Inglis and Carey put Australia ahead in decisive Test against South Africa

Australia move ahead on day two

Josh Inglis and Alex Carey added an unbroken 145 runs for the fifth wicket to put Australia ahead after the first innings on day two of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, AFP reports. At the close of play Australia stood at 330 for four — one run more than South Africa's 329 in the first innings — with six wickets still in hand. The series is level at 1-1, so this match decides its outcome.

How the day unfolded

The match was played on a batsman-friendly pitch under warm, cloudless skies, and the South African bowlers took only two wickets, suffering double blows. Matt Renshaw and Travis Head gave Australia the best opening stand of the series — 58 runs — after which Head cut the first ball of the match from off-spinner Simon Harmer onto his own stumps. Five balls later Harmer had Marnus Labuschagne caught at slip for a duck. Renshaw (74) and Cameron Green (65) were dismissed by left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen three deliveries apart shortly before tea. Renshaw's innings of 139 balls ended when he got on top of a rising delivery and was caught behind — South Africa successfully reviewed after the original 'not out' decision. Green, who had hit two consecutive sixes off Kagiso Rabada and eight fours off 110 balls, sliced a ball to second slip.

Inglis's return

Inglis, who missed the first two Tests with a broken finger, played an attacking innings — 85 not out off 111 balls. Together with wicketkeeper Carey (51 not out) he carried the day to the close, leaving South Africa in a difficult position after the side had collapsed on day one from 203/1. The tafs.uz editorial team notes: a one-run lead with six wickets in hand gives Australia a genuine chance of a substantial first innings, but the outcome of the series is still not decided.