Inglis Carey Partnership Puts Australia in Control
The Inglis Carey partnership of 145 unbeaten runs carried Australia to 330-4 at the close of day two of the South Africa vs Australia third Test at Newlands, one run ahead of the hosts' first-innings 329.
Josh Inglis finished unbeaten on 85 and Alex Carey was 51 not out. South Africa's attack created few wicket-taking opportunities across the day and never built the scoreboard pressure needed to break the stand.
Steve Smith's Neck Injury Opens the Door for Inglis
Inglis came into the side for Steve Smith, who was ruled out of the Cape Town Test after failing to fully recover from a neck injury. Smith's absence forced Australia to rework a middle order that had been settled for most of the series.
Inglis's answer was an unbeaten 85 on a surface traditionally at its best for batting on days two and three. The Newlands pitch offered little seam or swing, and South Africa's pace bowlers found no lateral movement to work with.
Australia's selection call was straightforward once Smith was ruled out, but the shape of the innings depended on how quickly the replacement settled. Inglis and Carey batted together to the close without being separated.
Simon Harmer and Marco Jansen Strike Without Reward
Simon Harmer (2-84) removed Travis Head with his first ball of the match. Head, who made 41 in an opening stand of 58 with Matt Renshaw, chopped the ball onto his stumps playing off the back foot — a mode of dismissal the source notes has become familiar for him.
Harmer also dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for a duck, caught by Aiden Markram at slip, as Labuschagne's poor run in Tests continued. Every other Australian batter got in and scored runs.
Marco Jansen (2-37) broke the 126-run third-wicket stand between Renshaw and Cameron Green, removing both in quick succession. Renshaw was caught by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton and Green edged to Harmer at slip.
South Africa toiled in the field. Their four wickets came in two clusters rather than through sustained pressure, and Australia's batters were able to reset after each breakthrough.
Series Level at 1-1 With the Top Ranking at Stake
South Africa were bowled out for 329 on day one, with Marques Ackerman making a career-best 95 and Mitchell Starc taking 6-72. The series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs and South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run win in Gqeberha.
The winner in Cape Town will take the number one position in the Test world rankings, currently held by Australia. Australia lead by one run with six wickets in hand, and the momentum sits with the visitors.
What Day Three Hinges On
Australia's priority is to turn the stand into a lead large enough to take South Africa out of the match. Inglis and Carey have already batted through the period when the pitch was expected to be at its most forgiving.
The question for South Africa is whether Harmer, who has carried the spin burden, and Jansen can find any assistance as the surface begins to change. The hosts have not held pressure from both ends for long enough to make the new ball or the second one count.
The original report is available via skysports.com.
