David Warner’s spectacular return to form, scoring a memorable 200 in his 100th Test, gave Australia complete control in the second Test against South Africa.
Leading the three-match series one-nil, Australia had resumed Day II at 45/1 in sunny conditions in reply to South Africa’s lacklustre first-innings total of 189. By stumps, Australia were 386/3, an overall lead of 197, with Alex Carey not out on 9 and Travis Head unbeaten on 48.
But despite all their success on the day, Australia were worried with two of their pacers — Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green — nursing finger injuries ahead of the Proteas’ second innings.
“It was energy-sapping. It was a tough day in terms of the heat. It was a pretty strange finish to the day. Boys were cramping left, right and centre,” Steve Smith said at the end of the day’s play.
It was a difficult day for South Africa in more ways than one. Pacer Anrich Nortje, who ended the Warner-Smith partnership, narrowly escaped serious injury when an overhead “Spidercam” camera whizzed past and collided with his left shoulder and elbow, knocking him to the turf in a bizarre incident.
“I didn’t know what hit me,” Nortje said. “I don’t think it should be travelling at head height.”