Twitter Reactions: Starc's five-for rattles Proteas despite ABD's fighting knock

The problems for team South Africa continued to pile up on the second day of the first Test against the touring Australian team. The Proteas had managed to claw back in to the game to balance the equation by the end of the first day. However, they failed to capitalize on the late momentum they got towards the end of day one. On the second day, the Australian batters put on a very stiff resistance to ensure a big total on the board.

Despite Keshav Maharaj’s five-for for the hosts, the visitors crossed the 350 run mark in their first innings. A lot was expected from the South Africa batsmen after the lackluster bowling show. But, much to the disappointment of their fans, no batsmen showed fighting spirit, save AB de Villiers. AB managed to top score for the hosts on the day with a fighting fifty. The team lost more than half their side by the end of the day’s play.

Earlier in the day, Tim Paine and Mitch Marsh resumed the proceedings for Australia. Kagiso Rabada got rid of Paine on 25. Capitalizing on the inroad, Maharaj accounted for the quick dismissal of Pat Cummins (3). Meanwhile, Mitch Marsh reached his fifty and found an ideal partner in Mitch Starc.

They added a crucial 49 runs for the 7th wicket. The partnership was heavily dominated by Starc who hit a quick 25-ball 35. After his dismissal, the remaining wickets fell in quick succession. Mitch Marsh fell short of a well deserved century as he perished after scoring 96. Australia finished with 351 in their first innings. Maharaj finished with figures of 5/23 in his spell.

There was nothing much to talk about in the South African innings. Hashim Amla’s poor run in the format continued as he was sent packing on a duck by Nathan Lyon, who earlier accounted for the dismissal of Dean Elgar (7) in the very same over. Aiden Markram (32) and Quinton de Kock (20) showed brief resistance as wickets continued to tumble. AB de Villiers held the fort for the hosts with a gutsy unbeaten 71 as Proteas bundled out for a mere 162. Mitch Starc returned with figures of 5/34.

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

Once again @ABdeVilliers17 is showing why he is in a different league…..

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 2, 2018

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 AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) March 2, 2018

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

AB de Villiers is the Roger Federer of cricket. An absolute pleasure to watch, even when he’s beating your team. The fact he seems like a prefect human being also helps the comparison. #SAvAUS

— Mick Snowden (@MickSnowden) March 2, 2018

For the umpteenth time, AB de Villiers making it look like he's batting on a different pitch against a different attack.

— Nitin Sundar (@knittins) March 2, 2018

What a fine bowling display by Mitchell Starc 10.4-5-34-5. Pinpoint bowling with deadly swing & SA's batsmen no match. Apart from AB de Villiers, who deserved a hundred as much as anyone can, but was left stranded on 71 not out.

— Ken Borland (@KenBorland) March 2, 2018

Pathetic batting from SA. AB De Villiers left stranded on 71* Not even a single player could stick around with him.

— George AB Addict (@VijayIsMyLife) March 2, 2018

AB de Villiers' situation reminds me of Dean Elgar's in 3rd test against India.
Boo carried his bat till the end…fighting hard but no one could stay longer to help him with the match. #Heartbreaking #SAvAUS #Proteas

— Cricket Babe (@LadyCharlotte01) March 2, 2018

AB De villiers is fighting a lone battle. South Africans are really nalayakar than nalayaks?

— one tip one hand_ (@OneTipOneHand_) March 2, 2018

And he remained there, at non strikers end without getting a well deserved ton. You gotta feel sad for @ABdeVilliers17. #SAvAUS

— Modestly Egoistic (@MomsDude) March 2, 2018

Stupidity from @OfficialCSA & @ABdeVilliers17 #SAvAUS

50.1 – ABD takes Single (STUPIDITY-1)
50.2 – dot
50.3 – Josh gets Maharaj OUT
50.4 – Dot
50.5 – Dot
50.6 – RABADA takes 3 (STUPIDITY-2)

51.1 – dot
51.2 – Starc gets Rabada
51.3 – dot
51.4 – Starc gets Morkel

— Navin ?? (@Mister_Awesomee) March 2, 2018

AB de Villiers is playing a lone battle as half of the South African team is back in the pavilion. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/eOQ4UjJasr

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 2, 2018

It's like watching Wasim Akram – reverse-swing at over 140kph by the excellent Mitchell Starc #SAvAUS #Cricket pic.twitter.com/hLu62PIHCC

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) March 2, 2018

Aussie Test pacers after 41 Tests….
209 – D Lillee
185 – G McGrath
182 – G McKenzie
177 – C McDermott
177 – M Johnson
175* – Mitchell Starc
171 – A Davidson
170 – T Alderman#SAvAus

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 2, 2018

Mitchell Starc's spell has been like Waqar Younis in his prime, minus the ball-tampering!

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) March 2, 2018

Mitchell Starc coming through pic.twitter.com/yWYyxXNtPa

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) March 2, 2018

Since the start of 2017, when Mitchell Starc goes around the wicket to the right-hander, he averages 15.33. #SAvAUS

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) March 2, 2018

Mitchell Starc is lethal, but Starc with reverse swing is a whole new level. Great cameo with the bat and Five wickets with the ball. Brilliant. #SAvAUS

— Zubeda Ismail (@zubedaismail) March 2, 2018

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