SA vs AUS, 1st Test: Twitter Reacts As Australia Strengthens Grip On First Test

Australia have taken firm command of the proceedings in the first Test against South Africa after bowling out the hosts for just 162. Before that, the tourists had scored 351 and thus now holds a big 189-run lead.

South Africa began their essay in a wobbly fashion. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon rocked the Proteas by picking up two big wickets in his opening over. The offie first had Dean Elgar caught and bowled through a leading edge before getting Hashim Amla to turn a catch to short leg to leave the hosts reeling at 27 for 2.

Aiden Markram and AB de Villiers then stopped the rot for a while. However, the duo failed to lay the foundation for a good total. Pat Cummins dismissed Markram to end the 28-run stand. From thereon, AB de Villiers watched his teammates falling like a pack of cards as he waged a lone battle. The Proteas kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 162. De Villiers remained remained stranded on one end, remaining not out on 71. Starc starred with the ball for the tourists, picking up 5 for 34.

Earlier in the day, Mitchell Marsh’s 96 and some useful runs from the lower order helped Australia post a challenging 351. Kagiso Rabada had given the hosts the first breakthrough of the morning when he dismissed Tim Paine with the second new ball. The dismissal ended the 60-run stand between Paine and Marsh for the sixth wicket.

Keshav Maharaj then dismissed Pat Cummins (3) cheaply before the other tail-enders frustrated the hosts. Mitchell Starc hit a handful of boundaries including two sixes to push Australia to 300. On the other hand, Marsh held firm from one end, helping his side progress towards a good score.

Marsh and Starc added a quick 49-run stand as Australia looked to end the first session on a high. But the hopes were dashed at the stroke of lunch when Keshav Maharaj accounted for Starc in the last over before the break. After the break, Marsh took the matters in his hand and played some big shots to help his side get past 350.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:

Tremendous from @mstarc56 lethal at his pace. @ABdeVilliers17 stranded. One winner from here and it’s Aus. @stevesmith49 @davidwarner31

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 2, 2018

SA looking very happy and comfortable in the dressing room, as if they are in the ascendancy. Meanwhile they trail by 201 runs! Rubbish! #SAvAUS

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 2, 2018

DONE AND DUSTED SOUTH AFRICA. BLOWN AWAY FOR 162.

TOO GOOD FROM AUSTRALIA.

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) March 2, 2018

I’ll happily take a golden duck tomorrow if I can look like AB de Villiers doing it.* Just so pure.

*Will likely have to settle for a golden duck looking like me.

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) March 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/MickSnowden/status/969555546863894528

My heart just sunk a little when Haysman said that this could be AB de Villiers' last Test series as he walked out to bat. #SAvAUS

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) March 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/TenniceFan/status/969587194439507968

https://twitter.com/swing_seam/status/969568712318599169

Damn. AB fighting on his own. Markram was the only other one who looked good. #SAvAUS

— Zubeda Ismail (@zubedaismail) March 2, 2018

Beautiful exhibition of reverse swing from Australia. If this goes on, South Africa will be done and dusted soon in the Test match.

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) March 2, 2018

Keshav Maharaj clearly the best SLA bowler after Herath to me. #SAvAUS

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/ThatoMamathuba/status/969565136502624257