Australia in South Africa in 2018.

[meninblue]

Matt Renshaw is good. He can waste enough new balls and make it old. Therefore, the batsman batting after him have to face a tired pace attack and do not have to play the new ball often. Matt does this job well. Once he settles as opener, he will then also have to do the second role of opener more frequently that is converting the start into a big ton. At least one player like this is required with this skill-set. Haseeb Hameed for England is in similar mould. Azhar Ali too but Azhar has gone ahead in that he converts the boring start to a significant score. So is Kraig Brathwaite. The openers should make the no 3 etc to play the old ball even if there are not of runs on board. That is a decent job done.

[from_the_stands]

In other news, Queensland have won the Sheffield Shield.

[Durhamfootman]

In other news, Queensland have won the Sheffield Shield.

crikey... with all the hoohah, I'd forgotten. I'd better get on the case

[mikesiva]

My interest in the series has been overtaken by controversy.

For that reason, and with the final Test starting tomorrow, I thought it would be a good idea to split the thread....

The thread on the ball-tampering incident and its ramifications is here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21605

In other news, South Africa field an unchanged eleven. That means Morkel gets a chance to say his final goodbye at the Wanderers. This great servant of Saffer cricket deserves recognition for getting to the landmark of 300 wickets in a very good career.

[mikesiva]

Starc injured, so Sayers comes in. The Bad Three are out, so in come Joe Burns, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb.

[meninblue]

Good start by SA openers. 51/0 in 17 overs. No early wickets, good number of overs have been seen off for the one down to come in. That should help Amla, ABD etc when they come out to bat.

[meninblue]

Good start by SA openers. 51/0 in 17 overs. No early wickets, good number of overs have been seen off for the one down to come in. That should help Amla, ABD etc when they come out to bat.

[mikesiva]

Lyon gets rid of Elgar for 19. South Africa 88-1 at lunch.

Markham 53 not out.

Amla 13 not out.

[mikesiva]

Amla out to Cummins for 27.

Markham gets his century!

South Africa 177-2 at tea.

Markham 111 not out.

AB de Villiers eight not out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Slow going for ABDV.

[andy]

Sayers looks toothless and in-effective, bowling at 120kph, keeper up to stumps, Marsh could have done that job...could have gone with Richardson? More attacking move maybe, given they have to win the game..

[mikesiva]

Markham out to Cummins for 152.

Cummins again and du Plessis out for a duck!

Now de Villiers gets his half century!

[andy]

280-4, Cummins with a couple of quick wickets, including Faf first ball

[mikesiva]

Sayers gets de Villiers for 69. That's his first test wicket.

Rabada out for a duck! His second wicket!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good end to the day for the Aussies. But their batting is so weakened, probably not good enough.