Duminy and Elgar set up dominant position for Proteas

JP DUMINY and Dean Elgar both scored the fifth centuries of their respective Test careers as they left Australia with the prospect of having to make a record runs chase for victory at the end of the third day of the first Test at the WACA. The Standard Bank Proteas closed the day on 390/6 for an overall lead of 388 runs and, with Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander having already shared an unbroken stand of 38 for the seventh wicket, there is every prospect of Australia’s target going beyond the 414 that the Proteas themselves scored on this ground in 2008 and the world record chase of 418 achieved by the West Indies, also against Australia. Duminy (141 off 225 balls, 20 fours and a six) and Elgar (a career best 127, 316 balls, 17 fours and a six) shared a third wicket stand of 250 in 74.2 overs which has only been surpassed for South Africa in Australia for the third wicket by the legendary 341 by Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock at the Adelaide Oval in 1964. The important point about the stand was that it set the stage for the Proteas to win at least five sessions in a row and to drain most of the energy from the Australian attack. The put on 79 in the first session, and a further 112 in the second before Duminy was dismissed in the tea over, and made possible the 96/3 in the final session of the day. This was as fine an innings as Duminy has played for South Africa. His timing and placement were sublime with his driving through the covers and straight down the ground being outstanding. He also showed much improved technique in dealing with short-pitched deliveries aimed at the body and all South Africans will be hoping that he will take this form forward on a consistent basis. The move to No. 4 has undoubtedly played a part in defining his role in the team. Elgar’s innings was a tremendous testimony to his tenacity, mental strength and character. Having been dismissed for a pair on his debut at this same ground four years ago, he put past history behind him and dove-tailed perfectly with Duminy. As always he had the bulldog approach rather than the craftsmanship of Duminy and he made a significant contribution when he thumped Australian spinner Nathan Lyon for a succession of boundaries on Friday. This seemed to contribute to Steve Smith’s reluctance to bowl Lyon at all during the morning session and sparingly thereafter. Australia put up a gallant bowling performance throughout the day in extremely trying circumstances and probably produced their best bowling in the final session when they took three wickets. Significantly the right-handed batsmen appeared to have a harder struggle than the left-handers as the seamers were able to hit the widening crack running down the pitch outside the off-stump, causing excessive deviation and lift.
It is something that will not be lost on Philander and Kagiso Rabada when it comes to their turn to bowl to Australia who have four right-handers in their top seven. One way and another it was a great day for South African cricket, not least being the fact that they have underlined their ability to fight their way out of any adverse circumstance they encounter going forward.