After a shocking start, with a bad call at the toss and a wayward bowling performance across the first two hours, Australia roared back into the Test in the afternoon. They were helped by careless South African batting, as their happy hookers allowed a position of 203-1 to become 232-6. Aiden Markram, David Bedingham and Wiaan Mulder were all out attempting to take on the short balls, for 78, 50 and nought respectively. On 95, opener Marques Ackerman ran past one from Nathan Lyon with the glory of a first Protea century in his sights, and captain Temba Bavuma was undone by a straight ball from Lyon.
While Australia stuck to their task in the afternoon, fielding well and drying up the scoring, most impressive was the way Mitchell Starc thundered in during the day's final moments. At 327-6, South Africa could have finished this enthralling day in the ascendancy. Instead, Starc took four wickets in six deliveries with the new ball, first prising out Ryan Rickelton for 42 and Marco Jansen for 52. He targeted pads and stumps, bowled Gerald Coetzee and pinned Kagiso Rabada lbw for ducks. South Africa were all out for 329.
Somehow, after everything, if either side is happy, it is Australia. Captain Pat Cummins chose to bowl under blue skies, and South Africa plundered the bowling through the opening session. Few anticipated this finale. But Cummins' Australia held firm again where other sides have folded.
As a side they remain imperfect. They could yet lose this Test, a result that could have wider repercussions for next year's Ashes. Their batting line-up is flawed, with Steve Smith out injured. But Australia find a way, often when teetering near the brink.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing