Proteas ‘happy’ with position despite Aussie antics

It was a good day for South Africa, however badly Australia decided to self-implode through their on-field attempts to cheat, at Newlands on Saturday as the Proteas finshed the third day of the third Test with a lead of 294 runs and five wickets still in hand.

Opening batsman Aiden Markram was at the forefront of their efforts, stroking a fine 84, which made sure the home side capitalised on a first-innings lead that was kept to 56 by Australia but could have been a lot more.

“We’re very happy with the position we’re in, and we’ve taken some of the sting out of their attack, which is very good. There’s still lots of time left in the game, and thing worked out well today. But it’s going to be an important first session tomorrow [Sunday] and it’s very important as a team that we keep fighting. In this series, whenever you feel Australia are out of it, they fight their way back in,” Markram said after South Africa had closed on 238 for five.

While the elegant batsman said the proteas did not yet have a target in mind which they would be comfortable defending, Markram did say the excellent Newlands pitch still had plenty in it for the bowlers.

“For both sides, reverse-swing has been the key and then batting becomes really difficult. But the pitch is generally playing quite well, even if the bowlers are in it the whole time, especially if they hit the right areas. But if a batsman gets in then he can get some momentum and it becomes a really good wicket to bat on as well,” Markram said.

“Occasionally the ball has held up a bit when it’s softer and it’s reversing, but it’s still mostly good to bat on. Australia obviously have a top-class attack that keeps coming at you, but our plan is to keep them on their feet for as long as possible,” Markram said after another impressive innings for his country.