Rabada triple-strike leaves Australia with a mountain to climb
Kagiso Rabada claimed three crucial wickets as South Africa got into an excellent position to push for victory against Australia on the fourth day of the opening Test in Perth on Sunday (November 6).
Set a target of 539 after South Africa declared its second innings at 540 for 8, Australia was wobbling at 169 for 4 at stumps and facing the possibility of a big defeat. Usman Khawaja was on 58 and Mitchell Marsh on 15 when play ended on the fourth evening.
A remarkable piece of fielding by Temba Bavuma removed David Warner for 35 to end an opening stand of 52 after Australia started its second innings soon after the lunch break. Warner tapped the ball in front of him and set off for a quick single, but Bavuma pounced from cover and unleashed a powerful throw while still in mid-air, which rattled the stumps at the non-striker's end with Warner just out of his ground.
The dismissal set the stage for Rabada (3-49) to display his quality in the absence of Dale Steyn because of a shoulder injury suffered on the first day, which has ruled him out for at least six months.
Shaun Marsh, Warner’s fellow opener, was caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis off Rabada for 15 as Australia suddenly slumped to 52 for 2, the two wickets falling at the same team total.
After that, Steven Smith and Khawaja, who was dropped on 41 when Hashim Amla could not hold on to a tough chance at first slip, set about rebuilding the Australian innings. The pair settled in against the spinners, but when the ball started to reverse swing, Rabada came back and ended a 92-run third-wicket stand with an impressive spell.
Bowling with pace in just his ninth Test, Rabada removed Smith (34) and Adam Voges (1) in successive overs.
Smith had looked solid but drove at a ball and got an outside edge to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps. Rabada's next over to Voges was outstanding, with a couple of almost unplayable deliveries before he had the batsman caught behind off a thin outside edge.
Earlier, South Africa declared its second innings when Vernon Philander was bowled by Smith for 73. It ended a quick 72-run stand with Keshav Maharaj (41 not out) as the visiting side added 150 runs in 34.1 overs after resuming on 390 for 6.
It was largely a miserable session for the beleaguered Australians, with the home side having two dismissals overturned by reviews, de Kock the batsman on both occasions, while a catch off Philander was dropped.
Australia finally claimed the wicket of de Kock for 64 to end his 116-run partnership with Philander when he mistimed a drive and was caught in the covers by Voges off Mitchell Marsh. De Kock hit five fours and two sixes in his innings, while Philander had ten fours and two sixes, while Maharaj slammed two fours and three sixes in his 34-ball effort.
South Africa's massive total was underpinned by 141 from Duminy and 127 from Dean Elgar, who put on 250 for the third wicket to strengthen a remarkable comeback after a terrible start to the game.
