The Test match at Kingsmead, Durban, will be remembered as a competitive game equally matched by two heavyweights of red-ball game. But it was the Australian team which kept their glorious record at Kingsmead intact with their 118 run win.
Vistors, Australia, were ahead of the game right from the outset as they posted an above par 351 in the first inning. The match was lost by the South Africans in the first inning itself.
They were bundled out before they could only post a dismal total of 162. Mitchell Starc announced himself in the Test match with his 5-wicket haul.
However, South Africa fought back after conceding a massive lead by bowling the Australians on 227. Keshav Maharaj came up with spirited performance, ably supported by the seamers.
That said, the action in the match started during the fourth day of the match. South Africa, chasing an improbable total of 417, lost the cream of their batting cheaply.
The like of Elgar, Amla, De Villiers and Du Plessis were back in the pavilion with the score at 49. The send-off to AB was undoubtedly the talking point of the match.
Following the early dismissals, the young brigade of the South African line-up stood up to the occasion. With their team in peril, Markram, de Bruyn and De Kock stitched counter-attacking innings which gave them an outside chance to chase down the total.
The Tea interval saw David Warner and Quinton de Kock engage in a verbal duel. Warner and fellow Australians received a substantial amount of flak for their on-and-off field conduct.
Let us look at how Twitter reacted to the Australian win
https://twitter.com/BuzzConway_/status/970447134662131712
Hey @davidwarner31 Mate You Remember This? Why Did You Do It???? No Proteas Player Came To Celebrate In Your Face. You Are Such A Disgrace. #ProteaFire #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/KxjUdnVg4n
— Bernard (@_Bernard11) March 4, 2018
Ugly scenes in Durban. Can only assume something very personal has been throw at @davidwarner31 for this type of reaction. Not a good look all round. #SAvAUS
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 5, 2018
Hazlewood gets de Kock lbw and Aust win by 118 runs, pending a review, which shows the ball is hitting. Now for all the fallout from yesterday! #SAvAUS
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 5, 2018
Highest 4th inngs scores in losing causes:
222 N Astle v Eng, 2002
192 K Sangakkara v Aus, 2007
176 B Congdon v Eng, 1973
174 D Randall v Aus, 1977
143 A MARKRAM v Aus, 2018 – highest among opening batsman#SAvAUS— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/justinfraenkel/status/970239430341611521
https://twitter.com/Nimbus_Firebolt/status/970265918071750657
https://twitter.com/notdekock/status/970382792969326596
https://twitter.com/dustinroberts15/status/970248219891466240
Dear #Proteas
On behalf of all Australian cricket fans, I'd like to apologise for David Warner.
We only put up with him because he gets runs.
Sincerely
Australia#SAvAUS— Aussie Camel (@aussiecamel9745) March 5, 2018
Just saw replay of A. B. De Villers run out and as an Aussie supporter I am ashamed at the way our potential new test captain @davidwarner31 carried on. Not to mention Nathan Lyon dropping the ball on him when he’s on the ground @CricketAus #grub #neverchange #SAvAus
— Keith Trenerry (@Dashing_keith) March 4, 2018
It does always seem to be David Warner who’s involved in these things. Edifying stuff in the Kingsmead corridor.
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) March 5, 2018
There is a theme developing with David Warner and the players he gets into scuffles with . . . first Root and now De Kock.
— Damian Tardio (@damiantardio) March 5, 2018
Whateley: "My understanding is consistent with multiple reports. David Warner was responding to what he took to be derogatory comments towards his wife Candice."
— Time On (@TimeOnSEN) March 5, 2018
Much like a barking dog is scariest behind a fence, it would be interesting to see what David Warner would do without his team mates 'holding him back'.
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) March 5, 2018
Australia's last five Test match wins:
Beat England by 10 wickets
Beat England by 120 runs
Beat England by an innings and 41 runs
Beat England by an innings and 23 runs
Beat South Africa by 118 runs???#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/HbXlR4pbMQ
— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) March 5, 2018
– Australia has now won three consecutive Tests at Durban for the first time since 1935-50
– First time since 2009 that Australia has won consecutive Tests against South Africa
– First time since 2009 that South Africa has lost consecutive Tests on home soil#SAvAUS
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) March 5, 2018
EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE REVEALED from Kingsmead of Mitchell Starc holding David Warner back. pic.twitter.com/wI7dDJjUqa
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) March 5, 2018
Warner can give but can't receive. #SAvAUS #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/6MV4yXHjEm
— Lady Charlotte (@LadyCharlotte01) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/JBaz2006/status/970577254739673088
And its not about India who are top 3 in the sport but being an Indian captained by Kohli who always speaks shit with his mouth be it winning or losing and then commenting on other players action. Thats nonsense #savaus https://t.co/rE5lDhDA8J
— Umair (@imumair10) March 5, 2018
Lyon dropping the ball on the South African i can forgive. Once. Warner is like your neighbours Chihuahua who yaps and barks and grunts. Just STFU please #SAvAUS
— Mr Ives (@real_MrIves) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/monicas004/status/970576548150566912
@CricketAus @FOXCricketLive #SAvAUS What’s with SA not even coming onto the field to shake hands? #basicetiquette
— David Vincent (@davidvincent72) March 5, 2018
From a Historical Win to Disastrous Loss match ended..and the Difference is Run-out of AB DEVILLIERS ?#Proteas lost the 1st test by 118 runs n handed 1-0 lead to @CAComms
1st Innings Fall costs @OfficialCSA complete Match#SAvAUS #ProteaFire— Chandu ☮ (@chandu_212) March 5, 2018
Also Read:
Cricket South Africa says David Warner’s actions ‘Not in the Spirit of the Game’