Cameron Bancroft led the way as Australia slowly but surely enhanced their advantage on day three of the first Test against South Africa, with the hosts facing a target of at least 403 in Durban.
Steve Smith’s side scratched their way to 9-213 when bad light ended play on Saturday, building an imposing buffer thanks to a first-innings lead of 189 runs and Bancroft’s half-century.
The highest successful Test run-chase at Kingsmead is the 340 that South Africa reeled in against Australia in 2002, while the all-time record is West Indies’ 418 against Australia back in 2003.
It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for the tourists on Saturday, especially Usman Khawaja, but their refusal to collapse ensures South Africa’s bowlers will sweat in the field for four consecutive days unless Smith declares overnight.
Khawaja’s spin struggles continued when he was out for six, attempting to reverse-sweep Keshav Maharaj.
Bancroft’s knock of 53 was also ended by left-arm spinner Maharaj, who has eight wickets for the match.
Nathan Lyon, who claimed three first-innings scalps and now sits sixth on the list of Australia’s all-time leading Test wicket-takers, will be licking his lips at the scoreboard and slow pitch.
Smith will also feel content with the state of play, once he moves on from being made to look decidedly mortal by part-time spinner Dean Elgar.
The world’s best batsman, fresh from a summer of Don Bradman comparisons, fell for 38 when he was trapped lbw by Elgar.
The shocked skipper unsuccessfully referred the verdict. It was one of many episodes of Decision Review System (DRS) drama on day three of the four-Test series opener.
Bancroft, under pressure following a lean trot that had stretched back to the second Ashes Test, weathered a couple of painful blows inflicted by Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada.
Bancroft’s defence was on song but he also kept the scoreboard ticking over, passing 50 with his 10th boundary.
The opener was stumped when he skipped down the wicket, attempting to ruin Maharaj’s rhythm.
Rabada may be in hot water after giving David Warner a send-off that attracted the umpires’ attention.
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