CAPE TOWN: South Africa took control by stumps in the third Test on Thursday thanks to a brilliant partnership between Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen as the hosts need 111 runs on the fourth day tomorrow to clinch the series.
South Africa finished the day at 101/2, still needing a further 111 runs to win. That was largely due to the 78-run stand between Petersen and Elgar after the opener Aiden Markram fell early in the final session.
India had gone into the final session on a high, thanks to Pant’s magnificent 100, which helped them set the hosts a target of 212. However, so effective were Petersen and Elgar that the tables quickly turned.
Petersen carried his rich vein of form as he played some delightful shots to remain unbeaten on 48 at the end of the day’s play. Elgar, meanwhile, did find himself in tricky positions, but managed to survive and helped build a stand of 78.
Unfortunately for the South Africa captain, he was dismissed at the very end of the day, when he tried to chase a wide delivery down the leg side from Jasprit Bumrah and was caught behind for 30. Stumps were called soon after, setting up an intriguing fourth day.
