Twitter Reactions: WACA Test proves to be a cliffhanger on day 2

When David Warner and Shaun Marsh walked out to resume the proceedings for Australia on day 2 having completely dominated things in the previous evening it looked quite convenient for the Aussies to take a big lead in the first innings given that they had over 100 runs on the board and the way Warner was batting looked quite ominous for the opposition.

They quickly raced off to 150 with Warner marching his way to the 17th Test hundred but just then Dale Steyn produced a wicket-taking delivery as it took the outside edge of Warner’s bat and landed in the safe pair of Hashim Amla at slips. He was out for 97 and Australia lost their first wicket for 158.

If this wicket was considered a blow, it was just the tip of the iceberg that was visible at that moment. What followed was a dismal batting show by the Aussies as no incoming batsman showed enough application and intention to last at the crease. South Africa even without the services of their spearhead Steyn who suffered a shoulder injury that has put him out of contention for the remainder of the series were able to wrack up 10 wickets while the batting team added only 89 runs to the total.

Vernon Philander was the stand out bowler for the Proteas and so was debutant Keshav Maharaj. While the right-arm pacer struck down four Aussies with his swing the left-arm spinner scalped three to mark a successful debut. Australia were bowled out for 244 and managed to take a 2-run lead.

South Africa in their second inning didn’t have the best of the starts either as Stephen Cook once again fell early, this time to Peter Siddle. Josh Hazlewood who had removed Hashim Amla in the first inning for a duck let him score just one run this time before sending him back to the pavilion. At stumps, the Proteas had 104 runs and a lead of 102 on the board for the loss of two wickets.

Day 3 will certainly be the best day of this Test match and probably the decider as well.

Here is how Twitter reacted during the course of the day’s play:

Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said pre-game Mitch Marsh needed a century … sadly he fell 100 runs short #AUSvSA

— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) November 4, 2016

https://twitter.com/deeputalks/status/794474379606257664

HOWSTAT:

>Amla has played 50 Tests since June 2010 without being dismissed for single digit scores in both innings of a Test match#AUSvSA

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 4, 2016

Test Batting Average
AB de Villiers: 50.46
Hashim Amla : 50.46
Quinton de Kock : 50.46#AUSvSA

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) November 4, 2016

The last time 4 ducks for Australia at home – also at Perth vs Pak in Nov 1999
Aus then made 451 and won by inns/20 runs#AusvSA

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 4, 2016

10 wkt collapses in Tests
Zim 164/0 to 228 v WI Bulawayo 2001
Zim 153/0 to 236 v SL Galle 2002
Aus 158/0 to 244 today#AusvSA

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 4, 2016

2nd duck by an Australian captain v South Africa at the WACA after RT Ponting (c de Villiers b Ntini) in December 2008 #AusvSA

— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) November 4, 2016

Today is the 3rd time Amla registered scores of 0 & 1 in a Test!

1 & 0 vs Eng, 2004
1 & 0 vs Ind, 2006
0 & 1 vs Aus, TODAY(Perth)#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/Bhj2DIAX88

— Cricket Chitchat (@CricChitchat) November 4, 2016

Smith's 4th duck in 82 Test innings – previously v Pakistan (lbw Zulfiqar Babar) at Abu Dhabi in November 2014 #AusvSA

— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) November 4, 2016

What do the Aussie batsmen want? Can't handle spin. Useless against pace. Hoping someone will bring back the underarm? Disgraceful. #ausvsa

— Blash (@Blash1975) November 4, 2016

.@TomMoodyCricket: Ridiculous really. Nobody thought this would be the situation at the end of day two. #AusVSA

— 6PR SportsToday (@6PRSportsToday) November 4, 2016

Warner said anything in this wicket is chasable
Dear SouthAfricans please score another 300+#ausvsa

— Champion (@TanabZindagi) November 4, 2016

Steyn unlikely to bat in the second innings and will fly home after the conclusion of the first #AUSvSA Test

— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) November 4, 2016

Wonder what Jackson Bird was thinking watching Aus collapse this arvo. Provably missed it while in the nets practicing his batting. #AUSvSA

— Phillip Guthrie (@philg112) November 4, 2016

Amla has 9 ducks in his 95-match Test career, luckily for him he never registered a pair #AUSvSA

— Cricket Chitchat (@CricChitchat) November 4, 2016

SA now without devilliers and steyn for series – not many excuses if we lose to a team that depleted. #AusvSA

— ron reed (@reedrw) November 4, 2016

2 top teams playing like champions. What a test match we have in our hands. With #IndvsEng coming up, this is one heck of a season#ausvsa

— Nitin Srivatsa (@Nitin_Srivatsa) November 4, 2016

Reckon Morkel might also get a chance in Hobart, Mark. @wwos #AusVSA

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) November 4, 2016

Great day for South Africa at the office. They showed character, which is very important in high profile battles. #AusvSA

— Faisal Caesar (@faisalyorker) November 4, 2016

Mark Nicholas' wrinkles look magnificent in HD #AusvSA

— Ian Chappelli (@Not_Chappelli) November 4, 2016

When the selectors say you need to tonne up but you miss a straight one for a duck. #ausvsa pic.twitter.com/g2XZnfkxyT

— rosy town (@rosyTownRants) November 4, 2016

Lead of 102 that a very good come back for our boys tomorrow is another day to just bat bat bat and bat. #ausvsa

— simphiwe ?? (@simphiwemathwes) November 4, 2016