After an enthralling first day of the third Test match at Newlands, where South Africa gave away a promising start by the end of the day’s play, it was the hosts who have their noses ahead in conclusion of Day 2.
South Africa resumed their innings with the overnight score of 266 for the loss of eight wickets. Their gritty opening batsman managed to carry his bat for the third time in his Test career with the help of his unbeaten 141.
A minor resistance from Rabada ensured that the home team posted a handful total of 311, in the hindsight.
For the Australians, Cummins was the pick of the bowlers as he clinched a four-wicket haul and turned the game on its head.
Hazlewood also gave ample support to Cummins with his couple of wickets. Lyon finished the formalities for his side with his two wickets on Day 2. The early fireworks were provided by David Warner who scored a rapid 14-ball 30.
However, it was Kagiso Rabada, who curtailed his knock short and directed him towards the pavilion. From there on, wickets continued to tumble one after the other until Shaun Marsh came to the crease and provided some resistance.
Cameron Bancroft vigil at the crease was the only positive for the Australian side’s in the day. The opener scored 77 off just 103 deliveries in an innings laced with fourteen boundaries.
Morne Morkel was simply sensational during the phase as he clinched three wickets to create a talking point in the game. By dismissing Shaun Marsh, Morkel reached the 300th Test dismissal, becoming only the fifth South African to reach the milestone.
Rabada, following the wicket of Warner, dismissed Starc and Cummins to aggravate the Australian miseries. Philander also chipped in by removing Barncroft and Mitchell Marsh from the equation.
Things were looking bleak for the visitors with the score at 175 and only two wickets in hand. Aussies still trailed by 133 and were in danger of conceding a massive lead.
However, the following the trend of the series, the game saw an exciting turnaround with a priceless partnership between Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon off 66 runs in no time
The spinner fell three short of a magnificent counter-attacking half-century which frustrated South Africa beyond measures.
At stumps on Day 2, Australia ended up with registering 245 on the board and trailing by 66 runs. Tim Paine remained unbeaten at his end on a resolute 33.
Here’s a look at how Twitter reacted
The trajectory of David Warner's off stump in slow motion is one of the most beautiful, hypnotic things I have ever seen in my life. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/vnOy3Tjlo0
— Tony Webeck (@TonyWebeck) March 23, 2018
My kind of people. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/p7z2Zgxu6P
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) March 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Dazza_20/status/977124262417858560
And Steve Smith is out for the 100 th time in Test Cricket. After 100 dismissals, averages 61.92 despite struggling in this series. Such an exciting test series this is.#SAvAUS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/KupisoLunga/status/977166273904807942
Congratulations ??? 300 TEST WICKETS FOR MORNE MORKEL
What an Incredible Achievement!!!
Morne Morkel is a South African fast bowler who reaches this personal milestone in the 2018 Australian Test series which marks the last series of his cricket career #SAvAUS #SABCcricket pic.twitter.com/XD6bvfpoL6
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) March 23, 2018
Give Smith a break. You can't expect him to perform well with a broken shoulder #SAvAUS
— Matshaya (@MaNxeleNomava) March 23, 2018
Photo of 2018 so far? ?#SAvAUS #SAvsAUS pic.twitter.com/PKjiYviQGt
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) March 23, 2018
Five catches by a fielder in an innings of a Test match #SAvAUS
V Richardson
Yujuvendra Singh
M Azharuddin
K Srikkanth
S Fleming
G Smith
D Sammy
Darren Bravo
A Rahane
J Blackwood
STEVE SMITH *— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 23, 2018
Steve Smith is only effective on his backyard , not good as Kohli who gets runs across the world in all formats. #SAvAUS
— Rakesh ?? (@Rakeysh84) March 23, 2018
Woah ? Watta contest ? @CricketAus @OfficialCSA #SAvAUS #Rabada ? pic.twitter.com/SaYC5ds59I
— RAMA (@Jehbaat) March 23, 2018
Touching tribute to Newlands 2011 Test by Lyon, making 47 all by himself #SAvAUS
— Daniel Brettig ? (@danbrettig) March 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/PUNchayatii/status/977141120399392768
https://twitter.com/brainfadesmith/status/977145291236241408
https://twitter.com/Khakshar/status/977181463228555264
https://twitter.com/Golfhackno1/status/977171782301048832
Vernon Philander with reviews ??
It like Steve Smith facing Kagiso Rabada ???? pic.twitter.com/Sodpl8Jusg
— Gatsheni Omkhulu? (@Gatsheni_Siboh) March 23, 2018
Congratulations to @mornemorkel65 for taking his 300th test wicket! He becomes the 5th Protea to reach this figure. #TeamNB #SAvAUS #BeProteas pic.twitter.com/tqgjNxD3ZS
— New Balance Cricket (@NBCricket) March 23, 2018
Truth be told, we are sloppy finishers when it comes to cleaning up the opposition’s tail. #SAvAUS
— Anele Mkumla (@anelemkumla) March 23, 2018
Yesterday Stuart Broad took his 400th Tes wicket..
Today Morne Morkel took his 300th Test wicket..
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 23, 2018
It’s easy to share Morkel’s happiness about his 300th. By all accounts, he is among the nicest guys in international cricket.
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) March 23, 2018
Pollock, Steyn, Ntini, Donald, Morkel. #300
— stuart hess (@shockerhess) March 23, 2018
TEARS IN MY EYES ????? Big Morne Morkel celebrating his 300th Test Wicket against Australia ?? pic.twitter.com/0Qkwcdzxpv
— simmi (@simmiareff) March 23, 2018