Markram hangs in even as Australia close in on Test win

Lunch South Africa 284 & 166 for 6 (Markram 69*, Bedingham 46, Hazlewood 3-39) need a further 255 runs to beat Australia 390 and 314 for 6 dec (Renshaw 82, Maddinson 48, Maharaj 2-56, Nortje 2-56)

Aiden Markram resolutely batted through the morning session of the final day, but an unruffled Australia claimed two wickets before lunch to move closer to a comprehensive first Test victory over South Africa in Durban.

Set a record 421-run target, South Africa are almost down and out at 166 for 6 in their second innings with their slim chances of avoiding defeat resting with Markram and the lower-order.

Markram has been a shining light for South Africa having compiled 69 not out from 200 balls in a determined effort. He averages over 60 against Australia compared to his career mark of 35.5.

South Africa's hopes had been raised when Markram and Wiaan Mulder combined for a 69-run fifth-wicket partnership. They showed tremendous application and stout defence to halt Australia's push until Mulder's 110-ball stonewall ended in an antic-climax when he was strangled down the leg-side to quick Josh Hazlewood, who picked up his third wicket of the innings.

As has been a bane for South Africa through the match, they lost another wicket in close succession when Kyle Verreynne fell in loose fashion after edging a tame delivery from Matt Renshaw to Steven Smith, who had taken the field after passing concussion tests.

Having been wicketless from 30 deliveries in his Test career before this match, Renshaw - a part-time offspinner with 20 first-class wickets - has the surprising figures of 2 for 27 off 12 overs to continue his amazing Test match.

The Kingsmead surface started to play tricks on day four, but looked relatively benign in the morning session. The pitch has not broken up as expected with spinner Nathan Lyon unable to produce significant turn although there is variable bounce for the quicks to exploit.

While chasing down a world record fourth innings total always looked out of the question, South Africa's main focus was to make Australia increasingly nervous and bat deep into the day. There has not been a drawn Test in South Africa since August 2016, when the first Test against New Zealand in Durban was heavily rain-affected.

Ever since declaring their second innings by tea on day four, Australia had been hoping to wrap up the Test early on day five before the unknowns of the afternoon weather. Each of the first three days ended early in the final session due to bad light amid thickening dark clouds although day four went the distance.

South Africa resumed their second innings at 102 for 4 and facing a mountain after copping a beating with bat and ball on a wretched day four. Renshaw was surprisingly handed the ball to start the day's play, hoping to continue his unbelievable match which so far yielded scores of 190 and 82 plus his first Test wicket when he dismissed South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma late on day four.

Markram had to start again after compiling a patient 45 not out before stumps and he was determined to kick on having succumbed on 37 to a loose drive in the first innings. It didn't take long for Markram to wave his bat to the smattering of fans after reaching his 14th Test half-century off 129 balls - the second slowest fifty of his career. It was the first half-century of the match by a batter other than Renshaw.

A composed Markram was flawless for the first 30 minutes of the session until playing and missing a probing fuller delivery from Hazlewood. The batters were mostly intent on blunting the bowling, but they occasionally mixed things up with Mulder hitting the shot of the morning when he cover drove Hazlewood with grace and precision.

Markram capped a fine first hour for South Africa when he stroked Cummins through point for a boundary as Australia were left to ponder the situation during the drinks break. South Africa were poised to get through the session unscathed until Mulder fell in disappointing fashion before Renshaw's golden Test match continued.