South Africa ended day three on 192 for four with a huge lead of 369 in the second Test match against Australia at Port Elizabeth, on Saturday.
At the close of play, Hashim Amla, was on 93 not out and Quinton de Kock on nine not out.
After lunch, South Africa began their innings with a solid lead of 177, but lost Graeme Smith very early in the piece to Mitchell Johnson in the fifth over of the innings. South Africa, at that stage, were 1/20.
Smith was bowled of an inside edge as Mitchell Johnson dismissed him for the third time in this series.
Dean Elgar, who scored a very good 83 in the first innings, made just 16 before he edged it to Brad Haddin off Peter Siddle’s bowling, as South Africa were reduced to 2/42.
Earlier in the day, South Africa cleaned up Australia for just 246 thus gained a massive lead of 177-runs.
For the Proteas, Philander and Morne Morkel picked up three wickets each.
Steve Smith (49), who was the only batsman to sow some fight for Australia on dy 3, was dismissed caught behind by Morne Morkel. AB de Villiers completed an easy catch. The on field umpire, though, gave it not out, but the hosts went for the review and the decision was duly overturned.
However, it was not all hunky dory for South Africa, as both Hashim Amla and Wayne Parnell pulled out of the field due injuries during the morning session.
Beginning day 3, South Africa struck the first blow when David Warner (70), who just added five to his overnight score was out slashing Philander, was caught by Smith at first slip off Philander’s bowling, as Australia lost their fifth with the scorecard reading just 120 runs on board.
Next to follow Warner was nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (15) when he dragged Morkel’s delivery onto his stumps.
South Africa dropped their third catch of the match when substitute fielder Robin Peterson, who came on for Amla, who dislocated his left ring finger earlier in the day, dropped a half-chance at square-leg of Aussie batsman Steve Smith who was on just 24 at the time.
Things went from bad to worse for the Proteas in the 40th over as Parnell left the field in the middle of his ninth over due to a groin strain. Parnell had bowled just three balls today when he felt pain in his left groin ans was forced off the field with an injury. The injury is so bad that he will not bowl further in this Test.
Dale Steyn, who went wicket-less on Friday, picked up his first wicket of the innings when be bowled Brad Haddin for nine. Steyn manage to seam the ball back and hit the top of middle stump to reduce Australia on 7/168.
JP Duminy struck the final nail in the coffin when he bowled Mitchell Johnson at the stroke of lunch, as South Africa enjoyed the productive morning session by picking up four wickets.
