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Innings South Africa 225 (Du Plessis 78*, Lyon 3-41) v Australia
Faf du Plessis was again Australia's only major stumbling block as South Africa cobbled 225 on day one of the third Test in Perth. In a valuable encore to his match-saving century in Adelaide, du Plessis stroked an unbeaten 78 after coming to the wicket in the middle of a rush of 5 for 14 either side of lunch.
Aside from that frenzied period, Australia found breakthroughs difficult to extract on a bouncy but true WACA ground pitch, suggesting that a large first innings is within their reach if better top-order partnerships can be established. The Australia bowlers shared the spoils, Mitchell Starc perhaps the pick with a pair of late inswingers to bowl Alviro Petersen and Jacques Kallis in the closing minutes of the morning session.
Nathan Lyon vindicated his inclusion with 3 for 41, the debutant John Hastings and vice-captain Shane Watson contributed important wickets, while Mitchell Johnson claimed two of his own and intimidated at times with well-directed short balls.
Faf du Plessis was again Australia's only major stumbling block as South Africa cobbled 225 on day one of the third Test in Perth. In a valuable encore to his match-saving century in Adelaide, du Plessis stroked an unbeaten 78 after coming to the wicket in the middle of a rush of 5 for 14 either side of lunch.
Aside from that frenzied period, Australia found breakthroughs difficult to extract on a bouncy but true WACA ground pitch, suggesting that a large first innings is within their reach if better top-order partnerships can be established. The Australia bowlers shared the spoils, Mitchell Starc perhaps the pick with a pair of late inswingers to bowl Alviro Petersen and Jacques Kallis in the closing minutes of the morning session.
Nathan Lyon vindicated his inclusion with 3 for 41, the debutant John Hastings and vice-captain Shane Watson contributed important wickets, while Mitchell Johnson claimed two of his own and intimidated at times with well-directed short balls.