Dean Elgar scored an unbeaten 39 as South Africa built a mammoth lead
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
South Africa continued to dominate on the third day in Johannesburg as they pushed their lead to 401 after bowling Australia out for 221.
Starting off the day on 110/6, Australia captain Tim Paine and pace bowler Pat Cummins converted their 14-run partnership into a 99-run stand, during which Cummins brought up his half-century.
Pat Cummins scored his maiden Test fifty
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However, shortly after doing so, he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Keshav Maharaj for a career-best 50, which came off 92 balls and included six boundaries and a six.
Cummins was not given out initially, but South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis reviewed the decision. His gamble paid off as replays showed that the ball was pitching and line and going on to hit the stumps.
Nathan Lyon and debutant Chadd Sayers fell shortly after as they were removed by Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj for eight and a duck respectively.
Australia ended up being bowled out for 221, which gave South Africa a 267-run lead, when Paine was sent packing by Rabada for 62, which came off 96 balls and included seven boundaries and two sixes.
Tim Paine struck his fourth half-century in Test cricket
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Maharaj, Rabada and Vernon Philander picked up three wickets apiece, while Morne Morkel chipped in with one.
With a 267-run lead in hand, South Africa made a solid start to their second innings as Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram put together a 54-run partnership before Markram was removed by Cummins for 37.
Even though Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers were dismissed for 16 and six runs respectively, Elgar and captain Faf du Plessis ensured South Africa didn’t lose another wicket as they forged an unbeaten 40-run partnership before stumps was called.
Elgar finished on 39 off 158 balls, which included six boundaries, while Du Plessis also struck six boundaries during his 69-ball 34.
Cummins was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Lyon claimed one.
South Africa ended day three on 134/3 and will continue batting on Monday at 10:00 local time or 08:00 GMT.