Josh Inglis hit an unbeaten 85 as Australia recovered from the loss of two quick wickets to reach 4-330 at stumps on day two of the tie-breaking third Test in Cape Town, taking the lead over South Africa. Matt Renshaw made 74, recalled Cameron Green 65 and Alex Carey was 51 not out.
Josh Inglis struck an unbeaten 85 as Australia finished day two of the tie-breaking third Test against South Africa in Cape Town at 4-330, moving into the lead.
Matt Renshaw made 74 and recalled Cameron Green 65, and the pair added 126 together before Marco Jansen removed both in successive overs. Travis Head contributed 41, while Marnus Labuschagne fell for a duck five balls later. Alex Carey was 51 not out, sharing an unbroken stand of 145 in 38.4 overs with Inglis that absorbed the second new ball.
Renshaw said coach Andrew McDonald's pre-play message was about sticking to processes and building partnerships. "We knew that they were going to come hard through periods, and it was just about building partnerships," he said.
Green survived a low edge to the slips when replays proved inconclusive, consistent with a Labuschagne catch ruled not out in Durban. He then launched Kagiso Rabada for three consecutive hooks, one landing centimetres from a fielder, prompting Renshaw to walk down for a chat. "He did hit 16 off three balls, so he got the run rate up a bit," Renshaw said.
Steve Smith watched the day's play as a spectator, still suffering whiplash-like symptoms from a neck injury. Captain Pat Cummins padded up at number eight, a day after showing more confidence in his bowlers than his batsmen at the toss.
After play, South Africa revealed Rabada had been battling stomach cramps and Jansen back stiffness. In his report, Daniel Brettig argues that Labuschagne must surely be spelled for the home series against New Zealand.
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Runs scored by Australia’s batters on day two in Cape Town
runs
Source: Sydney Morning Herald / The Age match report
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Analysis
Why This Matters
Australia moves into the lead in the deciding Test of a level series, putting it in position to claim the series in Cape Town.
Steve Smith's neck injury and Marnus Labuschagne's loss of form leave selection questions ahead of the home series against New Zealand.
The performances of Inglis, Renshaw and Green offer Australia a glimpse of a batting future beyond Smith and Labuschagne.
Background
This is the third and deciding Test of a three-match series between Australia and South Africa, level at one win each after two matches. Australia were bowled out for 99 in Gqeberha earlier in the series, and the current match is being played at Newlands in Cape Town as part of a compressed three-Test schedule.
What to Watch
Whether Australia can extend its substantial lead on day three, and how South Africa's attack holds, with Kagiso Rabada battling stomach cramps and Marco Jansen managing back stiffness.
Whether Steve Smith is fit to bat later in the match after watching the day's play with whiplash-like symptoms.
Whether the selectors act on Marnus Labuschagne's form, with Daniel Brettig arguing he should be spelled for the home series against New Zealand.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedInglis, Renshaw and Green put Australia on top in the Cape Town Test.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Inglis’ stand with wicketkeeper Alex Carey (51 not out) absorbed the second new ball and was ultimately worth 145 in 38.4 overs by the close, taking Australia into the lead at 4-330”
SupportedInglis’s unbeaten 85 helped Australia reach 4-330 and take the lead at Newlands.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “By day’s end in Cape Town, it had been Inglis to make the most indelible mark on proceedings with a damaging and unbeaten 85”
SupportedAustralia recovered from losing two quick wickets to reach 4-330 at stumps on day two of the tie-breaking third Test in Cape Town.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Twice they lost two wickets in quick succession”
SupportedMatt Renshaw scored 74.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “a decent platform had been laid by Travis Head (41), Matt Renshaw (74) and the recalled Cameron Green (65).”
SupportedRecalled Cameron Green scored 65.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “a decent platform had been laid by Travis Head (41), Matt Renshaw (74) and the recalled Cameron Green (65).”
SupportedAlex Carey was 51 not out and shared an unbroken 145-run stand with Inglis in 38.4 overs that absorbed the second new ball.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Inglis’ stand with wicketkeeper Alex Carey (51 not out) absorbed the second new ball and was ultimately worth 145 in 38.4 overs by the close”
SupportedRenshaw said McDonald’s pre-play message was about sticking to processes and building partnerships.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““It was just sticking to our processes as long as possible,” Renshaw said of McDonald’s words. “We knew that they were going to come hard through periods, and it was just about building partnerships.””
SupportedGreen’s low edge to the slips was reviewed, but replays were inconclusive; the story compares it with a Labuschagne catch ruled not out in Durban.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “A third wicket may have followed soon after lunch when Green offered a low edge into the slips. But replays were inconclusive and, consistent with a Labuschagne catch riled not out in Durban, Green carried on his innings.”
SupportedGreen hit three consecutive hooks off Rabada, with one landing centimetres from a fielder, prompting Renshaw to walk down for a chat.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “excepted for when Green launched into Kagiso Rabada with a hat-trick of hook shots. One of these landed centimetres from the grasp of deep square leg, compelling Renshaw to wander down for a chat.”
SupportedRenshaw said: “He did hit 16 off three balls, so he got the run rate up a bit.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““He did hit 16 off three balls, so he got the run rate up a bit.””
SupportedSouth Africa revealed after play that Rabada had been battling stomach cramps and Jansen had back stiffness.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “After play South Africa revealed he had battles stomach cramps, while Jansen was also dealing with some back stiffness”
SupportedDaniel Brettig argues Labuschagne must surely be spelled for the home series against New Zealand.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Labuschagne must surely be spelled for the home series against New Zealand.”