Sports

South Africa draw third test despite follow on

Australia needed 14 wickets to clean sweep the three-Test series against South Africa but the hosts managed only six wickets on the final day here on Sunday to draw the third and final Test. A sunny day shone on the final day of the weather-affected match but despite forcing South Africa to follow on in their first innings for 255, Australia were content with a draw and took the series 2–0. South Africa were 106 for two in the second innings, losing the wickets of captain Dean Elgar (10) and Heinrich Klaasen (35), when both the teams agreed to draw the match.

At this time opener Serel Irvy was playing on 42 while Temba Bavuma was playing on 17 runs. Australia declared the first innings by scoring 475 runs for four wickets. Australia wrapped up South Africa’s first innings after lunch and gave the follow-on to the opposition team. In the second innings, captain Pat Cummins (one wicket for 16 runs) sent Elgar to the pavilion. Elgar scored just 56 runs in six innings of the current series. He played innings of 3, 2, 26, 0, 15 and 10 runs. Josh Hailwood (1/9) ended Klaasen’s innings but Irvie and Bavuma drew the match. This is South Africa’s first draw in 47 matches.

Earlier, Hazlewood took four for 48 as Australia eventually bundled out South Africa’s lower order to bowl them out for 255, 20 runs short of defending the follow-on. In the lower order, Marco Jansen scored 11 runs in 78 balls. Keshav Maharaj hit an 81-ball 53 while Simon Harmer struck a career-best 47 off 165 balls to give South Africa hope of avoiding the follow-on. Harmer and Maharaj played a key role in denying Australia another victory, adding 85 runs in 27 overs. Hazlewood dismissed both of them.

Nathan Lyon (2/88) then ended South Africa’s first innings by having Kagiso Rabada caught on his own ball. Australia had 47 overs to bowl out South Africa in the second innings but the hosts could not get through. With the draw, Australia missed out on a clean sweep and a place in the final of the World Test Championship to be held at Lord’s in England in June. Australia will get another chance to make it to the finals during the four-Test series against India in February. The effect of rain and bad weather was visible in this match. The start of the match was delayed due to a wet ground at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the first two days while not a single ball could be bowled on the third day. On the fourth day also the game could be played only after lunch.

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