Twitter Reactions: Vernon Philander wreaks havoc as South Africa crush Australia by 492 runs

South Africa have thrashed Australia by a huge 512 runs in the fourth and final Test match and have won the series by 3-1. It was a fitting by farewell for Morne Morkel who was playing the last match of his international career. Though it was Vernon Philander who wreaked havoc in the Aussie camp who collapsed like a pack of cards. However, the writing was on the wall for them on the fourth day itself and it was only a matter of time when they were going to concede the series.

The overnight duo of Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb strode out to the middle in the morning with an aim to draw the game amidst the chances of rain later in the day. But Philander crushed all their dreams by scalping the former off the very first ball of the day. In the same over, Mitchell Marsh edged one behind only to put his team in more trouble.

Philander continues to torment the batsmen

There was no respite for the visitors as Peter Handscomb played on the ball onto his stumps on 24 even as the skipper Tim Paine also couldn’t put up a fighting show for his team. Philander completed his five-wicket haul by disturbing the furniture of Pat Cummins and then went on to bag the wicket of Chadd Sayers off the very next delivery as well.

Though Josh Hazlewood denied him the hat-trick as it would’ve been only fitting for Morne Morkel to take the final wicket of the innings to seal the series victory for his South Africa. But it was not to be as Nathan Lyon was run-out. The sparse crowd erupted as soon as the wicket was fallen as they also realised that it was the last time they were watching Morkel for the last time on the field. There were some emotions on display in the middle as Twitterati bid adieu to the great cricketer who was always there for his team.

Australia lost their last 7 wickets after adding only 31 runs as Twitter also trolled them hilariously. Also, this Test match marks the end of Darren Lehmann’s tenure as the head coach of the Australian team.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted:

First time that Australia has gone through a series of at least 4 Tests without scoring a century and without a century partnership since 1970; which coincidentally was Australia’s last Test series loss in South Africa #SAvAUS

— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) April 3, 2018

No individual century for Australia in a Test series: (4 and more matches)

vs ENG in ENG, 1956 (HS: 97)
vs SA in SA, 1970 (HS: 87)
vs SA in SA, 2018 (HS: 96)#SAvAUS

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 3, 2018

Biggest Test victory margins by runs:
675 Eng beat Aus Brisbane 1928/29
562 Aus beat Eng Oval 1934
530 Aus beat SA Melbourne 1911
492 SA beat Aus Johannesburg 2018
491 Aus beat Pak Perth 2004

— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) April 3, 2018

It has been a fairytale finish for @mornemorkel65.. what a player, friend, ambassador, role model and you can be so proud of yourself for an outstanding career.! Privileged to have played alongside you. #legend

— David Miller (@DavidMillerSA12) April 3, 2018

South Africa’s first Test series win against Australia at home since 1970

First time since 1970 that South Africa has won three consecutive Tests against Australia

South Africa’s first Test win against Australia at Johannesburg since 1994 #SAvAUS

— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) April 3, 2018

Last day of work here in South Africa & what a disappointing one it was too as Australia’s… https://t.co/bxsS0C7MW1

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) April 3, 2018

Australian cricket has been a pleasure to watch over the last few weeks!

Three players banned!
Losing by 322 runs (despite cheating)
Losing by 493 runs! #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/HwT0YpI8cC

— Global Cricketer (@GlobalCricketer) April 3, 2018

I can't think of a worse performance from an Australian team since I watched my first Test in 1977. I know it's been a difficult week but ….. no words #RSAvAUS

— Brett Graham (@worldofBG) April 3, 2018

Congrats on an awesome international career big man @mornemorkel65! One of the great men! #Tall #SickOfYouGettingMeOut #Legend pic.twitter.com/DnElDkBX4r

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) April 3, 2018

AB de Villiers' had said this will be a series to remember after losing the 1st Test.

Thank you Morkel!#SAvAUS

— Covfefe Cricket (@Sayantantweets_) April 3, 2018

South Africa win by 492 runs..

A winning farewell for Morne Morkel.. Fourth Biggest win in the History of Test Cricket in terms of run margin, second biggest defeat for Australia #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/8Dz1TelPol

— Abhijeet (@TheYorkerBall) April 3, 2018

What an absolute ripper of a series.. been great to watch.!! #SAvsAUS

— David Miller (@DavidMillerSA12) April 3, 2018

Vernon Philander's morning spell: 8-3-12-6. All but finished Australia off. #SAvAUS

— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) April 3, 2018

Ashes rivals lose series on the same day ?

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) April 3, 2018

ALL OVER! South Africa run out 3-1 winners over Australia after Nathan Lyon is run out by Aiden Markram – the Proteas crush the Baggy Greens by 492 runs at Wanderers as Morne Morkel bows out from international cricket on a high. https://t.co/yFA0PYKbhn #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/VMkncJEGXg

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) April 3, 2018

Vernon Philander:

6/21 from 13 overs in the 4th innings
……1..2lb1……..1……nb.3.W..W.1.1…….W…..1……W.WW……4…4….1

6/12 from 8 overs on Day 5
W..W.1.1…….W…..1……W.WW……4…4….1#SAvAUS

— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) April 3, 2018

This is the first time South Africa won a test series at home v Australia since 1970

South Africa v Australia in??

1969-70 SA (4-0)
1993-94 Draw (1-1)
1996-97 AUS (2-1)
2001-02 AUS (2-1)
2005-06 AUS (3-0)
2008-09 AUS (2-1)
2011-12 Draw (1-1)
2013-14 AUS (2-1)
2017-18 SA (3-1) pic.twitter.com/HbbuCCQwvI

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) April 3, 2018

So Australia were rolled over in just under 90 mins by a bunch of old and decrepit bowlers…#SSCricket#SAvAUS

— Brendon Atwell (@Batty0810) April 3, 2018