South Africa marching towards victory – 2nd Test vs. Australia

South Africa 423 and 4-192 (Hashim Amla 93*, AB de Villiers 29, Mitchell Johnson 2-48) leads Australia 246 (David Warner 70, Steven Smith 49, Morne Morkel 3-63, Vernon Philander 3-68) by 369 runs with six wickets in hand.

Hashim Amla got back to his form with a commendable innings whereas Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel penetrated through the Australian batting line up.

The hosts powered 423 runs in their first innings followed by 192 for the loss of four wickets after 47 overs in the second whereas the Kangaroos were bowled out for 246 in their first one.

The third day of the second Test finished on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth.

Earlier, the visitors started the day at 4-112 in 25 overs whereas David Warner and Nathan Lyon were batting at 65 and 12. The first departed at 120 for 70 and the latter followed him eight runs later for 15. Steven Smith shared a couple of reasonable partnership and became the ninth victim for 49. The entire innings of the tourists was folded back for 246 in 57 overs.

Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander - Destroyed the Australian batting
Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander – Destroyed the Australian batting

Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel were the supreme bowlers with three wickets each, Wayne Parnell held two whereas Dale Steyn and Jean-Paul Duminy shared one wicket each.

South Africa gained a valuable lead of 177 runs in the first innings but lost their openers cheaply at 42. Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis took the responsibility of scoring runs under tremendous pressure. The innings was geared up by the duo with the assistance of continuous boundaries and they went past the hundred runs mark in the 23rd over. Amla dispatched his 28th Test fifty by sending the ball out of the fence and the partnership was dislodged at 112 when du Plessis was gone for 24.

AB de Villiers walked in next and preferred to attack while Amla kept on consolidating at the other side. They took the score to 167 when de Villiers was caught behind by Brad Haddin off Mitchell Johnson for 29. Quinton de Cock joined in next with Hashim Amla who reached 93 at the close of the day’s play. The first secured his end for 9 as the home side managed 192 after availing 47 overs.

Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle were the only successful bowlers with two wickets each.

South Africa has taken an overall lead of 369 runs with six wickets remaining and they are in good position to win the game.


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