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Live Cricket Scores: Australia hunting early wickets as rain stays away on day three against South Africa

Headshot of Aaron Kirby
Aaron KirbyThe West Australian
Marco Jansen is attacking.
Camera IconMarco Jansen is attacking. Credit: Gallo Images/Getty Images

Australia are poised to take complete control of the Test after a strong session of play on a rain-affected day two.

However, Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma is digging deep and is his side’s best chance of halting the tourists’ charge.

Can Australia grab five wickets in the morning session and get batting in the best conditions?

Stay up to date with all the action with our live blog.

Reporting LIVE

Magnificent ton

Bavuma survived a scare after chopping the ball at his feet on 99 and then missing on a hook that the Aussies appealed for a caught behind on.

But he didn’t change his approach.

He stayed alert and Cummins dropped short first ball and gets clattered to the mid-wicket rope to bring up the magic milestone.

The hundred comes from 224 balls and is every bit as good as Renshaw’s in the first Test.

It’s the definition of a captain’s knock as he rescues his team.

SA 7-276

Long wait

Simon Harmer has soaked up a lot of balls with Bavuma trying to get to the ton.

He’s on 99 as Cummins comes on.

SA 7-271

One shot away

Bavuma guides one down to the third-man boundary and he is now on 96.

He deserve triple figures.

SA 7-261

Nothing special

The new ball is not doing a lot.

There’s a bit of zip and Starc is getting some swing but Simon Harmer is doing it with ease despite not yet being off the mark.

SA 7-250

A shame, almost

Jansen throws his wicket away 15 sort of a maiden Test century.

He clipped Boland straight to mid-wicket and Travis Head takes a sharp catch.

It’s a five-fer for Boland but the blow to the box really shook the Proteas all-rounder and he misses out on a big one.

The new ball is doing a bit.

SA 7-242

Oh no!

Boland takes the new ball and it seams straight into Jansen’s box and he is down.

He went down almost straight away and is in some pain as medical staff come to his aid.

Simon Katich says “I’m not sure there will be much the physio will be able to do here”.

SA 6-242

Race on

Jansen joins Bavuma in the 80s and the race for tons is on with the new ball due in one over.

Jansen got lucky again against Maddinson, losing his shape as he tried to hit the cover off the ball.

SA 6-241

Nearly

Maddinson is back on for some quick overs before the new ball and one skids onto the pad of Jansen.

It wasn’t close to lbw but the ball didn’t miss the bat my much and it squirted to first slip.

SA 6-230

The Hoff

Josh Hazlewood is back on in a very welcome sight for the Australians.

He was ill yesterday but looks like he is feeling well today.

SA 6-219

Cummins restarts

The Aussie skipper gets play back underway and he is clearly going to be bouncing Jansen.

Hazlewood should also be available to bowl in this session.

SA 6-216

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