Josh Inglis and Alex Carey put Australia in control of the series-deciding third Test in Cape Town, taking the tourists to 4-330 at stumps on day two, one run ahead of South Africa’s 329.
Inglis, who came into the side after Steve Smith was ruled out, was unbeaten on 85 from 111 balls and Carey was 51 not out, the ESPNcricinfo scorecard shows. Their unbroken stand is worth 145 for the fifth wicket.
Matt Renshaw (74) and Cameron Green (65) also made half-centuries at Newlands on Wednesday, SuperSport reported, as Australia batted through all 90 overs.
Harmer’s double strike
Renshaw and Travis Head put on 58 for the first wicket before off-spinner Simon Harmer removed Head for 41 and Marnus Labuschagne for a duck in the same over.
Renshaw and Green then added 126 for the third wicket before Marco Jansen took both of their wickets shortly before tea, leaving Australia 4-185.
Read more: Steve Smith Ruled Out as Mitchell Starc Takes Six in Cape Town
What Renshaw said
“It was just sticking to our processes. We knew they would come hard at us but it was just about building partnerships,” Renshaw said after play, according to SuperSport.
Renshaw also praised Inglis. “He has a lot of different options, he can hit down the ground, over mid-wicket, he’s a good player of spin so he doesn’t give them anywhere really to bowl,” he said.
Labuschagne pressure grows
Labuschagne’s five-ball duck adds to questions over the No.3 spot, while the Sydney Morning Herald said Inglis, Renshaw and Green had offered a glimpse of life after Smith.
Read more: Three changes: Connolly, Green in for Cape Town Test, Renshaw to the top of order
Proteas bowling coach Piet Botha said the hosts did not build enough pressure. “We just didn’t create enough pressure through maidens and good lengths,” he said.
Mitchell Starc took 6-72 on day one as South Africa were bowled out for 329. The series is level at 1-1, and day three starts at 7.30pm AEDT on Thursday.
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