Third successive De Kock century

The bowlers then consolidated the advantage by claiming important wickets as the home side reached 122/3 by the close to leave them still trailing by 420 runs at the halfway stage of the match.

The impressive aspect of the batting of the pair was not just the runs they scored but the pace at which they got them. The South Africans added 249 runs in less than two sessions today in 50 overs for a run rate in the region of five to the over.

De Kock continued his incredible run of form by completing a hat trick of centuries from his only three innings on this tour. As always his strike rate was in excess of 100 percent as he finished on 113 (102 balls, 13 fours and 3 sixes). It was his fifth first-class century and he also reached 2 000 first-class runs in his 29th match and his 49th innings.

After the early dismissal of Temba Bavuma for 66 (142 balls, 8 fours) De Kock found a useful partner in night watchman, Dane Piedt, in a sixth wicket partnership of 78 in 16.5 overs. Once Piedt departed the real fireworks started as De Kock and Vilas (75 off 74 balls, 10 fours and 2 sixes) added 107 in 18.4 overs.

Axar Patel was again the pick of the Indian attack, finishing with 4/115 from 39 overs. He was the only bowler to restrict the attacking South African approach.

Piedt put the cherry on the top of a good day for South Africa by taking 2/47 in 12 overs (both bowled). He was South Africa’s first choice spin bowler until he suffered a serious shoulder injury last year and this is the first time he has been properly fit since then. Shreyas Iyer (49 off 61 balls) has made the top score for India to date.

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

Twitter - @SportswaveAndre