Australian coach Darren Lehmann has reserved special praise for Tasmanian Tim Paine on a tough day for the tourists in Cape Town.
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Amid indifferent and uninspired batting from David Warner, Usman Khawaja and captain Steve Smith, Paine continued his assuredness since taking over the Test batting role of the keeper off Matthew Wade and Peter Nevill.
The Australians mustered their way overnight to 9-245 when bad light stopped play, trailing South Africa by 66 runs on Friday in the third Test.
South Africa had the better of the second day after Dean Elgar (141 not out) and Kagiso Rabada added 50 runs for the ninth wicket during opening session.
Falling from 3-150 to 8-175 in the space of 18 overs, Australia was set to give away a 100-plus lead.
But some lusty late-order hitting from spinner Nathan Lyon (47) and stern resistance from Paine (33 not out) gave their side great hope.
Lehmann went as far to suggest that Paine was more than just a worthy No.7, but performing as good as anyone in Australian batting lineup.
“Really it was only Nathan and Tim – and Nathan had a bit of luck at the back end – who played really well,”Lehmann said.
“Tim has probably been our standout batsman for the tour so far – just the way he’s played.
“He’s played reverse swing and generally just their bowlers well.”
Paine is currently averaging 45.3 in the South African Test series to add to his 155 runs at 77.5 in the recent Ashes series.
The 33-year-old has now pushed his career average up to 41 overnight in his eighth Test match back since adding to his previous four that dated back to 2010.
The day ended on a sour note when Lehmann confirmed that the Australians had filed a complaint to Cricket South Africa over poor crowd behaviour.
The incident escalated when one fan was held back by security as Warner walked off the field after Rabada dismissed the aggressive opener.
Lehmann slammed the South African crowd behaviour at Newlands as “disgraceful” and one of the poorest he has witnessed touring.
The verbal attacks were directed at partner and families of the players, including Warner’s wife Candice.
Cricket South Africa reported 12 people, including nine on Friday, were evicted over the opening two days.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
