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Establishing a massive 189-run first innings lead, Australia are well on their way to claiming a resounding victory in the first test against South Africa. Join The Roar for live scores from 7pm (AEDT).
On a slower than expected pitch in Durban, neither Australia or South Africa gained the upper hand after four even sessions to start the first test.
Chasing 352 for a first innings lead, the Proteas would’ve fancied their chances of equalling or even exceeding Australia’s total on a flat track.
Picking an extra batsman to combat the visitors formidable bowling unit, South Africa seemed well prepared to utilise the best batting conditions of the test.
What followed was a demolition job led by Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
Thrown the ball in just the 8th over after Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram made a solid start to the innings, Nathan Lyon struck with just his second delivery in South Africa.
Completing a brilliant diving catch of a leading edge from Elgar, Lyon had the home side in a spin, striking for a second time in the over as star batsman Hashim Amla departed for a duck, after meekly prodding to Cameron Bancroft at short leg.
With spin creating an opening into the Proteas batting line-up, the left arm pace of Mitchell Starc ripped it wide open.
Bowling around the wicket and often getting the ball to leave the right-handers, Starc’s lethal combination of pace, swing and accuracy was far too much to handle for South Africa, finishing with figures of 5-34.
Only AB de Villiers seemed untroubled by the bowling, posting an unbeaten 71.
Often appearing like he was batting on a different pitch to his teammates, de Villiers alone looked capable of pushing South Africa to a competitive total.
Conceding a lead of 189 at the end of Day 2, such a disparity between the two sides seemed unlikely when Australia lost 2-26 in the first 17 overs of the morning session.
Resuming their innings at 5-225, the visitors found it hard to rotate the strike initially, with Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj keeping things tight.
A 25-ball 35 from Mitchell Starc sparked Australia into action and despite a rash shot that saw him fall just four runs shy of his third test century, a brilliant innings from Mitchell Marsh led the visitors past 350.
Two terrific sessions have seen Australia take a stranglehold of the first test, and their grip is only likely to tighten as the teams enter Day 3.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Day 3 from 7pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
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