Perth: Dean Elgar (127, 316b, 17×4, 1×6) and JP Duminy (141, 225b, 20×4, 1×6) guided South Africa to a commanding position on the third day of the opening Test against Australia here, Saturday. The visitors were 390 for six at stumps.
Quinton de Kock (16 batting) and Vernon Philander (23 batting) were at the crease at the end of play on day-3. The Proteas have an overall lead of 388 with four wickets in hand although the injured Dale Steyn is not expected to bat.
The day belonged to Duminy and Elgar, who came together when the Proteas lost two early second innings wickets late on the second day. The pair put on 250 for the third wicket as they repelled the Australian attack for most of the day.
Both batsmen made their Test debuts at the WACA Ground and the pair each notched their fifth Test centuries between lunch and tea.
Duminy eventually fell to end the partnership before Elgar’s knock buried the memories of his horror Test debut in Perth, when he faced just 22 balls and was dismissed for a pair on debut in 2012.
The South Africans will be one bowler down in the Australian second innings, with champion quick Steyn expected to be out for at least six months due to a shoulder problem which is likely to require surgery.
Australia will have to produce its greatest ever fourth innings run chase at the ground to win the match, but the home team will take heart from the 2008 Test between the two sides, when South Africa chased down 414 on the final day.
Brief scores: South Africa 242 and 390 for 6 (JP Duminy 141, Dean Elgar 127); Australia 244. Match to continue.
Agence France-Presse
