Tailenders Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj played a big part too under sunny skies on Sunday, with a partnership of 85 for the eighth wicket, which extended South Africa’s first innings well into the afternoon. Paceman Josh Hazlewood removed them both in a dazzling post-lunch spell and Nathan Lyon sent back Kagiso Rabada with a diving catch from his own bowling to bring an end to the innings and give Australia a first innings lead of 220.
After that breakthrough, Cummins and Hazlewood kept pounding in, but spinners Lyon and Ashton Agar at the other end had little to work with from a pitch that had not had enough traffic to deteriorate as much as they would have liked. Lyon thought he had dismissed Heinrich Klaasen, caught by Steve Smith in the slips for 28, but for the third time in the match the third umpire ruled the ball had grazed the grass between the fielder’s fingers.
Hazlewood clean-bowled Klaasen for 35 a couple of overs later with a peach of a delivery, but opener Erwee, who scored 42 not out, and Bavuma, unbeaten on 17, successfully fought the rearguard action until Cummins conceded the draw.A massive thank you to all of the fans who attended the games or tuned in. 💛💚
The rain was actually their best player in this test.
They were saved by the rain. Stop being sensationalist.