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Howzat ... Vernon Philander appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Cowan. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited
Australia's openers survive a tough hour before stumps to head into day four with a glimmer of hope after South Africa set a mammoth run chase.
Hundreds from Hashim Amla and A.B. de Villiers helped South Africa post 569 in their second dig, meaning Australia need a world record 632 for victory.
Mitchell Starc ended up with six wickets, but Mitchell Johnson was probably the pick of Australia's bowlers, with 4-110.
Australia's task seems improbable at the moment, but as we've seen before in Test cricket, anything can happen.
Relive all the day three action by reading the blog below, and make sure you join us on Monday as Australia continue their epic run chase. We'll be kicking off the live blog at 1.15pm (EDT) on Monday.
Join the conversation by sending a question or comment to blogs@foxsports.com.au or by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
You can also check out all the stats, pitch maps and wagon wheels at our Cricket Match Centre.
3rd Test - WACA Ground
30 November 2012 - Day 3, Session 3
Australia 2nd Innings
| E. Cowan | 9 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 19.57 |
| D. Warner | 29 | 32 | 5 | 0 | 90.63 |
| M. Morkel | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 3.00 |
Latest comments (all times EDT):
2110: That was a truly remarkable day of cricket we saw at the WACA - it included two of the best innings we've seen in a while on our shores, with Hashim Amla and A.B. de Villiers smashing the Aussie bowlers to all corners, but some very good fielding from Australia saw Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson pick up six and four wickets respectively. Australia's chances of chasing down this total remain slim, but you just never know with Test cricket. Join us tomorrow from 1.15pm (EDT) as we find out how they go! Until then, this is Antony Pinshaw saying goodnight.
2100: STUMPS (AUS 0-40, Cowan 9*, Warner 29*) Cowan and Warner have made it to the end of the day. That was good, sensible batting from the Aussie openers. But can they continue in that vein tomorrow? Australia face a massive chase, but Michael Clarke will try steel his men for the task ahead.
2057: Morkel will bowl what might be the last over of the day here. Can the Aussies survive?
2055: Rippersportspro of NSW says: Antony, in response to your question (which was in response to my comment), I was just reading a short while ago that the previous 2 names that took all 10 wickets in a Test innings were Jim and Anil. The countries who they represented at the time and what they bowled were not mentioned.
Antony says: I think the Jim and Anil you refer to are Jim Laker and Anil Kumble, who both took 10 wickets in an innings all on their own! So perhaps Johnson and Starc are the first duo with the same name to combine for 10 wickets in an innings?
2052: FOUR! Steyn drops short to Warner and he plays a nice, controlled pull shot over mid-wicket that races to the bounary. Nice shot. AUS 0-38
2049: CLOSE! Warner goes for a hook shot and it just evade the man at fine leg. A rather risky shot for a single. Now Dale Steyn comes back into the attack. In the meantime, Asad Rauf is spraying fly spray on Ed Cowan. Seriously.
2044: Ooh, Cowan has pulled out late again! Once again it's due to the fly being in his helmet, but this time he cops a bit of stick from Graeme Smith at first slip. Perhaps a bit rich from Graeme given how many times he pulled out late when he was batting.
2037: OUCH! Morkel goes tumbling after a delivery, and the replay shows that he's rolled his ankle quite badly there. The big man stays down for a while but eventually he's back up on his feet and will continue bowling.
2033: WOW! We've seen a lot of batsman pulling away just before the ball is bowled, but Ed Cowan pulled out virtually as Philander released the ball on this occasion. His excuse was a fly on his helmet. I wonder what would have happened if the ball had hit the stumps there? On another note, the new bowler is Morne Morkel, replacing Dale Steyn.
2031: Cowan and Watson are batting very sensibly at the moment, but can they last another half an hour?
2027: Rippersportspro of NSW has an interesting piece of trivia for us: In an Australian first in Test cricket, all 10 wickets were taken by the same first name and they were both left arm fast bowlers.
Antony says: That really is unique! Does anyone know if this has happened before (at least the part with the same first names) for any other Test cricket nation?
2023: APPEAL! That's unbelievable, he's bowled the same ball yet again to Cowan and again it just beats the edge and off stump, but this time Philander thinks he's found the edge and goes up in an appeal for caught-behind. The rest of the team aren't convinced though and decide not to call for the review.
2021: CLOSE! What a ball that was from Philander! That was just about the perfect ball to the left-handed Cowan, it bounces on about middle and leg and ends up beating the outside edge and just missing the top of off stump. CLOSE! And he's done it again! Cowan is very lucky.
2015: Paul of Brisbane sent in this comment before the start of the Australian innings: Aussie could open with 2 night watchman?
Antony says: Haha not quite Paul, but I reckon Nathan Lyon has his pads on and is probably hoping he has the brown undies on right now.
2011: FOUR! That's a nice cover drive from Warner off Steyn - he's showing some real intent here. FOUR! That wasn't such a great shot, Warner hung the bat out at a good ball from Steyn but the Aussie opener got enough bat on it to beat third slip and pick up his fourth boundary. AUS 0-17
2007: FOUR! Warner gets his second boundary of the over with a nice flick off his pads through mid-wicket. AUS 0-8
2003: Cowan survives the first over from Steyn - now it's Philander's turn to bowl to Warner. FOUR! Warner gets off the mark in a way only he can - flicking the ball over the slips for four. AUS 0-4
2000: OK the players are ready for the start of the the final innings of this series. Dale Steyn will bowl first up with Ed Cowan on strike.
1956: The 3rd Man of The 19th Hole says: Can someone tell me why Watson has only bowled 9 overs this innings. His been our most economical bowler and unless he is injured why wasn't he used when SA were scoring so freely. I also agree with Nikk while Clarke leads well with the bat his tactics in the feild have to be questioned. Just like Adelaide his feilds are too defensive which is making very hard on the bowlers.
Antony says: My guess is that Watson is still having his workload managed because he's not quite at 100 per cent, for bowling at least.
1949! WICKET! Morkel 0, b Starc, SA 569) That's just about Starc's best ball of the day! He bowls a great yorker that rips out Morkel's leg stump. That's the end of South Africa's second innings - a massive 569, setting the improbable task for Australia of chasing 631. The Aussie openers, Warner and Cowan, will be out in a few minutes.
1946: WICKET! Steyn 8 (c Wade b Starc, SA 9-569) That's five wickets for Mitchell Starc. He's battled all day but he's got some reward for it, as Steyn feathers an edge through to Matt Wade. Surprisingly there's still no declaration from South Africa, as Morne Morkel comes in to bat.
1942: Alan says: Hope Punter gets a 100 tomorrow, agree with Rohit, we need to get Khawaja in, another bug score in Ryobi today, he is in great form.
1937: FOUR! Dale Steyn, who came in when de Villiers got out, flicks a wide ball from Starc over gully for four. Surely the declaration must come soon, the lead is 629 now. SA 8-567
1933: That's drinks. As the players have a breather, here's an interesting point of view from NIKK: Everyone here who has and still critisize Ricky Ponting for bad captaincy is now watching how good a captain Clarke is. Sure when you got exciting young bowlers tearing India apart, you look good as captain but look how defensive is he today. If Ricky had bowlers like these, he would've been even more successful. I still think Clarke is the right man at the moment but he is no better than Ponting and will never be.
Antony says: It would be tough for anyone to be captain when the bowling has been as inconsistent as it has been in this innings.
1928: Frank Prichard of Newcastle says: What an embarrasment! It looks like the Aussies are just hoping that Sth Africa will declare!!!!!I can't figure it out. I thought Australia was mentally tough enough for this . . . South Africa are good as any, just can't work out how cricketer's form can be all over the place. Bowlers continually getting injured etc, etc. Talk about a roller coaster. Is it attitude or simply that the Australian team is not good enough for long enough periods of play? I applaud the South Africans . . . not sure what to think about the Australians.
Antony says: All very valid points, but I have a question for you. You're not THE Frank Prichard are you?
1924: WICKET! (de Villiers 169, c Wade b Starc, SA 8-557) Ah, A.B.'s fantastic innings comes to an end. He goes for one big shot too many, edging his extravagant drive through to Matt Wade. That really was a superb innings, which included 21 fours and three sixes - hard to say if he or Amla batted better today.
1919: CLOSE! Philander tries to hit a six off Johnson but it goes higher than it does far and only just eludes John Hastings running back from mid-on. FOUR! But Philander plays a a genuine good cricket shot this time, a nice cover drive that goes in the air on the way to the boundary. SA 7-556
1916: FOUR! Vernon Philander joins the party, slogging Starc over mid-on for four. The lead is up to 611 now. SA 7-549.
1914: Just a quick stat on de Villiers' innings - the 100 runs he made from when he went from 50 to 100 came in just 63 balls. That is quite incredible.
1910: FOUR! Johnson bowls too short and de Villiers plays a nice hook shot that beats fine leg to the boundary. CLOSE! But Johnson bowls a good comeback that only just goes past the outside edge. SA 7-543
1908: Feel Sorry For Punter of SRT of Mumbai says: SA need to bat the whole day today and till lunch tomorrow. 150 overs is more than enough to bowl Oz out !..no need to declare now !
Antony says: In general 150 overs should be more than enough to get the job done, but if for whatever reason Australia did survive, Graeme Smith would feel a bit silly for not declaring when he already had a 600-run lead on the board.
1905: WICKET! Peterson 0, c Johnson b Starc, SA 7-539) Good catch by Johnson! Starc gets his third wicket of the innings as Peterson goes for a hook and top edges it to Johnson at mid-on, who takes a good catch diving forward. The Proteas are going for quick runs here, so expect a declaration soon. Philander is the new batsman.
1902: CLOSE! That's a superb yorker from Starc, it swings back in towards the right-handed de Villiers and goes just in between bat and stumps - that only missed by a whisker!
1900: WICKET! (du Plessis 27, c Clarke b Johnson, SA 6-538) Johnson's got another one! He bowls one just short of a good length to du Plessis, the ball catches the edge and Clarke takes a good low catch at first slip. Good bowling from Johnson, but with South Africa's lead over 600 now, I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make.
1857: REVIEW! This is quite bizarre, Johnson went up for a half-hearted appeal for lbw, the umpire says NOT OUT straight away. It looked like it was going down leg and might have had an inside edge as well, but Clarke, after seeing it called a leg bye, asks for the review and the reply clearly shows it bounced outside leg and was missing the stumps as well. That was a desperate attempt.
1853: FOUR! This time it's the regulation sweep for de Villiers off Lyon, but the result is the same - a boundary. He hits the next one for a single to long on to bring up his 150! SIX! And this time he goes large, massive, slogging it over mid-wicket for a maximum. This is unbelivable batting, but not great bowling. SA 5-534
1850: FOUR! That's almost a carbon copy of the previous four, but this time it was pitched up a bit more and du Plessis meant to hit it there. FOUR! And the next ball goes for a boundary as well, flicked by du Plessis through mid-wicket and it goes like a rocket to the fence. SA 5-518
1847: FOUR! That wasn't a bad ball from Johnson, he lured du Plessis into stretching forward for a cover drive and it gets a thick edge, but beats the man at point and runs away to the boundary. The partnership is now at 74 off just 70 balls. SA 5-510
1844: SIX! de Villiers is going for quick runs, and at the moment he's getting them. He goes for the slog-sweep off Lyon and gets enough on it for the ball to sail over the boundary rope. He tries to hit the next ball for six over cover but only gets two runs. SA 5-505
1842: Mark says: Antony, What's your thoughts on hastings? He averages 19 this year in domestic and taken the 5th most wickets. Yet he does not look like getting anything and is getting smashed. Is domestic cricket hyping up the bowlers?
Antony says: That's a very good point, Mark. He has looked a bit pedestrian today. Perhaps sometimes too much rides on pure statistics at domestic level, but then again whenever selectors pick players based on potential and not numbers, they get slammed for it. It's a tough gig.
1841: FOUR! de Villiers swats a short one from Hastings over mid-wicket for another four. Not very smart bowling from the Aussie debutant, but a good shot nonetheless. SA 5-495
1838: FOUR! Now du Plessis breaks the shackles, playing a glorious pull shot over mid-wicket off Hastings. SA 5-488
1837: FOUR! de Villiers picks up where he left off by coming down the pitch and whipping a ball from Lyon through mid-wicket for four. That wasn't far from Ricky Ponting at short mid-wicket, but it was a good shot. SA 5-484
1834: CLOSE! That was a loose shot from de Villiers, he tried to flick one off his toes through mid-wicket but got a leading edge and luckily for him it flew just over the head of mid-off.
1830: John Hastings will bowl the first over of the third session, with A.B. de Villiers on strike. South africa already have a lead of 529 - could they be thinking of a declaration before stumps?
1823: The debate over Mitch Starc continues ... OG of WA says: I hope all the Starc lovers are watching closely all the pies he is chucking, he can't put the ball in the same spot twicw he is getting flogged. He certainly won't be playing against Sri Lanka.
Geoff of Sydney says: Antony, I have no doubt Starc is certainly a Test Bowler, a few bad Overs certainly doesn't disqualify a young Quick from a very good future. As an old bloke, I am looking forward to the day when Pattinson, Cummings and Starc head our attack, they can help get us back to #1. Seriously, Mitch Starc has a beautiful approach the the Bowling Crease, has great balance, and will be a wonderful Bowler for a long time. He reminds me of Bruce Reid, but with a stronger physique.
1817: Rohit says: Khawaja got 90 against NSW today in Ryobi Cup, he must replace Punter for the Sri Lanka series
Antony says: By all accounts it's pretty much between Khawaja and Hughes - or will selectors give Rob Quiney one more chance?
1811: TEA (SA 5-466, de Villiers 116*, du Plessis 2*) That's tea at the WACA. Once again South Africa dominated that session, but Australia got a glimmer of hope with the wickets of Amla and Elgar. Stay with us as we continue to discuss the big issues in this match.
1809: FOUR! Another reverse sweep from de Villiers! This is probably the best of the lot, as he deliberately hit it very fine - it went to where first slip usually stands. Simply stunning. SA 5-466
1805: FOUR! John Hastings is having a bowl again, but it makes no difference to de Villiers as he smashes an on-drive straight back down the ground for four. SA 5-461
1801: Kraka from Perth has emailed in: It's going to be 37 degrees on Tuesday-how much affect will that have on the pitch during the day when the aussies are presumably batting to either win it or salvage it.
Antony says: If the game is still going on Tuesday - and that is quite a big if - hot, sunny weather will definitely help Australia. Not only will it bake the pitch, but it will make fielding a tough slog out in the middle.
1755: FOUR! HUNDRED! This is unbelievable! A.B. de Villiers has played three reverse sweeps in a row off Lyon, and they've all gone for boundaries behiind point. The third one brings up his century, and what a good innings that is. It's come off 132 balls. SA 5-450
1753: FOUR! de Villiers brings out the reverse sweep again - that's about the third or fourth one he's played today! He executes it perfectly and it runs past the man at point for a boundary. FOUR! And he's done it again! Same shot, same result. SA 5-446
1749: Warwick of Warwick Farm: The head curator and groundsmen should all be fired after this debacle. They have prepared a road - and it has played right into the hands of the Saffirs. All they needed was a draw for glory. Our pace attack never stood a chance, they are playing against 12 men (including the curator). So angry.
Parko of Queanbeyan says: Brad Hog said the first two days would be for the bowlers then it would be a batting paradise - so Warwick STOP looking for EXCUSES.
Antony says: Warwick I can only hope you're joking about this being a road - did you see the first and second innings?
1745: Wow, big Mitch has breathed life back into this match. Australia really need to keep the momentum going here. The new batsman is Faf du Plessis, and he's facing up to a new bowler, Nathan Lyon.
1742: WICKET! (Elgar 0, lbw Johnson, SA 5-436) And the next ball is a wicket! Johnson strikes Elgar flush on the front pad and goes up with a huge shout, and umpire Asad Rauf gives it OUT! Elgar goes for the REVIEW but Hawkeye shows it's smashing into off stump. Poor Elgar, that's a pair on debut, but great bowling from Johnson.
1740: OUCH! Johnson bowls a wicked short ball to the new batsman, Dean Elgar, and the debutant lets it hit him on the elbow. CLOSE! The next ball is another good bouncer and it hits Elgar again and goes through on the full to the keeper. Australia appeal but it's not out.
1736: WICKET! (Amla 196, c&b Johnson, SA 4-436) Oh no, what a shame for Amla! He looked destined for 200 but he's crunched a ball from Johnson straight back at the bowler and Mitch stuck out his right hand and somehow held onto it. It's a great catch, and it brings an end to a great innings. Big breakthrough for Australia though.
1733: CLOSE! That's lucky for Amla, he gets an inside edge off a ball from Starc and it narrowly misses his stumps. FOUR! But then Starc releases the pressure by bowling a short and wide one that Amla cuts for four. The South African is on 195 now - is it too early to start thinking about a triple-hundred? SA 3-431
1730: CLOSE! That's another good ball from Johnson, de Villiers goes for the square drive but once again it swings back in to the right-hander and just misses the inside edge.
1724: FOUR! de Villiers crunches a wide one from Starc to the cover boundary. SA 3-421
1722: CLOSE! That one came out of nowhere from Johnson. He got it to start going across Amla and then swing back in, and ends up going between bat and pad, not missing the stumps by much. Good ball.
1720: Young says: hi anthony how on earth can you pick starc not a test bowler gets carted by good batsman so kumar would be loving this
Antony says: Starc certainly looked like a Test bowler in the first innings. Admittedly he hasn't bowled very well in the second innings, but many in the know think he has a future in Test cricket.
1716: FOUR! de Villiers moves along to 70 with a very nice late cut that splits the slips and gully. Starc follows it up with a nice yorker that swings back into the batsman. FOUR! And another good ball, this time a bit shorter, but luckily for de Villiers it catches a thick outside edge and goes past gully for four. SA 3-414
1713: OG of Jerramungup says: Has Clarke bowled in this innings yet, if not why not? he usually takes a wicket when he comes on. Is his back crook? I consider Lyon a very average bowler.
Rippersportspro of NSW believes he has the answer: For those wondering why Clarke only bowls sporadically, it's because of a chronic back problem he has.
1710: FOUR! Hastings bowls another one that just gives Amla too much width, and he buries it with a nice cut shot. Not great bowling by Hastings there. SA 3-405
1707: FOUR! SHOT! That's a picture-perfect cover drive from de Villiers, he got down on one knee and absolutely crunched that ball from Starc. SA 3-400
1705: you cant handle the truth of nth qld says: The pitch isn't getting better to bat on, the bowlers are just useless.
Antony says: I suppose that's one way of looking at it. The pitch is definitely easier to bat on now than it was on day one.
1703: FOUR! Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack and is immediately whipped behind square leg for four by de Villiers.
1700: FOUR! Hastings bowls too wide and too short and de Villiers punishes it with a cut shot for four. That brings up his FIFTY! It came off 98 balls.
1658: It looks like the part-time bowlers have had their time in the sun, as Australia have taken the new ball. John Hastings gets first use of it, and his first ball is a good one.
1655: WOW! The fans at the WACA give out a huge cheer as none other than Ricky Ponting is brought in to have a bowl. Punter is bowling his medium pacers today.
1651: The lead is up to 440 now. It would have to take a massive world record for Australia to chase that in the fourth innings.
1645: Cam of Brissy says: While this game is disappointing, I hunk we can be heartened by the fact we have given sth Africa a real fight this summer. We probably win game 2 if Patterson doesn't get injured or Watson is playing to help keep sidle fresh. Hilly though does have to go back to shield cricket for a while IMO. Cutting or bird to come in with siddle, and either Johnson or starc to stay. That would be a pretty good attack IMO.
Antony says: I tend to agree Cam, although in regards to injuries, South Africa have had their fair share in this series as well.
1643: FOUR! Hussey bowls Amla a gift, short and wide, and the South African needs no second invitation, crunching the ball for four. FOUR! Next ball goes for four as well, this with time a straight drive. Amla has raced to 170 now. SA 3-364
1641: CLOSE! Amla punches a ball from Warner to mid-off and takes off for a quick single, Johnson is the fielder and has a shy at the stumps but just misses. That would have been close. Another bowling change now, Michael Hussey replaces Lyon.
1639: David Warner comes into the attack. We now have spin from both ends on day three at the WACA.
1636: SIX! Wow, that's a big one from de Villiers. He charges Lyon and smashes the ball straight as an arrow, high and long, and it lands in the top tier of the stand. FOUR! Amazing! He follows it up with a a cute reverse sweep that goes for four. SA 3-351
1632: Australia are continuing to bowl accurately here, and are getting a few more dot balls as a result. Can they turn this pressure into a wicket?
1627: FOUR! Good shot from de Villiers there. Johnson dropped short and A.B. rocked onto his back foot and pulled it powerfully in front of square for four. That brings up the 400 lead. SA 3-338
1623: The debate between Paul of Brisbane and Parko of Queanbeyan goes on ... paul of brisbane says: how many teams in world cricket can go down five bowlers....{Harris, Cummins,Pattinson, Sidddle, and HIlf} and play at worlds best level. Go fellas!! hopefully this wicket has just got flatter and will hold up and maybe theres plenty of runs left to be had out there for the next two days!
Parko of Queanbeyan says: @Paul - the CHOICE to "rest" Siddle and Hilfy was the SELECTORS. They need to cop the BLAME more than, perhaps, Hastings, Starc and Johnson.
1617: Mitchell Johnson bowls the second over after lunch, and Amla gets a single straight away with a punch to deep cover.
1614: 150! Amla dances down the pitch and pushes a ball from Lyon down to long-on for a single, bringing up his 150. He seems destined to get a double-hundred here. FOUR! Now de Villiers gets in on the action, whacking a full toss back down the ground for four. SA 3-325
1611: OK the players and umpires are walking back out into the middle. Australia really need a breakthrough here otherwise they can pretty much kiss the No.1 spot in the world rankings goodbye. The lead is 382 - how much more will South Africa get? Nathan Lyon will bowl the first over after lunch.
1607: Muppets Wanted To Sledge Amal of Worst sledgers and Sooks says: What happened to the Muppets plan of sledgeing Amla..LOL
1601: joel of tasmania says: So antony what is your team for the 1st test against sri lanka with ponting retiring and who will be the bowling attack? Im thinking hughes for ponting and siddle hilfenhaus starc and lyon to lead the attack
Antony says: If Siddle and Hilfenhaus are both fit to go, I'd probably go with Siddle, Starc, Lyon and either Hilfenhaus or Bird. Both are very familiar with Bellerive/Blundstone Arena and have had plenty of success there. I'd like to see Bird given a go but if Hilfenhaus can fix up his action then he could have more success down there.
1552: We are terrible says: Daniel of Melbourne: You have to call it as it is. losing a test series at home again is nothing to show off about.
Antony says: Obviously nothing to show off about, but not something that should cause a crisis either. South Africa are the No.1 side in the world for a reason - and the game isn't over just yet, even if the result looks like a foregone conclusion.
1545: If you haven't done so already, make sure you register your team for our Fantasy Big Bash competition! There's less than a week until it all kicks off, so pick your team to go in the running to win $10,000 of cash prizes!
1540: Rippersportspro of NSW says: It's still a belter of a pitch at the WACA at the moment so hopefully Australia can get these last 7 wickets today. I expect them to probably be chasing about 550-600. Surely the Aussies can believe that they can chase down whatever is thrown at them as the number 1 ranking is on the line and that Ponting has 1 last solid score in him.
Antony says: He might have one, but Australia will need more than one solid score to reach whatever total the Proteas set for them.
1533: LUNCH (SA 3-320, Amla 149*, de Villiers 18*). That's the end of the first session on day three. Once again South Africa were dominant, but the Aussies were given a glimmer of hope with the wicket of Kallis. They desperately need to get rid of Amla though, while he'll be looking towards a double-hundred after lunch. Stick with us through the lunch break as the conversation continues.
1527: Lyon will now bowl the penultimate over of the session. Can the Aussies get another breakthrough before lunch? CLOSE! Almost! Amla tries to flick one off his hip and the ball balloons up near Wade. There are shouts of catch, and Hotspot shows there was an edge, but it lands harmlessly.
1524: At least Australia have slowed down the flow of runs now. South Africa are scoring at 2.8 per over over the last 10 overs. Starc has found his line and length.
1519: Phill of Coogee says: Aussies have nothing in their bowling attack, Batting not much better.
Daniel of Melbourne says: I love the part where all these guys are going on about averages as a gauge to pick players ... These comments coming from the same guys who wanted Siddle gone from the team after Brisbane and are now wishing he was back. Just remember that arguably South Africa's lifesaver du Plessis only had a FC average of 38 and look what he has done. I'm sure the same people who are pleading for the selection of Cutting and Bird would jump on top of them if they had a few bad games. Must be fun Antony to watch all these pessimistic gentlemen get riled up on these forums.
Antony says: It is a pleasure, and an honour.
1516: FOUR! Lyon throws one up and de Villiers takes the opportunity to play a good square drive that goes for four all the way along the ground. SA 3-315
1513: Good fielding! de Villiers pushes one into the covers and thinks about a single before sending Amla back. Warner picks up, turns and throws in one motion and hits the stumps at the non-striker's end. No chance of a run out, but still superb fielding. The Aussies have been very good in the field in this match.
1510: paul of brisbane says: we beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka just last year was it not! pretty sure Sangakarra was there. every bad day in cricket sees a bunch of armchair crickets wanting to replace half the team! ridiculous
Antony says: Very good point Paul, but I'd still be predicting big things for Sangakarra this summer, even if Australia do better as a whole. He batted superbly last time he was in these parts - especially in Hobart.
1507: SHOT! de Villiers pulls out the reverse sweep and executes it well, and the ball looks destined for the boundary until Warner dives at full stretch and restricts them to three. SA 3-310
1505: Bowling change now - Nathan Lyon will have his first bowl of the day, replacing Shane Watson.
1500: APPEAL! Amla tries to flick a ball from Starc off his hip but it clips his thigh pad on the way through to the 'keeper. There's a half-hearted shout from Starc but the umpire says NOT OUT straight away.
1455: FOUR! Starc drops short to de Villiers and the Proteas batsman plays a nice pull shot that runs along the carpet to the square leg boundary. SA 3-302
1450: The conversation goes on between Al and Mark ... Al of smugville says: @2 what has north got to do with anything that is Australian cricket ? the player to replace punter will be P Huhges. I hope watson produces but Watson spot is not the in ?just his position in the line up
Mark says: @AI, I mention North because he's the famous one for scoring 100s and then hardly any runs inbetween. I hardly doubt that these bowlers would bowl against Sri Lanka, the bowling team would hopefully be Siddle, Bird and Cutting. Two inform bowlers with good career avgs, Siddle needs to come in as he is the leader of the attack look what happened without him.
1444: CLOSE! FOUR! Amla gets a thick edge to a ball from Starc but it goes along the ground past a diving third slip and runs away to the boundary. SA 3-293
1440: So they didn't get the man they really wanted, but will this give Australia's bowlers the lift they need? La La probably doesn't think so ... La La says: Can you imagine what Kumar Sangakkara will do to these pie chuckers!
Antony says: Maybe a touch harsh on the Aussie bowlers, but I take your point - Sangakarra would probable be licking his lips at the moment.
1437: WICKET! (Kallis 37 , c Johnson b Starc, SA 3-287) And Australia have their breakthrough! Kallis plays a hook shot to a short ball from Starc, but gets a top edge and Mitchell Johnson takes a good catch on the boundary at fine leg. Australia desperately needed that breakthrough. That brings A.B. de Villiers to the crease.
1435: Mitchell Starc replaces Hastings at the Prindiville End for the first over after drinks. CLOSE! And midway through the over he gets one to beat the edge of Kallis's bat.
1430: Watson bowls a tidy over, and that brings drinks onto the ground. Not a great first hour for Australia.
1426: Speak of the devil - Shane Watson comes on to bowl in place of Starc.
1425: Numbers says: Mark (comment 2), Watson has made 527 runs @ 26.35 in his last 20 test innings. In those 20 test innings he's made 4 test 50's and failed to reach double figures on 8 occasions. Most top order batsmen would come under some sort of scrutiny with stats like those.
Antony says: You make a fair point, Numbers. I guess, as some have suggested, he's being saved by his bowling at the moment.
1423: FOUR! Now Kallis gets in on the act, waltzing across his stumps to a ball outside off and whipping it through mid-wicket for four. This is all too easy for the Proteas. SA 2-282
1421: FOUR! Yet another boundary from Amla - his 16th in this innings - cutting Starc in front of point. That takes Amla to 1000 runs for the calendar year. That's the third most in the world, behind Michael Clarke and Alastair Cook. SA 2-278
1418: FOUR! Wow, that flew off Amla's bat! Another decent ball from Starc, but Amla times his cover drive to perfection and it races to the boundary at a serious rate of knots. SA 2-274
1417: Good fielding! Kallis crunches another cut shot to point but this time David Warner is equal to the task, stopping the ball well. The ball actually didn't bounce that far ahead of Warner, and it looks like Ponting might have told Warner to take a step forward so next time it will reach him on the full.
1415: Too Good has a slightly less optimistic view than SRT of Mumbai: Wow,this is a humiliating defeat.
Antony says: Each to their own!
1413: FOUR! That was too short and too wide from Hastings, and Kallis plays a nice cut shot past gully for four. SA 2-268
1410: What was that?! Starc pitches up well outside off stump, the perfect ball to drive through the covers, but Amla was already walking across his stumps and ends up jumping towards point and flicking it to mid-on. That was an outrageous shot, and he got no runs for it! CLOSE! Now Starc bowls short and Amla tries to cut it over gully, but it goes past the edge. CLOSE! And now Starc beats the edge with a fuller ball. Good contest here!
1407: CLOSE! Kallis goes for another back-foot drive but this time Hastings moves the ball in slightly and the South African ends up getting an inside edge, and the all hits him in the stomach. Good bowling from Hastings. Mitchell Starc will replace Mitchell Johnson from the other end now.
1405: SRT of Mumbai says: I am neither an Aussie nor a Saffa , but this game is far from over. The last thing the Safa's want is to get complacent. They have lots of time left , the third day is the best day to bat at WACA , they need to make sure that they bat the entire day and put atleast another 300 on the board. They don't want the Aussies to bat on the best day to bat on at WACA.
Antony says: There certainly is plenty of time left - it's easy to forget this is only day three! A win does seem far-fetched for Australia, but then again it also looked far-fetched when South Africa were chasing 414 at this same ground in 2008.
1401: FOUR! That's an exquisite shot from Amla. Johnson bowls slightly short, really not a bad ball at all, and Amla plays a delicate late cut that goes between slips and gully and runs away to the boundary. SA 2-260
1357: Michael Clarke is trying something different here, he's got two men catching at short cover with a sweeper on the boundary, but Amla still manages to guide one through gully for three. The Proteas batsmen look just as comfortable this morning as they did yesterday. SA 2-256
1353: Mark says: Who's the blogger today? Also so what if Watson only has 2 100s? He scores consistent 50s which is what the team needs. I'd rather Watson than North
Antony says: Hi Mark. In answer to your first question, it's me, Antony. Pleasure to meet you. Secondly, I tend to agree - consistent runs are more beneficial to the team than a hundred every now and then.
1349: FOUR! Johnson overpitches again, this time with a bit more width, and Amla drivers a bit squarer this time but it still goes for four. CLOSE! FOUR! Wow! The next ball is very wide and Amla stretches for it, ends up hitting it with just one hand on the bat, the ball goes in the air to gully and Hussey almost holds onto a screamer, but he can't hold onto it and the ball goes for four. SA 2-246
1345: Good fielding! Kallis pushes a ball from Hastings to mid-wicket and takes off for a single, Shane Watson picks up the ball and throws down the stumps in one motion, but Amla was safely home.
1342: FOUR! Johnson overpitches slightly and Amla just punches it, doesn't try hit it too hard at all, and the ball races through cover for four. Top shot. SA 2-236
1339: Joel of Tasmania says: Just a intresting stat i found, Shane watson has only 2 tes 100 in his career the last one was in 2010, is anyone questioning his batting postion?
Antony says: Hi Joel, I think a fair few people were questioning whether Watson would deserve his spot in the line-up if he couldn't bowl (which would have been the case if he was picked for the second Test). His Test batting record certainly isn't world-beating. There's a good article on the topic from cricket writer Malcolm Conn, which you can read here.
1335: John Hastings will bowl the second over of the day, and he starts off with a couple of good line and length balls.
1332: HUNDRED! Hashim Amla brings up his century with a flick off his hip for a single down to fine leg. What an innings that is from the South African - it came off just 87 balls. Sensational batting. SA 2-231
1330: OK we're ready for play at the WACA, and it's Mitchell Johnson bowling to Hashim Amla. First ball is a bouncer that goes through to the 'keeper.
1326: Which Australian bowler is most likely to get a breakthrough? How long will it take Hashim Amla to get to 100? Let us know your thoughts!
1320: Hello and welcome to day three of foxsports.com.au's LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the third Test between Australia and South Africa. The weather is looking good at the WACA and we're almost ready for the start of the day's play, with Australia's bowlers desperate for early wickets, while Hashim Amla will be keen to get the solitary run he needs to get his hundred. Stick with us throughout the day and don't forget to send in your questions and comments by emailing blogs@foxsports.com.au or leaving a comment at th
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