Australia are being backed to take control of the match despite South Africa holding a 40-run lead and having lost four wickets, with Kerry O’Keeffe, Mark Waugh and David Warner all favouring the tourists.
O’Keeffe said Australia could quickly complete the job if they made early inroads, pointing to the deterioration in the surface late on the previous day.
“It’s climax time, isn’t it? This is why we turn up (at Test cricket),” O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket. “I think Australia are well ahead in the game. The way the surface was being disturbed late yesterday, these six could fall over very quickly – and then it’s a walk to the line for Australia.”
Waugh was less emphatic but also put Australia in the stronger position, saying South Africa needed a substantial addition to their total before they could be considered firmly in contention.
“Australia’s in the driver’s seat, aren’t they. I think South Africa need another 150-200 to be in the game. They’ve got a bit of batting to come, but I think Australia are in the driver’s seat,” he said.
Warner also identified the opening hour as crucial for Australia, warning that the tourists would need to balance their attack with the need to prevent South Africa from adding freely.
“I think it’s Australia. This first hour is a big one for Australia. It’ll be a balance of attacking and saving runs,” Warner said.
