Cricket – Australia v South Africa – First Test cricket match – WACA Ground, Perth, Australia – 5/11/16.
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Temba Bavuma went for just eight to give the Baggy Greens some hope while skipper Faf du Plessis made 32 and, with Quinton de Kock unbeaten on 16 and Vernon Philander 23 not out, the tourists lead by 388 runs with four wickets in hand.
Despite the loss of Steyn, Warner believes South Africa remains a formidable opponent in series.
Speaking after the end of the day’s play, Duminy, who shared a 250-run stand with Dean Elgar, who also notched up his fifth Test century, said the key was to focus on every ball.
But batting time has not been Australia’s strong suit in recent years.
Inept batting swung momentum the Proteas’ way on day two but Australia could easily be chasing a far lower target if they held some catches on days three and four. “Looking back to 2008, chasing 414 here was probably one of the highlights of my career, and for most guys”, he said. “The balls that have misbehaved have been wide”. “This wicket isn’t your traditional sort of Waca wicket – it’s been pretty slow”.
“It is deflating to be in the position we are in, we’re in a hard place”, he said. Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock in Adelaide had a 341-run partnership in the 1963-64 series.
South Africa celebrating the wicket of Steven Smith.
Duminy, the dominant partner in the stand, was the first to reach his ton, smashing 17 boundaries in the process. Philander had been put down on 29 when he top-edged a hook off Mitchell Starc and at fine leg Josh Hazlewood ran around but parried the ball over for six, seemingly anxious about stepping over the boundary.
It was Duminy’s first hundred in 19 innings since his century against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2014.
Philander had batted for just under three hours, with a six and 10 fours off 132 balls.
The important point about the stand was that it set the stage for the Proteas to win at least five sessions in a row and to drain most of the energy from the Australian attack.
“There’s always pressure when you’re coaching your country or playing for the country, that’s why the guys have got to where they’ve got to”. I was making him understand how important Test cricket is for a player.
Australia are perhaps fortunate that there is such a short gap between tests given the navel-gazing that is likely to follow their first defeat in the opening test of a home Summer for 28 years.
Duminy compounded Australia’s frustration by lofting Lyon over long-off for six two balls later.
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Dimunitive batsman Temba Bavuma, who produced one of the great run-outs on the fourth day to dismiss David Warner, the first Australian wicket, was brought on to bowl and nearly struck with his first ball in Test cricket.
