Philander rips through Australia

JOHANNESBURG, March 31 

South Africa’s Temba Bavuma was left stranded on 95 not out as they tightened their grip over scandal-hit Australia after reducing the hapless visitors to 110/6 at the close on the second day of the fourth and final Test on Saturday. Aided by Bavuma’s brilliance, South Africa posted 488 in their first innings and lead by a massive 378 runs at the Wanderers as they seek a first home series win over the Australians in almost 50 years.

The controversial tour looks to be coming to a meek end for the visitors in a game they need to win to share the series and their new captain Tim Paine and Pat Cummins will resume on the third day facing a daunting task.

The squad was bolstered by openers Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, who arrived in the country 48 hours before the start of the fourth Test along with all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, after desposed captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were sent home for their part in the ball-tampering scandal.

However, if the tourists had hoped that fresh blood at the top of the order might spark a change of batting fortunes, it proved false optimism as they were blasted out.

Burns’ tame prod saw him edge Kagiso Rabada to a diving Faf du Plessis at second slip, while Queensland opening partner Renshaw provided a simple catch to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock off Vernon Philander (3-17).

Peter Handscomb has been on tour since the start, but his long wait for a chance to bat lasted one ball when he played onto his stumps. — Reuters

Scoreboard

South Africa 1st innings (Overnight 313/6)

T Bavuma not out 95

K Rabada c Renshaw b Sayers 0

Q de Kock c Marsh b Lyon 39

V Philander c Khawaja b Lyon 12

K Maharaj c Paine b Cummins 45

M Morkel c Handscomb b Cummins 0

Extras: (B 13, LB 12, W 5) 30

Total: (all out, 136.5 overs) 488

FOW: 1-53, 2-142, 3-247, 4-247, 5-299, 6-299, 7-384, 8-412, 9-488

Bowling

Josh Hazlewood 26-3-86-0

Chadd Sayers 35-9-78-2

Pat Cummins 28.5-5-83-5

Nathan Lyon 40-3-182-3

Mitchell Marsh 6-1-30-0

Matt Renshaw 1-0-4-0

Australia 1st innings

M Renshaw c de Kock b Philander 8

J Burns c du Plessis b Rabada 4

U Khawaja c de Kock b Philander 53

P Handscomb b Philander 0

S Marsh c de Villiers b Maharaj 16

M Marsh b Morkel 4

T  Paine not out 5

P Cummins not out 7

Extras: (B 3, LBb 8, NB 2) 13

Total: (6 wkts, 38 Overs) 110 

FOW: 1-10, 2-34, 3-38, 4-90, 5-96, 6-96

Bowling

Vernon Philander 12-7-17-3

Kagiso Rabada 9-3-24-1

Morne Morkel 9-2-23-1

Keshav Maharaj 8-2-35-1