Jansen’s stunning catch to dismiss Smith: SA vs AUS 1st Test

South Africa needed something special to dismiss Steve Smith, and Marco Jansen’s superb catch at the boundary line completed that stance during the fourth day of the opening Test of the three-match series between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead in Durban. The game hangs in balance as the Proteas try to bundle out the visitors.

The Pat Cummins-led side showed incredible grit and determination in the first innings of the game. Despite losing continuous wicket with the top and middle order returning with poor figures, Matt Renshaw smashed a dashing knock of 190 runs to bail them out of trouble.

Watch Marco Jansen’s stunning catch that ended Steve Smith’s innings in Durban

It was the fifth ball of the 24th over of the innings when Steve Smith continued to show his aggression with the bat against the off-spinner, Simon Harmer. On the first delivery of the same over, he had already got to the pitch of the ball and lofted it down the ground as the ball sailed over tall Marco Jansen.

Watch Marco Jansen's catch here-

But on the fifth ball of the innings, as Smith tried to be brave and played the same shot, he didn’t get the expected elevation to clear the fence. He used his feet and didn’t get as close to the pitch of the ball but still went through with loft and hit it wide of the long-on region.

Jansen moved to his right and tried to take it over his head. But the ball popped out of his hand, initially. However, he settled himself and grabbed the ball on the second attempt to send back the former captain for 27 runs off 41 balls.

How Australia showed their dominance with the bat in the second innings

Renshaw’s superb knock of 190 runs along with the contributions from the lower order helped the visitors to post a massive score of 390 runs in their first innings. South Africa failed in their first innings’ of batting and were rolled over for just 284 runs, giving away a lead of 106 runs. Cummins returned with figures of 3/54.

The Proteas needed a special performance in the second innings with the ball, while Australia shouldered the lead over the 300-run mark. Their opener, Nic Maddinson, played a fine knock of 48 runs off 38 balls.

Brief Scores: Australia 197/4 (Nic Maddinson 48, Marco Jansen 1/28) & 390 (Matt Renshaw 190, Wiaan Mulder 4/68) lead South Africa 284 (David Bedingham 49, Pat Cummins 3/54) by 303 runs.