The big news: South Africa six wickets away from win

Australia are staring at a huge defeat in Perth after South Africa dominated day four of the first Test, setting the hosts a target of 539 to win the first Test. South Africa began the day with a lead of 388 runs and increased it to 538 before declaring, with Quinton de Kock (64), Vernon Philander (73) and Keshav Maharaj (41 not out) chipping in with gritty knocks. Australia ended the day at 169/4, still 369 runs in deficit.

Australia’s David Warner was run out on 35 in a brilliant manner by Temba Bavuma, which lifted the spirits of the Proteas. Pacer Kagiso Rabada took three wickets for 49 runs in 16 overs to dismantle the Australian top order. He got the wickets of Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith and Adam Voges. Usman Khawaja remained unbeaten on 58 along with Mitchell Marsh on 15 at the end of day’s play.

Other top stories

  1. After much delay, Board of Control for Cricket in India President Anurag Thakur has written a letter to the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha panel, stating that he is ready to meet the members after November 9, reported PTI. 
  2. The West Indies women’s team arrived in Vijaywada on Sunday. The world champions, led by captain Stafanie Taylor, will face India from November 10 in the ICC Women’s Championship at the Mulapadu Cricket Ground. The squad will play three one-day Internationals and three T20I matches.
  3. Former England player Owais Shah’s spell as interim coach of the UAE has been extended until the end of January. Shah was originally supposed to take charge only for 15 days. However, he has now been retained for three months more, as the Emirates Cricket Board’s search for a full-time successor continues.
  4. Sri Lanka ended day one of the second Test against Zimbabwe at 290/5 in Harare. Dhananjaya de Silva scored a brilliant unbeaten 100 for Sri Lanka. Hamilton Masakadza grabbed two wickets against the visitors and was the pick of the bowlers. 
  5. Two Ranji Trophy games in Delhi were cancelled as high levels of pollution and smog made the conditions unplayable. The Gujarat-Bengal match at the Feroz Shah Kotla and the Hyderabad-Tripura match at the Karnail Singh Stadium were cancelled after there was no improvement in air quality on day two of the clash.