Morkel, Rabada hound Australia
Fast bowler Morne Morkel took his 300th Test wicket as South Africa bowled themselves into a strong position on the second day of the third Test against Australia at Newlands on Friday.
Australia were 245 for nine when bad light ended play, 66 runs behind South Africa's first innings total of 311.
Australia were in deep trouble at 175 for eight before Nathan Lyon hit a Test-best 47 in a ninth wicket partnership of 66 with Tim Paine, who was unbeaten on 33.
Morkel, who will retire from international cricket after the series, took three of the first four Australian wickets to fall and became the fifth South African to join the 300 club. He dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in his first spell, then came back to break a 78-run fourth wicket stand between Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh when Marsh flashed at a wide ball and was caught behind.
Morkel, 33, playing in his 85th Test, took a fourth wicket when Lyon's adventurous 38-ball innings was ended by a catch by Dean Elgar running back from point.
Earlier, Kagiso Rabada was hit for five boundaries in a row by David Warner but won a duel with the Australian opening batsman when he sent Warner's off stump cartwheeling.
Warner was bowled for 30. He hit three fours off the last three balls of Rabada's second over, then hooked the first ball of Rabada's next over for six.
He sliced a no-ball for four, then was bowled by a ball which went between bat and pad with Warner stuck on his crease.
Rabada, who had a two-match ban for making contact with Australian captain Steve Smith overturned before the Test, ran down the wicket to celebrate but did not go near the batsman.
AUSTRALIA LODGE OFFICIAL COMPLAINT AGAINST FANS
Australia laid an official complaint over what coach Darren Lehmann labelled "disgraceful" behaviour by spectators.
"You are talking about abuse of various players and their families and personal abuse," said Lehmann.
The principal target was Australian batsmen David Warner, who was approached by a spectator in the members' stand after he was dismissed, causing Warner to stop and turn as he climbed the steps to the dressing room.
The pair appeared to exchange heated words with unconfirmed reports saying the spectator was evicted from the ground.
Lehmann said Warner was not the only Australian player to face personal abuse.
“There have been various incidents throughout the Test series but this one has taken the cake," he said. "We have lodged an official complaint with South African cricket and we will see what happens.”
SCORES IN BRIEF
SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 311 (Elgar 141 not out, Amla 31, De Villiers 64, Rabada 22; Hazlewood 2-59, Lyon 2-43, Cummins 4-78)
AUSTRALIA: First innings 245 for 9 (Bancroft 77, Warner 30; M Morkel 4-87, Rabada 3-81)
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