Stephen Cook led from the front to keep SA in the game at Adelaide on day three. 

The 33-year-old was left on his own with his 81 runs the only stand-out score from South Africa’s innings.

After Australia were bowled out in the first session setting a lead of 124, the Proteas needed to form some solid partnerships to take control of the match. They never got off to their desired start, losing Dean Elgar for a duck after facing just three balls.

Although Cook and Hashim Amla (45) strung together an 81-run partnership, it was Cook who played the anchor role for his side, carrying his team with his second career fifty. The opener kept the scoreboard ticking despite losing six partners along the way and battled through the pressure, facing 117 balls to reach his half-century.

This is an important innings for Cook as he looks to keep his place in the side with the return of AB de Villiers looming. He will look to continue his form and build a strong partnership with the Proteas’ leading run-scorer in the series, Quinton de Kock, as they aim to add on to their 70-run lead.

Cook’s half-century:

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