SA v AUS 2018: 2nd Test, Port Elizabeth: South Africa take the upper hand on Day 1

After all the on and off-field drama at the Kingsmead, Durban, the focus finally shifted towards cricket as Port Elizabeth hosted the two-Test heavyweights, Australia and South Africa, for the Second Test Match.

Winning the toss, Steve Smith decided to bat first on a visibly damp surface at St. George’s Park Oval. The Australians won the first session as openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft saw the new ball off without losing any wickets.

However, just at the stroke of lunch, Philander clinched the wicket of Bancroft who was dismissed on 38. The seamer broke the 98 runs stand before lunch was taken.

The Post lunch session belonged to the South Africans hands-down as they ran through the Australian middle order by clinching five wickets and conceding only 70-odd runs.

David Warner continued his good form with a 63. He top scored the Australian inning with his combative knock. It was Kagiso Rabada who orchestrated the Australian collapse. From 161-4, Australians were reduced to 182-8. South Africa’s premier pacer clinched four wickets in seven balls during this phase.

Late resistance from Nathan Lyon, Tim Paine and Josh Hazlewood ensured that Australian posted a total of 243 before getting bundled. In the hindsight, it was a good toss to lose for Faf du Plessis. Lungi Ngidi, who came in place of Morne Morkel was simply sensational in only his third Test match.

Ngidi dismissed Warner, Lyon and Paine off absolute beauties. The three batsmen had no answer to the deliveries from Ngidi as all three lost their stumps. Both Ngidi and Rabada shared eight wickets amongst themselves. Rabada picked up his eighth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

His sendoff to Smith was the talking point of the day. Rabada, with the nudge on Smith’s shoulders, is now looking at a possible suspension with 5 demerit point already in his tally.

South Africa, in reply, lost the wicket of Aiden Markram early on for 11. Nightwatchman for South Africa, Rabada, chipped in with a vital 14-ball 17, to release the pressure off his team.

The Proteas ended day 1 with 39 runs on the board and losing only the solitary wicket of Markram. Elgar and Rabada remain unbeaten with the hosts trailing by 204 runs.

Here’s how Twitter Reacted

Most impressive thing about this Test series so far is that we are getting a glimpse into what our Test team looks like in a few years and those players have certainly put in some encouraging performances thus far #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->u<!---->s

— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/AlauddinKhilj10/status/972088511703625728

Best picture of the day. You beauty Rabada ?#<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->5<!---->A<!---->O<!---->4<!---->U<!---->l<!---->a<!---->9<!---->2<!---->g

— Prajakta (@18prajakta) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/Grit_Sports/status/972074237111480321

https://twitter.com/aditya30sri/status/972094828358991877

Can anyone confirm why Steve Smith is covering his face with that thing on his head?? ??#<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->r<!---->9<!---->j<!---->n<!---->v<!---->M<!---->h<!---->x<!---->b<!---->x

— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Superb Bowling!!!

That’s a five wicket haul (5/72) for Kagiso Rabada ???

This is Rabada’s eighth five-for in test cricket and his second against Australia. #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->B<!---->C<!---->c<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->A<!---->O<!---->V<!---->f<!---->X<!---->v<!---->H<!---->m<!---->J<!---->z

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Is Rabada going to get in trouble for his "send off" to Smith just there? He was in his face sure, but I didn't see any touch, but Smith turned around immediately and gestured that KG nudged him. Tactics? #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S #<!---->S<!---->S<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/AngeloZack/status/972092972404748288

https://twitter.com/swing_seam/status/972098599566716928

https://twitter.com/Cricket24_com/status/972099265655951362

#<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S RABADA! The fast bowler has his 5-wicket-haul. He's clean bowled Mitchell Starc for 8 to leave Australia on 182/8.

That's Rabada's 8th 5-for

— EWN Sport (@EWNsport) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Incredible spell from Kagiso Rabada , SA needs to make sure the comeback is complete now #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/ashankar100/status/972110077179187205

One line QdK clearly doesn’t understand is outside the line.. ? #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S

— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

https://twitter.com/mondli_motha/status/972109992663879680

Thank you Port Elizabeth band for playing some wonderful tunes at the cricket. Now would you kindly shut the fuck up please. #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S

— Skippy Johnston ? (@LukeAFoley) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Edgars and Markhams to open the batting for South Africa #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S

— Kgomotso van Suid Afrika (@KgomotsoKuts) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

182/8, they are now 226-9. I really HATE how the Proteas take their foot off the jugular to the tail enders. EVERY SINGLE TIME! #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S

— The LeftBacks  (@LeftBacks) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

The fact that fans in PE have made Sonny Bill masks for Warner makes me fucking Proudly South African today. Fuck yes boys! #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S

— The Fucking News (@SAFuckingNews) M<!---->a<!---->r<!---->c<!---->h<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

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