SPORTS Tuesday, April 3, 2018 21 SA close in on victory Johannesburg side strain. South Africa’s other fast heavily-strapped Morne But a later diagnosis was that bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Morkel made two the problem was a less severe Vernon Philander, were Abreakthroughs as South Africa abdominal strain. struggling with a stiff lower back pushed for victory on the fourth Morkel, with extensive and a groin strain respectively. day of the fourth Test against strapping around his midriff, They both bowled short spells Australia at the Wanderers came on to bowl as second with the new ball. Stadium yesterday. change and with his tenth ball Captain Faf du Plessis hit 120 Australia, set an impossible trapped Matt Renshaw leg before and Dean Elgar made 81 before 612 to win, were 88 for three wicket with a full-length delivery South Africa declared at 344 for when bad light ended play. angled in to the left-hander. six. The tall Morkel, playing in Left-arm spinner Keshav They shared a fourth-wicket his final Test before retirement, Maharaj also won a leg before partnership of 170, the best for dismissed both opening batsmen decision, when Usman Khawaja any wicket by either side during in an impressive eight-over spell. played no shot to a ball which the series. (AFP) South Africa delayed their spun sharply out of the rough, second-innings declaration until before Morkel struck again when tea, with a team spokesperson Joe Burns played across a ball of citing concerns about injuries to almost yorker length. BRIEF SCORE all three of their fast bowlers. Burns, one of three Australia 221 and 88 for 3 The main worry appeared to replacements for the Australian (Handscomb 23*, Shaun Marsh 7*) be the fitness of Morkel, who trio banned for their role in a need 524 more runs to beat South left the field and was unable to ball-tampering scandal, made 42 Africa 488 and 344 for 6 (du Plessis South Africa’s complete an over on Sunday off 84 balls with five fours and 120, Elgar 81) Faf du Plessis with what was described as a a six. raises his arms to celebrate his century (Pic courtesy: AFP) Jeet Raval of New Zealand dug in during a difficult opening (Pic courtesy: AFP) Isner outlasts Gloom Zverev dents for first Miami England’s BRIEF SCORE New Zealand 278 and 42 for 0 title (Latham 25*, Raval 17*) need another John Isner (Pic courtesy: Espn) 340 runs to beat England 307 and 352 hopes for 9 dec (Vince 76, Stoneman 60, Root Miami winning every service game. 54, Malan 53, de Grandhomme 4-94) ohn Isner found new energy and The win will enable Isner outlasted Germany’s Alexander to become the highest ranked Christchurch umpires that their quicks could no England’s bowlers, however, were JZverev 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 at the Miami American at number nine when the ngland’s hopes of ending a long longer be used, the players left the field not repelled without a fight. James Open on Sunday for the biggest title new world rankings are released on and arduous campaign with with New Zealand sitting pretty on 42 Anderson and Stuart Broad hounded of his career. Monday. theirE first overseas Test victory in 13 for 0 after 23 overs of hard graft. The the outside edge of both openers in The 32-year-old American was The match, which lasted two attempts were blunted by an obdurate net result was that the home side will another gruelling new-ball spell, with tiring noticeably in the second set hours and 30 minutes, was the last opening stand from New Zealand’s need a further 340 runs for victory on Raval taking a nasty blow to the torso but won the ninth game to go up for the Miami Open at Crandon Tom Latham and Jeet Raval, as well as the final day - an outlandish prospect, from Broad as he was forced to wait 15 5-4. Park. After 32 years it will move to the onset of the antipodean autumn, given the likelihood of further lost deliveries to get off the mark. The moment inspired Isner, who a new facility next year. as bad light descended shortly after tea overs. But it was Anderson who forced changed to a yellow shirt and won It also capped a successful to saw 24 overs off the day’s allocation. However,New Zealand will surely England’s one clear-cut opportunity that set and the next for his first weekend for American tennis Despite an attempt to rage against believe they can bat out for the draw - when Latham, on 23, was dropped victory over Zverev. “I couldn’t with U.S. Open champion Sloane the dying of the light, with England that will secure them their first series by James Vince, a tough but genuine have scripted this,” said the 14th Stephens claiming the women’s title turning to the spin of Jack Leach and win over England since 1999, and chance, diving to his left at third slip in seed in a courtside interview after on Saturday. (Reuters) Joe Root after being informed by the their first at home since 1983-84. the brief final session. (espncricinfo)