Adelaide, November 25: Usman Khawaja posted a century as Australia battled to 307/6 in their first innings on the second day of the third cricket Test against South Africa here on Friday.
Khawaja remained unbeaten on 138 at stumps with Mitchell Starc batting on 16 at the other end. The hosts now lead the Proteas by 48 runs. The visitors had declared their first innings at 259/9. Khawaja, who has faced 285 balls so far, hit 12 boundaries during his daylong vigil in the middle. This was his fifth Test century. Australia captain Steven Smith and debutant wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Handscomb notched up half-centuries.
Smith scored 59 with eight boundaries and a six before being run out following miscommunication with Khawaja. Handscomb scored at a fast clip, notching up 54 runs off 78 deliveries. He hit six boundaries before an incoming Kyle Abbott delivery went between his bat and pad to disturb the off-stump.
Abbott was the most successful among the South African bowlers with figures of 3/38. Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada produced excellent displays of fast bowling to pick up a wicket each.Starting the day at 14/0, South Africa lost overnight batsman Matt Renshaw in the fourth over the day when Dean Elgar pulled off a superb catch of Abbott’s bowling. Abbott got rid of David Warner as well which saw Smith join Khawaja in the middle. The duo set about trying to pull the Australians out of trouble with a 137-run stand.
Both batsmen seemed to be in good touch and could have put Australia in a more dominant position, but Smith had to go back to the pavilion due to some poor running between the wickets between him and Khawaja.
Smith had called for a quick single off Tabraiz Shamsi, but had to get back to his crease with Khawaja belatedly deciding that a run wasn’t feasible. However, before Smith got back to safety, Vernon Philander’s throw found South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock who whipped off the bails.
Handscomb then joined Khawaja in the middle and the duo added 99 runs between them to take Australia past the Proteas’ first innings total. The South African pacers however, hit back late in the final session of the day with three quick wickets.
Handscomb batted steadily although he had to wait nervously towards the end of the post-lunch session when South Africa unsuccessfully reviewed a leg before call. He soon raced past the half-century mark with three consecutive boundaries off Philander. But he did not last long after reaching the landmark and was bowled by an in-swinger from Abbott two overs later.
ICC disappointed at Du Plessis ball-tampering appeal
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have expressed disappointment at South Africa captain Faf du Plessis’s decision to lodge an appeal after he was found guilty of a ball-tampering in the second test against Australia.
Du Plessis, who was fined his entire fee for the match in Hobart, was cleared to play in the third test in Adelaide and scored a defiant century on Thursday’s opening day after walking to the wicket to a chorus of derision from the crowd.
Cricket South Africa said in a statement on Thursday he would appeal the decision, which prompted the ICC to respond before the second day’s play in Adelaide.
“The ICC is disappointed that Faf du Plessis has chosen not to accept the findings of Match Referee Andy Pycroft and will instead exercise his right to appeal,” the world governing body said in a statement.
The 32-year-old, standing in for injured regular captain AB de Villiers, was charged after television footage showed him applying saliva to the ball while sucking on a sweet.
The ICC said on Friday the action breached the rules of cricket in relation to applying a foreign substance to the ball.
