Humiliated Australia suffers 322-run defeat in 3rd Test against South Africa

Cape Town: It seriously was a nightmare Test for Australia. Nothing went right for them. After being found guilty of ball tampering and getting the skipper and vice-captain removed, they suffered a massive 322-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in the Newlands Test here on Sunday.

South Africa, which posted 311 runs in the first inning and bundled up Australia for 255 runs, gave a humongous 430-run target to the visitors. In reply, Australia could only manage 107 runs despite getting off to a fine start, suffering a big defeat.

Morne Morkel was awarded man of the match award for picking up 9 wickets (4/87 and 5/23) in the match.

Earlier, Steven Smith was also banned for one Test match for inspiring Cameron Bancroft to tamper the condition of the ball. David Warner also stepped down from the vice-captainship in solidarity with the skipper.

Morne Morkel did the biggest damage to Australia in the final inning picking up five wickets for just 23 runs in 9.4 overs. Keshav Maharaj got two scalps while Kagiso Rabada managed to bag 1. Vernon Philander could not get any success in the last inning of the match.

Also Read: Cape Town Test: Aussie skipper Steven Smith banned for one Test

Earlier, Cameron Bancroft (26 off 64) and David Warner (32 off 67) gave a reasonable start but it was not enough to bring the visitors anywhere near the target.

Steven Smith failed once again in the series scoring just 7 runs off 21 balls, while Mitchell Marsh was the only other Aussie batsman to get into double figures with a 16-run inning which came off 28 balsl and was laced with 3 fours.

Earlier in the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. Opener Dean Elgar played a memorable inning of 141 not out off 284 balls with 20 fours and a six to bring the hosts to a dominating position. AB de Villiers, who has been in great form this series, also added crucial 64 runs off 95 balls with help of 10 boundaries.

South Africa posted 311 runs in first inning. In reply, Australia could only manage 255 runs owing to the down-order exploits of Nathan Lyon (47 off 38, 8 fours) and Tim Paine (34 off 84). Earlier, Bancroft played a fine inning off 77 runs off 103 balls with 14 fours but could not convert it into a century.

Also Read: Ball-tampering row: RR likely to drop Steve Smith as skipper

After getting a crucial 56-run first inning lead, South Africa went on to add 373 more runs to set an impossible looking 430-run target. Aiden Markram (84 off 145, 10 fours, 2 sixes) AB de Villiers (63 off 136, 7 fours, 1 six), Quinton de Kock (65 off 97, 8 fours, 1 six) and Vernon Philander (52 off 79) played amazing innings to bring South Africa on top.

With this memorable victory, South Africa now lead the four Test series 2-1, with one match to be played at Johannesburg.