South Africa Resumes Chase of 390 Against Australia on Day Three in Durban

The first hour has shown Australia that it will be tough work to get through the Proteas on day three, but they’re not without some evidence of chances to come.

Cummins and Starc both bowled quick and it was vital for Starc to find a way past Aiden Markram, the World Test Championship centurion at Lord’s.

Lyon has also found some purchase, and provided he drops onto the right length, there is the prospect of wickets.

Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma has had a rough start since coming to the wicket, but he is a fighter and won’t give up his wicket easily, especially to Australia.

Nathan Lyon gave him some trouble in his previous over, especially one ball that hit a footmark or crack and shot across Bavuma’s pads.

Luckily, he didn’t get any glove or bat on it as it was caught by a close fielder.

Lyon will be keen to fire away again after the drinks break.

South Africa are 2-86 with Bavuma on 0* and Bedingham on 48*

Starc took some stick in the last over but he has bounced back so well forcing Markram to swing at a high ball and he edged it to slip.

Renshaw was excellent in the slips taking a strong catch.

Starc has struck.

SA 2-84 from 20.4 overs.

Bedingham took the bat to Starc in the last over hitting him for three boundaries in a row.

The No.3 batter has raced to 44 due to his shot-playing today.

But Starc made the fourth ball fizz up and hit him in the hand, he was clearly in some discomfort but is batting on.

It’s drinks and the Aussies need a reset as they are going at five runs an over so far.

The Aussies need to find something here, especially around stopping the boundaries.

SA 1-79 from 19 overs.

This pitch appears to be playing very truly this morning and both Proteas batters are taking full advantage by playing their shots and finding the boundary.

Nathan Lyon appears to be stretching up and Mitch Starc is already into the attack - the veteran spinner has come into the attack.

Meanwhile, Australian great David Boon has copped some cheek from the SuperSport commentators - a fan was spotted wearing an Australian one-day throwback top from 1980s.

“He’s got more buttons done up than David Boon did,” quipped one of the commentators drawing several laughs.

SA 1-59 from 17 overs with Markram on 28 and Bedingham on 30.

Proteas batters Markram and Bedingham have both found the boundary already this morning, especially Markram who is playing his drives despite the possibility of nicking the ball.

Hazlewood and the Aussies are daring him to drive and he is taking their offer so far.

Bedingham has looked less assured, especially when Cummins can make the ball climb steeply.

But one does wonder how long the quicks will be at both ends and when Nathan Lyon will get his chance.

SA 1-49 with Markram on 28 from 48 and Bedingham on 21 from 33 chasing 390.

Cummins finished his over from last night and Hazlewood earned an early nick although it bounced before the slips could catch it.

South Africa have moved to 1-32 and the pitch seems to be playing pretty well although Cummins and Hazlewood have found the odd promising delivery.

Cummins had an lbw shout turned down, he’s asking some tough questions of Markram and Bedingham.

That shout wasn’t reviewed and it proved correct as the DRS showed it was bouncing over the stumps.

There are very few fans in the ground so far but more could well come in as the morning rolls on, that seemed to be the way the locals arrived yesterday.

South Africa are 1-33 from 11 overs chasing 390

The sun is out early in Durban today and Australia will be hoping for new ball success in the first session.

It will also be a big day for Nathan Lyon after his batting heroics yesterday on a pitch taking turn.

Matt Renshaw was the toast of the touring side overnight after his epic 190.

Doubtless he will be particularly chuffed to be publicly complimented (on Instagram) by Steve Smith, who called it “some knock” and doubtless would have loved to play a similar hand himself. Later in the series, perhaps.

Former Australian batter Simon Katich called the innings one of the top three Test hundreds in the last decade while Renshaw admits he doubted he would ever play Test cricket again, let alone add to his 184 scored in 2017.

Katich told SEN today that he rated Renshaw’s 100 among the top three Test centuries of the last decade while Renshaw reflected on a hundred that came nine years and 280 days after his last century.

“It’s been a long time coming and I probably didn’t think I’d be in this situation after [missing] a couple of opportunities after that,” Renshaw told Kayo Sports.

“It’s special to help the team out in a pretty important Test match.

Matt Renshaw’s superb century in the middle order against South Africa has left Australia with another selection headache.

Does the Queenslander’s 190 in Durban suggest he is best placed at No.5, and if so, who is best to open alongside Travis Head?

Australia’s selectors were heavily criticised for the decision to bring Nic Maddinson back into the side after almost 10 years on Friday, and have him open the batting.

Maddinson’s 33-ball duck left several questions over the left-hander’s position, but what it did do is allow Renshaw to bat No.5 after he impressed there in the ODIs.