Josh Inglis and Alex Carey shared an unbroken 145-run stand as Australia reached 330 for 4 at stumps on day two of the third Test at Newlands, taking a one-run first-innings lead over South Africa’s 329 in the series decider.
Cape Town, South Africa: Australia lost their best batter before a ball was bowled, and still finished day two ahead. Steve Smith missed the series decider with a neck injury after trying to bat on the morning of the match, and the side that replaced him ended Wednesday on 330 for 4, a lead of one run, with Josh Inglis unbeaten on 85 and Alex Carey on 51.
A reshuffled side, and a quick start
Smith’s absence forced a rebuild of the top of the order. Inglis came in for him, Cameron Green moved up to No. 4, and Matt Renshaw opened the innings. Australia made four changes in all, with Green, Inglis, Connolly and Lyon in, and Webster, Boland and Maddinson out. Renshaw said afterwards that the fast outfield had helped the scoring rate, and the openers made the most of it, putting on 58 before Simon Harmer broke the stand with his first ball of the match. Travis Head, on 41, chopped a cut onto his stumps. Marnus Labuschagne lasted five balls, edging to Aiden Markram at slip for a duck, and Australia were 58 for 2 after a double-wicket maiden.
Renshaw and Green rebuild
Renshaw and Green answered with a third-wicket stand of 126. Marco Jansen ended it, having Renshaw caught by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton for 74, and Green followed a run later for 65, edging to Harmer at slip. At 185 for 4, South Africa had a chance to drag the game back, and Jansen finished the day with 2 for 37.
Inglis and Carey take control
That chance did not come. Inglis, playing in place of the injured Smith, made 85 from 111 balls, while Carey was the anchor, with 51 from 126 deliveries. Newlands is traditionally at its best for batting on days two and three, with little seam or swing for a pace attack to exploit, and the pair batted through the rest of the day without a real scare. South Africa’s attack lacked penetration through the afternoon and evening: Kagiso Rabada went wicketless, and Harmer finished with 2 for 84.
How Australia got here
The recovery stands out against day one, when South Africa had been well placed. They were 203 for 1 before Mitchell Starc’s 6 for 72 helped bowl them out for 329 in 82.3 overs, with Ackerman’s 95, Markram’s 78 and a 52 from Jansen holding the total together after a slide to 232 for 6. Australia’s reply has now matched that total with four wickets down.
What it means for Thursday
The series stands at 1-1. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, and South Africa levelled with an innings-and-31-run win in Gqeberha. The winner at Newlands will take the number one Test ranking, currently held by Australia. Australia have six wickets in hand, with Pat Cummins, Connolly, Starc, Lyon and Josh Hazlewood still to bat behind the overnight pair, so the lead South Africa concede in the morning session could decide the game. Play resumes on Thursday.
Score at stumps, day two: Australia 330 for 4 in 90 overs, a lead of one run over South Africa’s first-innings 329.
Batting: Josh Inglis 85*, Alex Carey 51*, Matt Renshaw 74, Cameron Green 65, Travis Head 41, Marnus Labuschagne 0.
Bowling: Marco Jansen 2 for 37, Simon Harmer 2 for 84.
