Australia 3-331 (David Warner 135, Michael Clarke 92*, Steven Smith 50*, Jean-Paul Duminy 1-37, Dale Steyn 1-44) vs. South Africa

David Warner continued with his brilliant form whereas Michael Clarke and Steven Smith consolidated the position of the visitors with their unbeaten fifties.

The Kangaroos hammered 331 runs for the loss of just three wickets after utilising 88 overs.

The third and final Test of the series commenced on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Newlands, Cape Town.

Earlier, Michael Clarke, the skipper of Australia, won the toss and opted to bat first on a good looking surface. Chris Rogers along with David Warner took off smoothly and reached 64 after 13 overs. The first was dismissed for 25 in the following over and was replaced by Alex Doolan whereas Warner hit his fifty on the 50^th ball he faced. The second wicket partnership was dislodged at 138 when Doolan was gone for 20.

Clarke walked in next and survived a review for a catch behind at eight while David Warner blasted his seventh Test hundred in the 40^th over with a four. The run rate was slowed down a bit and especially Clarke was slowest of the two and managed 14 runs in 55 deliveries. He was dropped at 27 by the rival captain Graeme Smith off Dean Elgar on the second ball of the 56^th over. David Warner was finally sent back to the pavilion at 217 at his personal feat of 135 from 152 with 1 six and 12 fours.

Steven Smith got together with Michael Clarke who crawled to his 28^th Test half century on the 122^nd ball. The pair kept on consolidating and the third hundred of the innings was displayed on board in the 84^th over. Smith reached his sixth Test fifty with a boundary and remained unbeaten for 50, Clarke secured his end for 92 as the Aussies amassed 3-331 in 88 overs.

Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Jean-Paul Duminy were the only wicket takers with one each.

Australia took off superbly on the first day and they are in a position to tease the Proteas with a first innings total of over 500 runs.