South Africa v Australia – 2nd Test – 3rd Day’s Summary

<p><strong>South Africa v Australia – 2^nd Test – 3^rd Day’s Summary</strong></p> <p><strong><em>South Africa</em></strong><strong><em> 266 &amp; 229/3 v </em></strong><strong><em>Australia</em></strong><strong><em> 296 - </em></strong><strong><em>South Africa</em></strong><strong><em> lead by 199 runs with 7 wickets remaining</em></strong></p> <p>South Africa lead by 199 runs with seven wickets in hand in the second Test against rivals Australia on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.</p> <p>After ending the second day by restricting Australia on 296 runs, the Proteas began the proceedings of play on the third day in a bid to post a staggering total on the board, which would consequently lead them to victory against a team they have not beaten in a Test series at home since their readmission in the world of cricket in 1992.</p> <p>South Africa with a 1-0 lead in the two-match series are citing a victory for which they look well determined to hold their own and prevent this opportunity from slipping away.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Australia who are undergoing a reconstruction phase desperately need a win to redeem themselves in Test cricket.</p> <p>South African openers skipper Graeme Smith and Jacobus Rudolph started the day’s proceedings and gave their side a steady start by posting 40 runs in the opening partnership.</p> <p>This opening stand was vital as it prevented the Australian bowlers from establishing a dominant role in the match.</p> <p>Smith, who has been lacking in runs showed signs of resurgence as he played commendable strokes all around the park, while his batting partner also took the Aussie bowlers to task by backing his skipper.</p> <p>The Australians grabbed their first victim of the day in the 8^th over when Rudolph lost his wicket after scoring a knock of 24 runs.</p> <p>Hashim Amla was the next man in and the presence of pros like Smith and Amla on the crease was intimidating for the Australians as they knew that these two had the talents to change the face of the game.</p> <p>However, before the two batsmen could cause serious damage to the Australians they managed to see the back of Smith who departed after playing a well tamed knock of 36 runs off 55 deliveries. At the time of this wicket, South Africa had made 75 runs with a long way to go before humbling their opponent.</p> <p>Disaster struck when after just posting 90 runs, South Africa lost the most prised wicket of ace all-rounder Jacques Kallis who was picked up by the Aussies after scoring just two runs.</p> <p>The wicket of Kallis was a blow to the South Africans as they heavily rely on the all-rounder to come through for the team with his astounding batting abilities.</p> <p>While the Australians were jubilant at the demise of Kallis, they had no idea what was about to come next as AB de Villiers after going through a lean patch made a remarkable comeback as he incinerated the Australian bowling arsenal alongside Amla.</p> <p>The duo of Amla and de Villiers wrecked havoc on the Australians who were taken aback by the sudden onslaught from South African batsmen.</p> <p>The two batsmen posted 139 runs together at stumps and put South Africa in a strong position.</p> <p>Amla is now batting on 89 runs while de Villiers is unbeaten on 70 runs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>