Twitter Reactions: Bavuma and bowlers set the game up for South Africa

The Proteas are in the driving seat of the Test and look certain to make it 3-1.

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury

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Temba Bavuma
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Temba Bavuma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

South Africa dominated for the chunk of the opening day courtesy Aiden Markram’s master-class. However, a couple of late strikes by Patrick Cummins and Chadd Sayers ended the day on a positive note for Australia. Nevertheless, the Proteas dished out some superlative cricket with both bat and ball and are currently in the ascendancy.

Quinton de Kock was the overnight batsman along with Temba Bavuma, and both churned out runs with sheer ease. Nathan Lyon gave the Aussies their first breakthrough with the wicket of de Kock. However, South Africa’s tail wagged, much to the agony of Tim Paine’s men. Vernon Philander showed promise during his short stint. Nevertheless, he became Nathan Lyon’s third victim.

Meanwhile, Bavuma notched his tenth half-century in Test cricket. Thereafter, Keshav Maharaj joined Bavuma and both stitched together a partnership of 76 runs as South Africa threatened to breach the 500-run mark. On the other hand, Bavuma was nearing his second Test century. However, he remained stranded for 95 runs as Cummins nipped Maharaj and Morne Morkel in consecutive balls.

Australia stutter despite Khawaja’s brilliance  

After an impressive show with the willow, the South African bowlers were all over Australia’s batsmen. Joe Burns was one of the replacements of the trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. However, he couldn’t survive the heat and succumbed to an out-swinger by Kagiso Rabada. Matt Renshaw strained throughout his knock and became Vernon Philander’s first victim.

To add to Australia’s woes, Peter Handscomb was castled by Philander in the same over. Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja looked determined to weather the storm and brought up his 12th Test half-century. However, just when it was perceived that he had the measure of the Proteas bowling, Philander got rid of him to further dent Australia’s chances of a comeback.

Shaun Marsh unleashed his defensive technique to the best of his ability, however, he ran out of steam as Keshav Maharaj found his outside edge. Prior to that, Mitchell Marsh became Morne Morkel’s first victim courtesy a rash stroke after which the ball cannoned into the stumps of his inside edge. Tim Paine and Patrick Cummins, somehow, survived the final burst and saw off the remaining overs.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to South Africa’s dominance over the Aussies:

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