks the first ball off his legs for four!
14:00 - Interesting start as Smith makes Johnson wait as the PE band finishes playing the national anthem. Aussie captain Clarke is upset and runs from slip up to Smith and asks him if he's done singing along... Smith ignores Clarke...
14:00 - Mitchell Johnson starts to Smith...
13:58 - Graeme Smith and Dean Elgar make their way out onto the park for South Africa's second innings...
13:54 - It's a pity South Africa couldn't enforce the follow-on. They'll now have to try and bat at a relatively quick rate to give themselves enough time to bowl tomorrow. And hope that dreadful rain prediction for Monday changes...
Morné Morkel (3/63) was clearly SA's best and most dangerous bowler.
14:53 - PICTURE
Morné Morkel was on fire for most parts today... (Getty Images)
13:51 - Australia 246 all out. They trail South Africa by 177 runs.
13:50 - WICKET! Harris is out for 26, caught at second slip by Du Plessis off Morkel.
13:49 - Harris and Siddle starting to frustrate the Proteas here. Partnership worth 37.
13:42 - Steyn getting some nice reverse-swing...
13:40 - Steyn now back on in place of Philander.
13:38 - Morkel is bowling too many bouncers now... Too short to the tail-enders. He has almost no chance of bowling them or drawing an edge...
Yes, they are scared, but bowl a few on the stumps as well!
13:32 - Harris smacks Philander over midwicket for SIX which means Australia have avoided the follow on.
13:29 - The Proteas go for another caught behind review. Siddle looks OK. Morkel's delivery down leg side looks to have brushed his thigh pad. It stays NOT OUT.
No reviews left for the hosts.
13:24 - Harris beautifully pulls Philander to the boundary... Eight more to avoid the follow on...
13:19 - Australian pundits and commentators not happy that Smith was given out.
13:17 - Australia (209/9) need 15 more runs to avoid the follow on.
13:16 - Seems like SNICKO prevailed over HOTSPOT on that decision. Aleem Dar is the third umpire.
13:16 - Peter Siddle is the last man in.
13:15 - WICKET! The decision goes SA's way. Smith is out for 49, caught by De Villiers off Morkel. Australia 209/9.
13:14 - This will be a tight call...
13:13 - Sounds like a nick, but HOTSPOT shows nothing. However, SNICKO shows something...
13:12 - Proteas appeal for a caught behind. Given not out by umpire Illingworth. Captain Smith reviews it.
13:11 - Morkel continues the second over after lunch.
13:09 - Ryan Harris is next in. He hits Duminy for four off his first ball.
13:07 - Welcome back for the afternoon session.
I feel it's important for South Africa to try get these last two wickets before Australia reach 224. Enforcing the follow on seems important, especially as heavy rain is predicted for Monday. Yes, the injury surrounding Wayne Parnell could make things tough, but I cannot see South Africa going to bat today and then have enough time bowling the Aussies out if most - and perhaps all - play will be washed out on Day 5. 50mm of rain predicted!
12:38 - PICTURE
Morkel breaks Johnson's helmet... FOX SPORTS Cricket
12:29 - And that wicket takes us to LUNCH ON DAY 3: Australia 205/8, still needing 19 runs to avoid the follow on.
What a session. It all happened. Wickets, dropped catches, injuries, broken helmets... But the Proteas are on top!
Join us in about 40 minutes for more interactive commentary....
12:27 - WICKET! Johnson misses a straight one and is clean-bowled by Duminy for 27. Australia 205/8. Duminy owes that wicket to Morkel. Johnson clearly still shaken from being hit on the helmet the previous over...
12:22 - JOHNSON'S HELMET BROKEN
Morkel's bouncer didn't get him out, but it broke Johnson's helmet! New one being brought on. Amazing scenes... Morkel on fire!
12:21 - Next ball there's a massive appeal for caught behind. Given not out. It came off Johnson's helmet into De Villiers's gloves...
12:20 - Morkel strikes Johnson on the body with another quick one... The crowd loves it.
12:16 - 200 up for Australia - at a healthy run-rate of 4.2 per over.
12:14 - HEAVY RAIN PREDICTED FOR MONDAY
55mm or rain predicted for Monday. The game may need to finish tomorrow for a result to occur...
12:12 - Morkel now back on.
12:10 - Johnson smacks Duminy down the ground - first for a four and then for six. Ominous signs fro Proteas...
12:07 - UPDATE ON HASHIM AMLA
It has been confirmed that Amla dislocated his left ring finger.
Fielding at gully, Amla dived for a catch from Brad Haddin, but only managed to get the finger on it. He immediately went off the field to receive medical attention.
Team management said Amla's finger could be 'put back in' and he would be fine to bat during South Africa's second innings.
12:04 - UPDATE ON WAYNE PARNELL
Cricket South Africa has confirmed that Parnell is struggling with a left groin strain and has been taken to hospital for scan. The scan will determine his further participation in match...
12:02 - Johnson drives Duminy through the covers for his first boundary.
11:58 - Steyn bowling with new vigour now. That dropped catch off his bowling seems to have fired him up.
11:54 - PICTURE
Not the sight Haddin wanted to see #SAvAUS - CA Digital Media
11:51 - Off-spinner JP Duminy now into the attaclk for the first time.
11:49 - Mitchell Johnson is next in. His best score was 123 not out against South Africa in Cape Town in 2009. He has a knack of batting well against Proteas...
11:49 - Some great late swing by Steyn castled the Aussie 'keeper. The easterly breeze playing its part...
11:48 - WICKET! Haddin is clean-bowled by Steyn for 9. His middle stump went flying there! Australia 168/7.
11:45 - Massive lbw appeal from Steyn. Given not out. Haddin lives to fight another day. It was clearly going down leg though...
11:43 - PICTURE
Parnell telling Smith he can't continue #SAvAUS - CA Digital Media
11:41 - PARNELL INJURED
Wayne Parnell has pulled up half-way into his run-up, Looks like some sort of leg injury. He will leave the field. May be the groin area... Left-arm spinner Dean Elgar completes the over for him.
11:39 - Wow Haddin almost run out by Steyn but the ball narrowly misses from the outfield...
11:36 - Steyn must now channel the anger of Peterson's dropped catch into his bowling. He is, after all, still the No 1-ranked bowler in Test cricket.
11:31 - First DRINKS BREAK of the morning. Time for skipper Smith to give the fielders a stern talking to...
11:28 - TWEETS
For those wondering, there isn't a dedicated fielding coach with the SA team at the moment. Hence the SOS being needed - Antoinette Muller
Jonty Rhodes, please come back from your Survivor stint, the Proteas need a fielding demo and a flogging. Or write an essay on fielding - Cricket365
Is this the worst catching display ever by SA? So disappointing - Jacques van der Westhuyzen
What the hell has happened to SA's catching? Oz should pretty much be back in the hut - Rob Houwing
11:26 - 150 up for Australia. They require another 74 runs to avoid the follow on.
11:26 - 4
The number of catches put down by South Africa.
11:24 - ANOTHER DROPPED CATCH!!!!!!
12th man Robin Peterson drops an absolute sitter. Steve Smith flicks it off his pads but Robbie P puts it down at square leg. This is getting ridiculous. Australia could have been all out by now.
11:19 - TWEET: Amla's finger slightly injured.
The Mighty # dislocated his left ring finger. But it's "been put back" and now being iced. No blood - or break - Neil Manthorp
11:18 - Double change as Parnell comes on.
11:16 - Steyn starts with a maiden.
11:13 - Dale Steyn now into the attack for the first time. He can only improve on his figures of conceding 33 in six overs late yesterday.
11:10 - TWEET
Fielding massive issue for SA. Seem to have contracted a collective case of "Feet For Hands Syndrome" (FFHS) - Peter Miller
11:08 - Morkel causing the batsmen all sorts of discomfort with some vicious bouncers... Definitely the most aggressive I've ever seen him bowl.
11:02 - ANOTHER MISSED CHANCE
Next ball, Haddin edges it but it just goes through Hashim Amla's fingers for four. That will go down as ANOTHER DROPPED CHANCE.... sigh... Tough chance but a chance nevertheless.
11:01 - Philander draws the Clarke edge, but it drops short of Faf du Plessis at second slip...
11:00 - PICTURE
Either Michael Clarke just got some really bad news, or he saw a reply of that shot by Nathan Lyon. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket
10:57 - NATHAN LYON'S LAST 9 INNINGS
0*, 1*, 17*, 17*, 18*, 1*, 6*, 4* and 15
10:55 - This partnership could well determine the outcome of the match. A few more quick wickets and the Proteas are in win a massive shot at winning!
10:55 - Brad Haddin is next in.
10:54 - WICKET! Morkel clean-bowls Lyon for 15. He backed away from that delivery and got an inside edge onto his stumps. Australia 128/6.
10:53 - Smith hits two boundaries as Philander strays down the leg side twice in a row.
10:51 - PICTURE
Warner has to go - FOX SPORTS Cricket
10:51 - Steve Smith is next in. He scored a hundred in the previous Test. He is crucial to Australia's cause now....
10:49 - WICKET! Warner is out for 70, caught at second slip by Smith off the bowling of Philander. Massive wicket! Australia on the ropes at 120/5.
10:44 - Morkel thinks he's got Lyon caught behind, but given not out by umpire Ray Illingworth. Correct decision. Just brushed the thigh pad.
10:42 - Apart from the times he's being struck on the body, Lyon's actually looking good for a guy normally batting at No 11. No wonder he hasn't been dismissed for the last seven Tests!
10:40 - Loud lbw appeal against Lyon by Philander but that's a bit ambitious. Going way down leg!
10:36 - Fourth ball, and Lyon is struck on the body by a nasty Morkel bouncer...
10:34 - Morkel to bowl the second over to night-watchman Lyon.
10:33 - Four runs off the first over.
10:29 - Warner is on strike, with Philander starting proceedings.
10:28 - Warner will keep on attacking. But he'll offer some chances. It's imperative that the Proteas take them this time round...
10:25 - The Proteas are out on the park, doing some last-moment stretching before the battle ensues...
10:13 - MORE AGGRESSION PLEASE
Lets hope the Proteas bolwers can continue being as aggressive as they were late last night. Morné Morkel, especially, bowled with some real vigour, unlike I've ever seen from him. One ball even hit 152.7 km/h. He was very unlucky not to get a wicket!
10:08 - PITCH CONDITIONS
Kepler Wessels says Australia may have missed a trick by using the the heavy roller on the pitch before they went in to bat yesterday. That gave the deck a bit more pace and bounce. They seem to have learnt their lesson today as the lighter roller was used.
"There's a south-easterly wind blowing which should be pleasant for the bowling side," says Wessels.
"(But) by and large, still a pretty good pitch to bat on."
10:07 - WEATHER CONDITIONS
26 Degrees Celsius predicted today with zero chance of rain...
10:02 - Good morning and welcome to Day 3 coverage of the second Test between South Africa and Australia.
Unlike the first two days, Port Elizabeth is bathed is sunshine!
However, this may improve batting conditions which is not what the Proteas would want.
10:00 - PICTURE: Catches win matches Proteas!
The Proteas practicing their slip catches. AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla & Dean Elgar #SAvAUS - Michael Sherman
18:17 - PICTURE
South Africa's best day of the series by far... (Getty Images)
18:01 - QUOTE
"I've really been impressed by the energy showed by the South Africans. They bounced back really well. They've got four quick wickets. There's a good chance of getting a fifth early tomorrow with (night-watchman) Lyon there. They're in the pound seats," said former Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock.
18:00 - TWEET
Well as SA
bowled, it's impossible not to wonder how crucial those missed chances
may be. My other worry is that Dale Steyn was seriously down on pace and
intensity in his final burst - Patrick Compton
17:55 - Despite all the missed chances at the end there, it was clearly South Africa's day after starting it under pressure.
Some
great batting by Duminy and De Villiers set up South Africa's total,
and some great bowling from especially Morkel, Philander and Parnell put
the hosts in charge.
Morkel was clearly unlucky not to get a wicket as he bowled a few balls right up at 150 km/h!
Let's hope the Proteas take their chances better tomorrow as they're in a good position to go on and push for a victory!
Join us again tomorrow morning at 10:30 for some more live commentary...
17:54 - Lyon survives the final two balls and that's STUMPS ON DAY 2: Australia 112/4, trailing by 311 runs.
CLICK HERE for a full written report on the day's play.
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 3 of the second Test between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.
