Cricket-Australia fight back in decisive test v South Africa

Opener Marques Ackerman ​struck a career-best 95 as South Africa ​reached 221 for four at ‌tea on ​the first day of the decisive third and final test against Australia at Newlands on Tuesday.

• Australia captain Pat Cummins won ‌the toss and chose to field, only the 12th time a team has done so in tests at Newlands since 1889. Five of the previous 11 tests were won by the team ‌electing to field. • Ackerman, 30, playing in his second test, and Aiden Markram (78) added 158 ‌in 31.4 overs for the first wicket as they took the attack to Australia.

• Ackerman was out when he danced down the wicket to spinner Nathan Lyon and was stumped five short of his century, a rash ⁠shot ​as he tried to ⁠go to his ton with a six. • Markram was caught on the boundary by Mitchell Starc off Josh Hazlewood, ⁠while captain Temba Bavuma was bowled by Lyon (2-51) for a duck and Matthew Breetzke fell LBW to ​left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly for 2.

• David Bedingham (41 not out) and Ryan Rickelton (2 not ⁠out) will resume for the home side in the final session of the day. • Australia are without key batter ⁠Steve ​Smith, who failed to recover from a neck injury. They made four changes with Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Connolly and Lyon coming into the side.

• The series is level at ⁠1-1 after Australia won the first test by 214 runs in Durban and South Africa responded ⁠with a victory ⁠by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha. • The team who win the match will occupy the number one position in the test world ‌rankings, a ‌position currently held by Australia.