Live cricket scores: Australia’s Test series against South Africa comes down to final day
Australia’s Test series against South Africa has come down to an epic final day in Cape Town. Follow all the action with our live blog.
Australia’s Test series against South Africa has come down to an epic final day in Cape Town.
With the series on the line, Australia will have to chase down an imposing 288 runs to win on the final day of the series after centuries to Wiann Mulder and Ryan Rickleton dragged South Africa into a strong position.
Spinner Simon Harmer looms as the potential match-winner on a wearing pitch with Australia needing to dig deep.
Follow all the action with our live blog.
Jake Santa Maria is reporting live.
Inglis run out as Australia slide further
Amongst every calamitous collapse, there is always a run-out.
Green defends one into the offside and beats Ackerman at short leg as they set off for a run.
But Ackerman is quick to recover and throw to Rickleton above the stumps, who whips the bails off with Inglis well short.
Looks like Green made the call; no need to take that kind of risk in that situation.
Another 99 is on the cards here
AUS 4-41.
Green survives a review
Jansen has beaten both Inglis and Green on multiple occasions
He slides one past Green’s inside edge and goes up for a big LBW shout. Sounded like two noises, but Jansen talks Bavuma into going upstairs.
But replays show a clear edge, and Green survives.
The target is below 250, but I think Australia will be batting for survival now.
AUS 3-40
Harmer drops Green
Green comes down the wicket to Harmer, turning the ball into a low full toss, which he drives straight back to the bowler.
It’s a tough chance, staying low as Harmer reaches out with his left hand but can’t hang on.
About the first thing that has gone wrong for South Africa today but was a very touch chance.
AUS 3-34
Spin in
Simon Harmer is in for the first time today with two right-handers in Inglis and Green at the crease.
He’s got plenty of rough to work with outside off stump and nearly catches Green’s inside edge first ball.
He gets off strike as Inglis unfurls a couple reverse sweeps but can’t beat the field, dangerous shot in the circumstances
AUS 3-31 trail by 257
GONE HEAD FALLS!
Wisely or foolishly, Travis Head has continued to play his natural game despite the score.
He’s gone hard at any width and he’s loose outside off stump as a bit of extra bounce catches the outside edge of his drive, sending the ball straight to Marco Jansen at gully.
Simple catch at Rabada has three in 30 minutes.
With that, he becomes the second fastest South African to 350 wickets behind only Dayle Steyn.
Cam Green off the mark
A famously nervous starter, he couldn’t have come in a worse situation,
He’s watchful outside off stump before getting a bit of width and pushing a single into the covers.
Head nearly falls with a flash just over gully for four.
AUS 2-14.
OH MARNUS! What have you done???
That is surely his last innings in Australian colours.
On a length and he shoulders arms as the ball comes back in and flicks his back pad.
He reviews but the ball is shown to be clipping the off stump. He might say he’s unlucky, but you can’t not play a shot to that ball.
Australia two down inside the first over and we could be in for a quick finish.
GOLDEN DUCK FOR RENSHAW
First runs of the day as Head flicks an easy single off his hip.
GONE! Caught down the leg side.
Disastrous start for Australia as Rabada strays on the pads and Renshaw can only tickle it fine straight through to the keeper.
South Africa are ecstatic as Australia’s best batter of the tour is gone straight away. Renshaw will consider himself a touch unlucky, but what a start for the home side.
Now then. Marnus to the crease, perhaps for the last time in Test cricket?
Here we go
Rabada tales new ball with Travis Head on strike.
Conditions against Australia
After four days in the blistering sun dark clouds have moved over Cape Town just in time for South Africa’s bowling cartel to get to work.
Having offered little outside of Mitch Starc’s stunning second new ball burst late on day one, the conditions today could see some swing come into play.
