Twitter Reactions: Usman Khawaja and David Warner save Australia of their blushes

Usman Khawaja and David Warner stitched an impressive 79-run stand as the Australians were saved from their blushes against the South Africans at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. While this was only a part of the upheaval of the Australians, it seemed clear that the South Africans were on top, to say the least.

The day began with the South African batting duo of Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock adding to the misery of the Australians. While Bavuma batted with terrific grit and fantastic acumen, it was the impressive de Kock who was sore for the Australian bowlers.

The 23-year old wicket keeper-batsmen exhibited some phenomenal batting as he went ahead to become the only player thus far in the Test match to score a ton. His 104 runs included 17 boundaries while the 74 runs from Bavuma saw him net just 8 boundaries to his name.

Moreover, it was clear that Bavuma’s grittiness was paving way for Australian frustration as he scored 74 runs in 204 deliveries. It took a massive herculean effort from Josh Hazlewood as the latter ensured that the South Africans were kept on a rather tight leash. His figures of 6/89 were something impressive as he was made to bowl in excess of 30 overs on the day.

Also read – AUS v SA, 2nd Test, Day 3 Review: South Africa on top despite Khawaja’s efforts

However, it was David Warner and Usman Khawaja who came to the rescue as they smashed the runs required and got the Aussies within 120 runs of closing in on South Africa’s early lead.

The Aussies with a lot of work still to do to get back into this game but a much improved performance today. @JoshHazlewood38 brilliant

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 14, 2016

Q de Kock becomes the youngest wk (23y 331d) to score a century in a Test in Aus. Prev. record: M Wade (25y 8d v SL in 2013).#AUSvRSA

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 14, 2016

Seriously?! #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/JBAsOXxtSB

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 14, 2016

Often there comes a player who reminds of a past gr8.
Quinton De Kock jst reminds of @gilly381 .
His last5Test inngs 82 50 84 64 104#AUSvSA

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 14, 2016

You're kidding?! Warner is gone as the ball hits his hip and bounces on the stumps. Unbelievable. Out for 45. Australia 2-79 #AUSvSA

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 14, 2016

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/798014257606500353

Australia survive the first over. Not Burns, of course, but, y'know, the team as a whole. #AUSvSA

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) November 14, 2016

Quinton de Kock's 2016: six Tests, 560 runs at 80.00. Two centuries and four fifties. #future #AUSvSA

— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) November 14, 2016

Quinton de Kock (Tests in 2016)

Runs – 500+
Average – 85+
Strike rate – 83+

de Kock's last 5 Test innings
82
50
84
64
100* #AUSvSA

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 14, 2016

The future of South Africa's Test batting have got half centuries in Hobart Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock stretching the lead #AUSvSA

— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) November 13, 2016

https://twitter.com/DemP_9/status/798069069760995328

Australia's battle with Philander should remind them of the value of crease occupation: three four-balls in his last 12 deliveries. #AusvSA

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) November 14, 2016

remember how we dropped Usman Khawaja after like a couple of bad innings only a month or so ago? remember that happened? #ausvsa

— Shannon Grassy Noll (@anguslivingston) November 14, 2016

Exceptional batting from Usman Khawaja today. Patience and guile. He showed he can bat in tough conditions, not just when it's easy. #ausvsa

— Adam White (@White_Adam) November 14, 2016