Adelaide — South Africa were within sight of the lead at dinner on day three of the third test against Australia in Adelaide on Saturday.

The visitors‚ who were 100/2 in their second innings‚ whittled the deficit down to 24.

Australia were dismissed for 383 in their first innings in reply to South Africa’s declaration of 259/9.

The home side resumed on 307/6 and lost their first wicket of the day in the seventh over when Vernon Philander trapped Usman Khawaja in front with a delivery that straightened after pitching.

Khawaja batted on all three days of the match for his 145‚ in which he faced 308 balls and hit 12 fours.

Mitchell Starc scored 53 before he was caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 53.

Debutant left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took his maiden test wicket when he had a sweeping Nathan Lyon caught at leg slip.

Rabada ended the innings by having Jackson Bird well held by Faf du Plessis at second slip.

Kyle Abbott‚ who took all his wickets on Friday‚ finished with 3/49 while Rabada took 3/84.

South Africa lost Dean Elgar with just a run on the board when the opener edged Starc and was well caught by Steve Smith at second slip.

Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla steadied the innings with a stand of 81 — which was ended eight overs before dinner when Josh Hazlewood had Amla caught behind for 45.

Cook stood firm for an unbeaten 43‚ his highest score of the series‚ with JP Duminy on five.

— TMG Digital