104/2 is what the South African team scored in response to 139/10 made by the home team on the W.A.C.A track on Day 2 of the first Test. Starting the day on a constructive note, the Australian openers notched up an additional 50 runs to their partnership before commentator’s curse abridged David Warner’s right to score a century. Warner was caught by Hashim Amla off Dale Steyn on 97; the first time he lost his wicket in edgy nineties.
The first breakthrough of the game was enough to put the entire batting line-up in the same fray as it was the start of an epic batting slump for the Australians, who lost half the team with a score 181, just 23 more than the stage when Warner departed. Disappointing the hopes of captain once again, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh batted contrary to his brother getting a quack-quack duck alongside his name. Peter Nevill, the new man in, along with modern day Don Bradman, Adam Voges pushed Australia score par 200 before Voges was caught & bowled by Rabada. Starc followed him on the last delivery of the next over.
Peter Nevill, who had not lost any hope of getting a lead, tried best to get as close to the South African total to get a lead by any means. Though Nevill was not on the crease when Aussie took the lead but yes they had done it gaining something, better than nothing.
However, despite all good news throughout the day, the South African team suffered a big blow as the fast bowling spearhead Dale Steyn, who left the field in the morning session, was ruled out of the series as the pain this time had turned into a fracture of a bone in his right shoulder. The Proteas will now have to soon announce his replacement before the start of next game.
Steyn is the second big blow to visitors as AB de Villiers was ruled out of the series even before the announcement of the squad.
In reply, Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook provided the visitors a good start as the duo added 35 runs for the first wicket before Cook, playing a pull over mid-wicket, was caught by Warner, who flew like a bird at the speed of his bat to get on that catch. Hashim Amla soon followed Cook as he played on one back to the stumps from Josh Hazelwood.
With 20 overs remaining in the day, Australia were in hope of getting one or two more wickets in order to gain an upper hand but resistance from Dean Elgar and JP Duminy kept the hopes of the Mitchell Starc and Co. at bay as South Africa ended the day with with an overall lead of 102.
Elgar scored 46 while Duminy was unbeaten on 34.