Australia fought back against South Africa on Day 2 of the 3rd Test at Newlands, ending on 330-4 and taking a lead.

It was a warm day in Cape Town with the sun beating down on the surface. Blue skies were overhead, with not a cloud in the sky. When the covers were removed in the morning, it revealed a flat brown pitch. These conditions were expected to benefit the batters, particularly in the first half of the morning session.

Australia started off the game at a steady pace with an achieved run rate of 3.8, with no wickets falling after 10 overs. The Baggy Greens were handling the conditions well, while South Africa were struggling to find a desired early breakthrough.

The Proteas’ seamers prodded away at a consistent line and length, but the lack of any cracks or deviations in the pitch, meant that they never posed much of a threat to the Aussies’ openers.

Patience was key for the visitors, and for the home side? Maybe they needed something different.

This something different came in the form of Simon Harmer. He took the desired two wickets before the Lunch break. First, he dismissed Travis Head. Coming from around the wicket, he flighted in a fuller-length delivery that spun away from the left-hander. Head edged the ball into his stumps, as the South Africans and the crowd erupted in celebration. It was a crucial wicket for the side, especially with Head sitting comfortably on 41 off 49 deliveries.

He continued with his teasing line and length, and Marnus Labuschagne fell for the trap, edging to Aiden Markram at slip for a duck. This marked another difficult Test innings in South Africa for the SA-born Australian.

The Proteas won the session, with Australia going into lunch on 90-2, trailing by 239 runs.

After Lunch, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green’s partnership of 126 off 191 balls took Australia to 191/4. Australia’s batters continued to build their innings as Green reached his third milestone in a row and Matt Renshaw made 50 off 101 balls. The travelling fans, and surprisingly a large portion of South Africans, erupted in applause as both reached their half-centuries back-to-back.

The Proteas regained their momentum as Marco Jansen took a long-awaited wicket, sending Matt Renshaw walking for 74 runs off 139.

Jansen followed that with a swift second wicket 3 balls later, as Green was caught out by Harmer after scoring 65 off 110 balls. This was his 100th Test wicket.

South Africa went in to Tea having taken back the advantage, with Australia ending the session on 191/4.

After Tea, the pendulum swung again. Josh Inglis (85*) and Alex Carey (51*) became Australia’s dependables as they grew more comfortable at the crease, finding the gaps and using the conditions to their advantage. They racked up 145 runs in 232 balls.

The Proteas bowlers struggled to break down this partnership. Despite the tactical bowling change of bringing in Aiden Markram, the Proteas were unable to capitalise, giving away boundaries and singles.

Australia ended the day on 330-4 with a lead of 1.