AUSTRALIA TOUR OF SA
John Goliath|Published
Here are five key takeaways from a frantic, action-packed fourth day at St George's Park, where the Proteas completely dominated proceedings to leave Australia fighting for survival at 156/4 in their second innings (trailing by 170 runs) after being forced to follow on.
Marco Jansen’s masterclass seals first-innings rout
Having already starred with the bat, scoring a fluent 85, Marco Jansen delivered an all-round masterclass by spearheading the South African bowling attack.
The towering left-arm paceman took 5/33 in Australia's first innings, dismantling their middle order with relentless pace and steep bounce.
In his morning spell, he got rid of the dangerous Travis Head, before coming back before lunch, where he struck twice in three balls to remove the dangerous Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey.
Follow-on enforced as Proteas seamers dominate
Armed with a massive 326-run lead after wrapping up Australia's last four wickets after lunch for just 30 runs, Temba Bavuma had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on.
Kagiso Rabada celebrated a milestone by taking his 200th Test wicket on home soil in Australia’s first innings when he removed Mitchell Starc, while Wiaan Mulder chipped in with two crucial wickets, including the big scalp of Steve Smith for 28 shortly after the former Australian captain surpassed 11,000 Test runs.
Injury concerns mount for Nortje and Smith
The day was not without its casualties for both sides. Proteas speedster Anrich Nortje pulled up in his fourth over of the morning session with a groin tweak and was unable to bowl for the rest of the day, a significant blow to South Africa’s workload management.
Meanwhile, Australia’s batting order was shuffled in their second innings, with Steve Smith dropping down the order due to a persistent neck strain that left him unable to bat in his No 4 usual position.
Head and Labuschagne mount second-innings counter-attack
Australia stumbled early in their second innings when Rabada removed Nic Maddinson for 8. However, Travis Head (87*) and Marnus Labuschagne (39) displayed admirable grit, constructing a fluent 92-run second-wicket partnership to slow South Africa's momentum.
Head brought up a fighting, counter-attacking half-century to lead Australia's resistance through the afternoon and evening sessions under darkening skies and heavy wind.
Harmer and Rabada strike late to keep Proteas in complete command
Just as Australia looked set to bat out the day, South Africa's bowlers struck vital blows before stumps.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer broke the dangerous stand by removing Labuschagne, before later trapping Beau Webster lbw for 8.
In between, Rabada returned to bowl Matt Renshaw for 11. With Australia closing at 156/4, still 170 runs behind with nightwatchman Scott Boland set to resume on Thursday morning alongside Head.