The second day of the Jo’burg Test between Australia and South Africa saw the hosts take the driving seat in the match. Day 2 of the Test match belonged to the South African lower order feat, Quinton de Kock, Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj.
With the help of the lower order, the hosts put up a total of 488, as Temba Bavuma missed out on his second Test ton by just five runs.
Man in focus for the Proteas, Morne Morkel, playing his last game, received a golden duck in an anti-climax. Pat Cummins continued his wicket-taking form as he scalped yet another 5-wicket haul in Test.
Australians lacked penetration from the other end of Cummins, therefore, conceded too many after a promising end of Day 1. Australians, in reply, were off to a disastrous start as the absence of Warner and Smith clearly hurt them.
Usman Khawaja gave away his start, just when he was looking comfortable at the crease for his 53. Quinton de Kock proved that he indeed is the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the world as he took a blinder of a catch down the leg side while keeping up to Philander.
Within quick succession, both the Marsh brothers were dismissed. Australia was left tottering at 110 for the loss of six wickets on Stumps. Pat Cummins and Tim Paine remained unbeaten at the crease with the Aussie staring at a possible follow-on.
Vernon Philander was the pick of the bowlers as he clinched three key wickets and conceded only 17 in his 12 overs.
While cricket was being played in South Africa, the off-field drama saw David Warner break down in a conference, following the breakdown of captain Smith.
Aiden Markram continued to receive adulations from the cricketing community for his mammoth knock of 152. With this knock, the Proteas went out to state that their future remains in special hands.
Here’s how Twitter reacted
https://twitter.com/CricFan2000/status/979467245507182598
Joe Burns flown 11 000km to get out for 4 #SAvAUS
— BlackSheep ?? (@Motsi_ZA) March 31, 2018
Russell Domingo six months ago on Markram #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/Y7BTLW1QJE
— Henry Dube (@HenryDube72) March 30, 2018
Stop whatever you're doing and watch AB de Villiers. #SAvAUS
— EEMS (@NaeemahBenjamin) March 30, 2018
A new opening pair (Matt Renshaw & Joe Burns) for Australia in Tests.
The last time Aussie had two right handed opening pair – Michael Slater & Greg Blewett at Wellington in March 2000 – 18 years ago spanning 207 Tests!
Since then Australia have used 27 opening pairs ?#SAvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 31, 2018
I hope this knock shuts up the Bavuma detractors! #SAvAus
— Gasant Abarder (@GasantAbarder) March 31, 2018
I feel so sad for Themba Bavuma ?? he must be so disappointed. But he batted well. Go proteas!!!?? #SAvAUS
— ANGA (@NaakMusiQ) March 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/AngeloZack/status/979735046302167040
46th Test Fifty for @ABdeVilliers17 ? What a run of form!
To imagine that he's going to carry on the same vein of touch in the 2018 VIVO IPL ?#SAvAUS #PlayBold— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Me__Aashoo/status/979757558943633408
Pat Cummins is high class .. With Rabada Test Cricket is in great hands over the next few years for quality quick bowling .. #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 31, 2018
Only four players in the past 50 years have scored 2000-plus runs against Australia at an average exceeding 50:
Tendulkar: 3630 @ 55.00
AB DE VILLIERS: 2000 @ 52.63
Lara: 2856 @ 51.00
Lloyd: 2211 @ 50.25#SAvAUS— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) March 30, 2018
Cummins finishes with 5-83, just his second first-class five-wicket haul. His first: Jo'burg, 2011 on Test debut #SAvAUS
— Sam Ferris (@samuelfez) March 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/SihleTweets/status/979621144075689984
Temba Bavuma is a real life story of an underdog which is why people love him so much… everyone sees a little bit of themselves in Bavuma.
Dynamite comes in Bavuma packages #SAvAUS
— Iron duke Jr. (@Iron_Duke89) March 31, 2018
5 for @patcummins30! His second 5-fer in Test cricket. ?? #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/rFKfCp3xs2
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 31, 2018
PLEASE GOD, WE HAVE SINNED ENOUGH, PLEASE DON'T LET SHANE WARNE COACH AUSTRALIA. #SAvAUS
— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) March 30, 2018
Australia’s top order in disarray with the bat and at press conferences #SAvAUS
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 31, 2018
Hong…
hong…
Drop Bavuma .
Now you chanting his name in praise.#SAvAUS #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/MamOwAw9ik— King⚡ (@Gwabvus) March 31, 2018
Maharaj must be promoted to the top #SAvAUS #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/ofihN6Ehpp
— Katlie? (@Katleho_Katz) March 31, 2018
95* Not out So Sad you didn't get your 100. You played so well. #afterallthecriticism you held it down today @tbavuma10
Well done Pa ??? #SAvAUS SA 488 all out. pic.twitter.com/Zog31kIXaw— ThandoManana?? (@TandoManana) March 31, 2018
Test cricket has now had a Chadd and a Chadwick, but never a Chad. I'd call it a fun fact but that would going too far. #SAvAUS
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) March 31, 2018
Bancroft's loss is Joe Burns' gain. Joey Burns is exciting to watch, he had a good start to his test career, scored 3 100s in 13 tests when he was dropped in 2016, I felt it was a rough deal for him, now he's back and will enjoy a long run. Good player, watch out! #SAvAus
— Agent Vikram (@SriniMaama16) March 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/SihleTweets/status/980058185481510912
Saffa : "Wheres your captain"?
Me : "Resting to win the World Cup again next year. Wheres your World Cup medals"
Saffa : cheat cheat cheat
?#SAvAUS— Kgomotso van Suid Afrika (@KgomotsoKuts) March 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/ForensicExpertR/status/980060184985980929
Don't cry for these blokes. From the very top to the very bottom, they all thought they could get away with it, writes Patrick Smith #warner #stevesmith #SAvAUS https://t.co/0YOuSxf9A0 pic.twitter.com/TWQOPtDF7T
— The Australian (@australian) March 31, 2018
Guard of honour for Morkel and he goes out first ball. He went out as he came in. A legend number 11. #SAvAUS
— Sibongile Mafu (@sboshmafu) March 31, 2018
Love how Temba always unwillingly gets himself in awkward situations in wicket celebrations ?? #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/vaDDpD7hPE
— James II (@chickz07) March 31, 2018
Tim Paine "I've been watching soccer on SuperSport this week and I notice they shake hands before every game and I thought cricket is the gentleman’s game. I think it’s something that we will use going forward as I just think it’s a good show of sportsmanship and respect" #SAvAUS
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 30, 2018
Ladies: find yourself a man who speaks about you to people as fondly as Shane Warne speaks to people about himself. #SAvAUS
— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) March 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/CA_CEO/status/980081050549411841
Somewhere in Sydney Steve Smith will be watching this game and must be feeling gutted as he is not there to lead his team from the front. He used to love getting his team out of the trouble!!#SAvAUS #SandpaperGate
— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) March 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/Me__Aashoo/status/979769671279874048
https://twitter.com/JustPlainTwit/status/979744576742322177
Tim Paine on taking the Aussie men's team in a new direction, starting with a shake of hands #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/tu4WvPbwCx
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 30, 2018
I don't care what the scoreboard says, Bavuma's knock is a 100 for me #SAvAus pic.twitter.com/Zb9KamiQ8t
— The Yellow Flash (@MaxDanOfThieves) March 31, 2018
Another Good Friday thought … Aiden Markram is a incredible Young opening Batsman … #SAvAus
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 30, 2018
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