Careless dismissals give Australia route to series win in South Africa

Australia take a step towards victory over South Africa in Cape Town, with the help of careless batting from Proteas' top order. The winner of the third Test will finish the series top of the International Cricket Council's Test rankings Batters carelessly gifting wickets to Australia… we have been here before. This time it was not England helping their opponents, although they will have taken note with a tour of South Africa to come this winter. South Africa's attempt to fight back in the decisive third Test against Australia was hurt by two poor strokes on day three. Having taken the last six Australian wickets for 99 runs in the morning despite Josh Inglis' second Test century, the Proteas began their second innings facing a deficit of exactly 100.

They needed runs from their experienced opener and number three. Neither Aiden Markram nor David Bedingham could deliver. By the end, even captain Temba Bavuma had been tempted into a wild swipe to fall for 35. South Africa were 140-4, just 40 runs ahead, at the close. In isolation, Markram's drive off Mitchell Starc straight into the hands of mid-off for one appeared the most egregious. The ball was the fullest of the six balls Markram faced but not there for him to play his trademark shot. Fielder Travis Head did