Twitter Reactions: Nathan Lyon shines as Australia rule the roost

Australia has put themselves in the driver’s seat after the end of the 3rd day’s play in the 3rd and the final Test against South Africa at Adelaide.

Beginning the day at 307/6, Australia began on a shaky note, losing the centurion Usman Khwaja early in the day. The southpaw was trapped in front by Philander at the score of 145. Starc who was batting overnight chipped in with a useful half-century to propel the Australian score to 383 in their 1st innings, 124 runs ahead of the Proteas total. Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada were the most successful bowlers for the visitors bagging three wickets each.

South Africa got off to a worst possible start, losing Dean Elgar in the very first over of the innings caught by Steve Smith in the slip cordon but the duo of Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla were not ready to surrender the upper hand to Australia. Amla played some beautiful shots in his innings of 45 decorated with 6 fours and a solitary six. The prolific run-getter was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood while attempting a drive of a fuller length delivery and was caught by Matthew Wade behind the stumps.

After a 49 partnership from Duminy and Cook, the stylish left-hander was castled by off-spinner Nathan Lyon as there was a mini-collapse from the Proteas. From 131/2, the visitors slipped to 194/6 by the end of the day’s play, losing du Plessis, Bavuma and Abbott in the process. Nathan Lyon was the chief destructor for the hosts finishing the day with figures of 3/48, ably supported by Mitchell Starc who chipped in with 2/71.

With only 70 runs ahead, Australia would look to wrap up the South African innings pretty quickly on the 4th day morning and hope to chase down the total set by the visitors. If Australia does manage to win the Test, it will be their first Test win after suffering five crushing defeats on a trot.

Twitteratti was quite active throughout the day and certain tweets described the day’s play in the best possible manner.

Another brilliant crowd of 35,897 at the @TheAdelaideOval for Day 3 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/y2wX7xa6go

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 26, 2016

Pretty good chat from Matty Wade, but @KP24's zinger is even better! #AUSvSA https://t.co/H3OiDAaiRj

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 26, 2016

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/802470167120777217

Starc has taken 20 wickets in the first over of an innings in all international cricket since Jan 2015. #Record #Stat #ausvsa

— Sarath Chandran (@ImSarathC) November 26, 2016

Kettleborough nonchalantly tosses the ball to himself while he waits for the third umpire to confirm he is, yet again, correct. #AUSvSA

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) November 26, 2016

Josh Hazlewood to Hashim Amla this series:

5 inngs
29 runs
52 balls
5 dismissals – the most anyone has dismissed Amla in a series#ausvsa

— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) November 26, 2016

Hashim Amla's last ten Tests away from home dating back to August 2014: 233 runs at 16.64. Highest score of 47. #AUSvSA

— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) November 26, 2016

Time to bring David Warner into the attack @ShaneWarne @wwos? #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/5oX0RhucN2

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 26, 2016

I think that was missing leg! Do #RSA not have any reviews left? Either way it's about time Australia turned up to play! #AUSvSA #AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/cGMdAPqsNM

— Matthew James #YNWA (@MatthewJamesAU) November 26, 2016

5 – Number of times Hazlewood has dismissed Amla in this series. (Most by any bowler in a series) #ausvsa

— Sarath Chandran (@ImSarathC) November 26, 2016

@plalor Very poor by Bavuma reviewing. Knew he smashed it but hoped it wouldn't show up on review. That's up there with Broad 4 me. #ausvsa

— Patrick Evans (@pat_evo) November 26, 2016

CATCH! Peter Handscomb's brilliant Test debut continues #AUSvSA https://t.co/gGD6hHLaRz

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 26, 2016

Why Faf DuPlesis declared in first inning? Confused! This test match is out of their hand now. Good come back by Australian team. #ausvsa

— Srimaya Rath (@srimaya_rath) November 26, 2016

And that's the Australian team we knew so far.They are totally dominating #proteas in this test. ??Vs?? #ausvsa #DayNightTest #AdelaideOval

— R A M A N N I M J E (@RamanNimje1) November 26, 2016

Aussies super excited rightfully, so but bear in mind 2 frontline batsmen at the crease. 'Don't count your chickens…' #ausvsa

— Thato Mamathuba (@ThatoMamathuba) November 26, 2016

Cook, de Kock and Philander need to contribute around 150 runs from hereon if the Proteas want to win the match… #AUSvSA

— Keba Mothoagae (@Keba_MC) November 26, 2016

Another fantastic day of test cricket. Nathan Lyon is back with a vengeance, what a great spell late in the day. #ausvsa

— Bryce Parker (@bryce_parker26) November 26, 2016

Would love it if Cook and De Kock could add another 120 to the total tomorrow #ausvsa Still, nice of Australia to finally turn up ??#proteas

— Hugh Freese (@HughFreese) November 26, 2016

We're gonna have to tell the guys that it's now a T20 game – quick runs and quality defending is gonna be key. ? #ProteaFire #AUSvSA

— motso makgabutlane? (@Motso_Bruuh) November 26, 2016