Alex Carey's maiden Test ton pushes South Africa on verge of defeat
Carey scored his maiden Test ton [Source: Associated Press]
Alex Carey scored his maiden Test century as Australia piled on 575 in their first innings, before skipper Pat Cummins dismissed his counterpart, Dean Elgar for a naught to push South Africa on the verge of a series defeat.
Rain brought an early end to Day 3 and perhaps South Africa won't be too disappointed with it. A wounded Australian side took the field knowing that they are in a strong position to seal the series.
However, South Africa started the day on a positive note with Anrich Nortje breathing fire. Travis Head, who notched up yet another fifty, misjudged the good length ball and Nortje took out his off stump. His dismissal brought in David Warner, who was retired hurt on Day 2 after suffering from cramps.
Warner couldn't last long and was knocked over by none other than Nortje. The visitors saw a glimmer of hope but that was dashed away by the duo of Alex Carey and a wounded Cameron Green.
Green, who defied a fracture finger added 117 runs for the eight wicket alongside Carey and pushed South Africa on the back-foot.
The Proteas bowled more than 145 overs and were on the field for five sessions but were unable to dismiss the home side who took advantage of the surface.
While Carey was the aggressor in the partnership and took on the bowling attack, Green bid his time and clearly looked uncomfortable due to his injury.
Carey had a lot of potential when he joined the Australian side and that potential was finally fulfilled when he slammed his maiden Test century and became the first Aussie keeper to score a Test century in nine years, since Brad Haddin in 2013.
Carey was eventually dismissed for a well crafted 111, before Lyon rubbed salt on the wounds and scored a quick-fire 25 off 17 as Cummins declared the innings, with a lead of 386.
Australia started out the second innings with a four-man attack, with Green unable to bowl. But that didn't stop the Aussies from getting the early inroad of skipper Dean Elgar, who went back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Eventually rain played the spoilsport and the day was called off early.
At stumps, South Africa are 15 for 1, and still trail by a mammoth 371.
Brief Score
Australia 1st innings: 575-8 (145.0)
David Warner 200 (255), Alex Carey 111 (149);
Anrich Nortje 3-92 (25), Kagiso Rabada 2-144 (28)
South Africa 2nd innings: 15-1 (7)
Sarel Erwee 7* (21), Theunis de Bruyn 6* (18)
Pat Cummins 1-0 (3)
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
