Tea South Africa 311 and 151 for 3 (De Villiers 18*, Du Plessis 0*) lead Australia 255 (Bancroft 77, Morkel 4-87, Rabada 4-91) by 207 runs
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Aiden Markram fell short of a second century in the series but he ensured South Africa’s lead ballooned beyond 200 on the third afternoon in Cape Town. In gloomy conditions, albeit without any rain having yet fallen, South Africa went to tea on 151 for 3, with a lead of 207 runs, meaning Australia will likely face a hefty chase to win the match. AB de Villiers was on 18 at the break, having just been joined by Faf du Plessis, who was yet to score.
Markram had moved to a half-century from 91 deliveries and had struck 10 fours and two sixes by the time he fell tamely for 84 in the final over before the break, when he chipped a catch to mid-on off the bowling of Mitchell Starc. For the umpteenth time in this series, a wicket had fallen on the verge of a break in play, but as disappointed as Markram would have been, he had at least delivered his team into a very strong position.
Australia claimed two wickets in the session, with Hashim Amla having also chipped a catch for a somewhat soft dismissal, taken at cover off Pat Cummins for 31. His dismissal brought the in-form de Villiers to the crease, and he showed few signs of needing to get his eye in, getting off the mark with a magnificent six slashed through the off side off the bowling of Cummins. Although de Villiers by tea had only added one further boundary, it was still an ominous sign for Australia.
There was also a moment of controversy during the session when the on-field umpires spoke to Australia opener Cameron Bancroft, seemingly about a foreign object he had in his pocket, and while they did not appear to take any action at the time, it is unlikely to be the last heard of the matter.
The morning had started with Australia nine down and 66 runs in arrears, hoping to close the first-innings gap as much as possible, but they could add only 10 runs before Kagiso Rabada had Josh Hazlewood caught at slip to end the innings on 255.
By lunch, South Africa had moved to 65 for 1 in their second innings, and Australia were already ruing an opportunity given to Markram in the first over of the innings, when his thick edge off Starc flew to gully, were Usman Khawaja failed to cling on to a one-handed attempt.
Full report to follow
Source: ESPN Crickinfo