Australia 307-6 at stumps on day two, a lead of 48
Another engrossing day of Test cricket ends with Australia holding the upper hand thanks to a sublime unbeaten 138 from Usman Khawaja. Sent in late on Thursday as a makeshift opener the elegant left hander will return to the crease on Saturday afternoon after spending the entire second day batting.
Partners came and went around him. Steve Smith had more than 59 in his locker but a regrettable run-out threatened to change the course of the game. It didn’t thanks to Peter Handscomb’s busy debut. His dismissal for 54 sparked a mini-collapse but the wickets of Nick Maddinson and Matthew Wade to the new ball under lights failed to mushroom into anything serious.
For South Africa, Kyle Abbott was the standout, deserving better than his 3/38 from 25 overs.
Captain Obvious here, but the first session tomorrow will set up the rest of the game. Quick wickets for South Africa will drag them back into contention but a couple of hours of Australian batting could see them extend their lead of 48 into match-winning territory.
Thanks for your company, we’ll see you then.
Updated
102nd over: Australia 307-6 (Khawaja 138, Starc 16)
Final over of the day, and it’s Abbott to bowl it. Khawaja’s had enough, he takes a single from the first ball and he’ll park himself at the non-striker’s end, reminding himself of his good day’s work.
Starc looks assured now against the pacemen, standing and delivering with a straight bat, playing in the V. And that’s stumps.
Groups of blokes who wear the same costumes together at the cricket are as funny as the flu. #ausvsa
— Glenn Peters (@nightwatchman) November 25, 2016
Posted as a public service announcement.
101st over: Australia 306-6 (Khawaja 137, Starc 16)
Shamsi returns to torment Starc, half-appealing for an LBW, then half-appealing for an LBW and a bat-pad chance that drops in front of short-leg. Starc continues to hold his end up though.
Sorry to labour the point. But is Faf still a mastermind for getting Khawaja in early?#AUSvSA #RealOpeners
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) November 25, 2016
100th over: Australia 305-6 (Khawaja 136, Starc 16)
Abbott around the wicket to Starc and the Australian number 8 does his job, seeing off another over.
*See over 99 (The Large Hadron Collider).
99th over: Australia 305-6 (Khawaja 136, Starc 16)
Shamsi returns to the attack late in the day to bowl his left-arm wrist spin to Starc with just four overs remaining in play. And Starc does not know which way the ball is turning! One rips off the pitch and into the hands of Amla at first slip, the wrong ‘un nips between bat and pad and misses the bails by a particle so small they’re searching for it in that big shiny tunnel in Geneva.
98th over: Australia 304-6 (Khawaja 135, Starc 16)
Kyle Abbott back on for his final dart with the tail at his mercy. 22 overs 3-35 so far in a terrific display. Immediately on the line and length, but Starc looks to be warming to his task and does well to rotate the strike with the implacable Khawaja.
97th over: Australia 303-6 (Khawaja 135, Starc 15)
More of the same from Philander, finding the middle of Khawaja’s blade, and the inch or so just outside the edge of Starc’s. Apart from the one that rockets from a Starc push through extra cover for a rare boundary and the team 300.
Five overs remaining. Australia lead by 43.
A crowd of 37,932 here on day two to see another cracking day of Test cricket! #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/PMtw7AjCwD
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 25, 2016
96th over: Australia 293-6 (Khawaja 134, Starc 7)
Rabada changing the angle, moving around the wicket, offering Khawaja the single, which he takes second delivery. Regardless of how the rest of the day pans out, this has been a Herculean effort from the makeshift opener.
Starc is not in Khawaja’s class and looks at risk of losing his wicket every delivery, but he survives with a series of play and misses, bunts, and leading edges into space.
I don't care for the interpretation of "pitching outside the line of leg stump" @JPHowcroft. If some of the ball is in line, it's in line.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) November 25, 2016
I agree.
95th over: Australia 291-6 (Khawaja 133, Starc 6)
Philander’s tested Starc all over and eventually he gets one through the big man’s defences, and it’s given LBW - reviewed immediately. And for good reason, the ball pitched a hair’s breadth outside the line of leg stump. Starc survives, only to waft another swoosh at one that beats the outside edge.
Apparently the ball had 45% landing in line with the stumps, not the required 50%. A game of millimetres.
94th over: Australia 289-6 (Khawaja 133, Starc 4)
Rabada’s in his happy place, hitting a good length and forcing both left-handers to consider the health of their thumbs. Starc isn’t one to take a backward step though and he fronts up well with a straight bat and a jutted jaw.
93rd over: Australia 286-6 (Khawaja 132, Starc 2)
Ten overs remaining tonight. Discussion on TV wanders into ‘why is the ball swinging more tonight than last night?’ territory. It would be a shame if one of them just went “I don’t know. Nobody knows really. Makes for great cricket though.”
Philander sending down his wobbly off-cutters in the vicinity of Khawaja’s outside edge, but the vigil continues.
92nd over: Australia 285-6 (Khawaja 132, Starc 1)
Khawaja offered a single first up, and he accepts, happy to rest his aching bones at the non-striker’s end and allow Mitchell Starc to fend off some Rabada thunderbolts. The big lefty does enough, including pinching a single of his own off the last ball to farm the strike.
Since the new ball was taken and the lights came on this innings has transformed. The neon pink pill keeps darting past the outside edge with a comet’s tail behind it like an homage to Tron.
Was a bit surprised by the standing ovation for the man who got in and then got out. Aus 3-10 since then
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) November 25, 2016
90th over: Australia 283-6 (Khawaja 131, Starc 0)
The collapse is on, hold onto your hats! The third wicket with the new ball has set this game back on edge with Australia down to the tail with a lead of 24.
WICKET! Wade c De Kock b Philander 4 (Australia 283-6)
90th over: Australia 283-6 (Khawaja 131)
Philander replaces Abbott, who once again bowled beautifully. But the pressure isn’t released with Veep hitting the same spots and beating Wade’s outside edge on a couple of occasions. Wade responds by taking guard way outside his crease to neutralise the seam movement, but instead he nicks a healthy edge through to a diving De Kock.
Updated
90th over: Australia 277-5 (Khawaja 130, Wade 0)
If Maddison was limited on debut, Wade certainly isn’t on recall, crunching a square drive for four from his first delivery.
Hard to gauge much from that Maddison knock. He came in at a tough time and faced some good bowling, including one very special ball indeed.
WICKET! Maddinson b Rabada 0 (Australia 277-5)
BANG! Fast, full, tailing back in to the left-hander and the zing bails go flying into the Adelaide night. Nick Maddinson got a good one from Kagiso Rabada to end his difficult stay at the crease without a run.
Updated
89th over: Australia 276-4 (Khawaja 129, Maddinson 0)
Abbott is making Maddinson’s first dig in Test cricket a tough one, putting the pink ball on the spot relentlessly. A maiden ensues, and the New South Welshman remains on a duck.
As nervous as I've ever been. Come on chum
— Moises Henriques (@Mozzie21) November 25, 2016
88th over: Australia 276-4 (Khawaja 129, Maddinson 0)
Rabada trying to offer shock value from the other end but Khawaja has been in way too long to be unsettled by any short stuff.
Tapan saw something in Handscomb before the selectors did. “Watching Handscomb making runs on tired indian pitches in A tour it was clear he would play for Australia seniors. When Voges, Mitch Marsh and Burns were preferred it made me cringe (though Voges was more of an option due to Ashes and his exp of English conditions). But still Handscomb should have made his debut before Ferguson in the last match only, even though my sympathies were with Ferguson for not making his debut earlier.”
87th over: Australia 273-4 (Khawaja 127, Maddinson 0)
Abbott’s found his mojo with this new ball under lights. His first delivery to Maddinson just passes the outside edge, as does the third, and the fifth, all kissing a good length and spitting towards first slip.
Handscomb can be satisfied with his debut, or can he? As Rowan Sweeney emails in: “If I recall correctly, the last Victorian to make a fifty on debut was dropped after making 200 n.o. Best of luck, Peter.”
True words from one who knows. Handscomb is getting his weirdness on, and we love it. https://t.co/p3aQl0lZts
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) November 25, 2016
WICKET! Handscomb b Abbott 54 (Australia 273-4)
Abbott rips through Handscomb with a beauty. Hits the deck, cuts in, and sneaks between bat and pad to castle middle and off.
Updated
85th over: Australia 273-3 (Khawaja 127, Handscomb 54)
Rabada with his first dart with the new ball, immediately after the drinks break. A couple start full outside off but the third is on Khawaja’s hip and he swivels a pulled four. He doesn’t look full of pizzazz at the crease though and a quicker one swooshes past him before one wobbles off the seam beyond his outside edge. He’s still there though, like he has been since this time last night.
Gervase Greene has taken to the email, and I’m delighted he has.
“Jonathan, isn’t it remarkable how little ‘debate’ there is over Handscomb’s stance (or ‘set-up’, as the Nine commentary team insist on describing it. I guess he is ‘At Bat’). If he didn’t hit the ball a bit harder than average, grammar pedants could almost call him a dangling modifier (google it). In My Day* I can recall snorts of derision when assorted British visitors in the late-70s started facing the incoming bowler with the bat mid-air already. To this day I cannot recall an Australia more united than that day Thommo hurled a sandshoe-crusher yorker to bowl Tony Greig at the Gabba in the 2nd innings of the 1st Test of the 1974/75 Ashes. A tsunami of ‘toldjer!’ acclaimed the delivery that proved Grieg’s 1st innings defiant century was a one-off. The whole of Australia, maybe the world, had spent the following day decrying ‘why doesn’t someone bowl that Pommie/Yarpie git a Yorker?’ as The 10-ft tall Greig held his bat off the ground. Nowadays, Handscomb’s bat stays poised and vigilant in the direction of the midday sun. And no Twitter-kerfuffle? Not even a brouhaha. Progress!”
* In My Day marks me as a curmudgeon, but it is not exactly so. But almost.
85th over: Australia 266-3 (Khawaja 121, Handscomb 54)
Abbott slows things down with a maiden.
Well, that was hardly a surprise 😏 #gun
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) November 25, 2016
Love you Glenn.
84th over: Australia 266-3 (Khawaja 121, Handscomb 54)
If there was any fear Handscomb might be rattled by that near miss they’re dispelled by back to back cover driven fours to open the 84th over.
A pulled four wide of mid-on makes it a hat-trick of boundaries, to bring up the Victorian’s 50 on debut and push Australia into the lead.
Handscomb looks to the manor born. Top knock.
83rd over: Australia 249-3 (Khawaja 121, Handscomb 41)
The new ball isn’t talking loudly for South Africa and Handscomb and Khawaja are milking ones and twos from Abbott. But, hold on, Handscomb might have bitten off more than he could chew with one quick single too many. A direct hit has him diving full length with the third umpire forced to check replays of whether the bouncing bat was in the air when the zing bails lit up. Not out! Sighs of relief for the debutant.
Admittedly I've been waiting twenty years to say this about an Australian, but there's a bit of Ijaz Ahmed about Peter Handscomb. #axeman
— Richard Bayliss (@RSBayliss) November 25, 2016
81st over: Australia 245-3 (Khawaja 120, Handscomb 38)
Philander to share the new ball and he’s so unlucky not to claim Handscomb, nipping one back off the seam, catching the inside edge but it drops before De Kock.
The long sleeve jumpers on the fielding team indicate as the sun sets the temperature drops pretty quickly in the Athens of the South.
Khawaja now has his longest Test innings in terms of balls faced - now up to 240...
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) November 25, 2016
81st over: Australia 243-3 (Khawaja 120, Handscomb 36)
Kyle Abbott is handed the new pink ball at the earliest opportunity, running in from the Cathedral End as the sun sets over the Adelaide Oval, sending the sky an Instagrammer’s #nofilter fantasy. Game on again.
Not much doing from that first look at the new pill, a tiny amount of swing back into the left hander, but the bowler’s only just hitting 130kph. That perception of swing almost does for Khawaja who plays inside the line of the last couple, giving Abbott something to smile ruefully about.
80th over: Australia 243-3 (Khawaja 120, Handscomb 36)
Review! Hail Mary appeal with the first delivery of Shamsi’s over to Handscomb. The right-hander goes deep in his crease looking to play a cut shot but is beaten for pace to one that bounced a bit more than most. He hits it, but the question is whether it hit his pad first. The review reveals it did hit his pad first, but was bouncing well over. Worth a look, and a decent warning to Handscomb about how his deep guard makes him an LBW candidate.
Khawaja sees out the rest of the over, but he’s gone into his shell a bit since dinner. Hardly surprising considering he’s been on the field every delivery for two days in a row.
South Africa will be restored the review at the end of the over.
Updated
79th over: Australia 241-3 (Khawaja 119, Handscomb 35)
Temba Bavuma joining the Faf’s havin a laugh bowling chaff party. Bavuma’s right-arm skidders have potential, but on a track as true as this against two set batsmen he’s performing the role of a bowling machine.
78th over: Australia 239-3 (Khawaja 119, Handscomb 33)
Handscomb dancing all around his crease against Shamsi, looking to manoeuvre the ball into run scoring areas. After finding the field for four deliveries, he finally manages to rotate the strike.
Day/Night Test Cricket is fantastic .. Love the visual but more so the change in conditions that you have to deal with ... #AUSvSA
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 25, 2016
77th over: Australia 239-3 (Khawaja 119, Handscomb 33)
Back to tip and run against Duminy.
Australia trailing by just 20 now.
Shane Warne says Faf du Plessis should own up to his actions - the man who threw his own Mum under a bus when he tested positive. #AUSvSA
— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) November 25, 2016
76th over: Australia 234-3 (Khawaja 117, Handscomb 30)
Shamsi continuing a tight line and length to Khawaja. Second maiden from him in a row.
TV commentary has gone to the subject of Faf’s appeal - which is easy to perceive as pushing the patience of the ICC and everyone involved. Although, hearing Mr Warne lament the Proteas skipper not taking responsibility for his actions must have brought a few wry smiles around the country. Maybe Faf should say his mum packed the mints in his kit bag and he didn’t think there was anything wrong with sucking them on tour?
75th over: Australia 234-3 (Khawaja 117, Handscomb 30)
Duminy into the attack now with his right-arm offies from over the wicket. He starts with a rank wide long hop and some junk that should have generated a sundry, forcing him to change his approach around the wicket, from where he immediately looks dangerous. One turns and strikes Handscomb on the pads and another finds a thick edge that races along the ground past Amla at slip.
74th over: Australia 230-3 (Khawaja 117, Handscomb 26)
Du Plessis is clearly trying to buy 10 cheap overs and throw his seamers full bore at the new ball as darkness descends but this brief passage after dinner has been all Australia so far.
Shamsi puts the breaks on finally with a maiden.
73rd over: Australia 230-3 (Khawaja 117, Handscomb 26)
50 partnership from just 68 deliveries as this pair continue their postprandial game of tip and run.
If Handscomb’s technique and runs don’t help him succeed, he has the patronage of a certain SK Warne to prop him up. The debutant has perfect Warnian genes, being of Australian, Victorian, and St Kilda CC descent. One can only imagine he likes American Pie too.
72nd over: Australia 223-3 (Khawaja 115, Handscomb 21)
Shamsi bowling his left-arm over the wicket wrist spin to partner Elgar. A similar over ensues with Handscomb in particular showing a confident use of his feet that will stand him in good stead for the Yasir Shah challenge to come later in the summer. A couple of those nudges reach the boundary this over though, courtesy of some dreadful fielding. Some South Africans still with their heads in the buffet. And the Adelaide feed is as good as it gets on the circuit, so I can hardly blame them.
Finally Elgar on for a bowl. I've been waiting for this ALL SERIES. #AusvSA
— Cat Jones (@Cricketbatcat) November 25, 2016
Everyone has a fan somewhere.
71st over: Australia 213-3 (Khawaja 110, Handscomb 16)
Dean Elgar to open the bowling for this final session of the day as South Africa look to rattle through to the new ball in 10 overs time.
The over proceeds as you’d expect, a series of loopy left arm droppers nudged around the beautiful oval for a few singles.
There’ll be 32 overs bowled in the session, meaning we’re likely to overrun the scheduled close of play slightly, but not by much.
Actually, can we ditch the cricket? Channel 9 have just shown the trailer for the new David Attenborough show, you know, the one of that lizard sprinting away from an army of snakes straight from a Room 101 nightmare.
Evening all, a change of narrator for you to see you through the sunset session. I have the good fortune of turning up with Australia in the ascendancy in a Test match for the first time since the Ashes tour of 1989.
Usman Khawaja has mixed elegance with patience to bat serenely through two sessions after his unexpected move to opener. He’s at the crease alongsdie debutant Peter Handscomb who has looked accomplished after a nervy first over. The Victorian’s upright technique and guard deep in his crease is sure to provoke plenty of debate.
If you have something to contribute you can reach me on Twitter @JPHowcroft or email jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.
In case this story passed you by...
While you’re enjoying your dinner (or tea, or supper, I know this naming convention is a hotly debated issue on social media) please cast your eye over this. From Andy Bull in this week’s The Spin.
Ashoquolla Sultankhil travelled a long way to play Bexleyheath CC, all across Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungry, Serbia, and France. Sultankhil – his team-mates all call him Shuk – is from Baghlan in northern Afghanistan. When Shuk was a baby, his father left home. When Shuk was a child, his mother and brother were killed by the Taliban. And when Shuk was a teenager, he decided to come to Europe and claim asylum in England. He was placed in foster care and given a place at Woolwich Polytechnic. Soon after he turned up at Bexleyheath CC, where, though he couldn’t speak much English, he made it clear that he was nuts about cricket and started playing for their U15s.
Two years later, Shuk now has five GCSEs, including a C in English, and is still turning out for the club. He is also being threatened with deportation. Shuk recently lost his application to remain in the UK, and is now on his final appeal to stay in the country he calls home. Shuk’s team-mates at Bexleyheath CC are petitioning the government on his behalf. They say he “has embraced all of cricket life, engaging in the social and fund raising sides as well as playing the game itself” and that “he is a smashing, polite, friendly hard working lad who has quite simply become part of our family”. You can read more about Shuk’s case here. If you’re persuaded by his case, please do sign his petition.
Please read/sign this petition, the story of an incredibly courageous, cricket-loving kid who faces deportation: https://t.co/NwIeEY6U7J
— Danish Dynamite (@DanishDyn86) November 22, 2016
DINNER - Australia 209-3 (Khawaja 108, Handscomb 14)
A fine session for the hosts, rattling off an even 100 runs across the two hours, Usman Khawaja registering his fifth Test century along the way. It could have been flawless, if not for a mix-up that left the captain Steve Smith short of his ground when on 59 after he’d 137 on with Khawaja either side of lunch.
It has been a defining hand from the left-hander, thrown up to the top of the list after Dave Warner was precluded from opening the innings last night. He was mature enough to survive last night, and skilful enough to prosper today. The strokes were there, but so too was the hard work to see off the South African trio of quality seamers when deserving of it.
Smith will be gutted, his call for a single to point honoured by Khawaja initially before being sent back. It’s ugly cricket, but the captain was equally brilliant in the stand. It laid the foundation for the runs that Australia desperately wanted to avoid leaving too much work to their inexperienced lower-middle order. With that said, Handscomb has looked better with each minute he has spent out there since Smith’s demise, 14 not out at the long break. The hosts are 50 short of a valuable first innings lead.
Right. That’s enough from me. JP Howcroft will take the baton as day becomes night in Adelaide. Thanks for your company, I’ve enjoyed it as always. See you tomorrow.
Updated
70th over: Australia 209-3 (Khawaja 108, Handscomb 14) Handscomb is defending and leaving in keeping with the best traditions of the pre-interval over. Until Abbott overpitches on his pads, a ball he’s happy enough to push through midwicket. Strong writs, three scored. Khawaja sees off the final couple of deliveries, collecting one to midwicket in the process. And that, my friends, will be dinner. I’ll take a moment and wrap up the session.
69th over: Australia 205-3 (Khawaja 107, Handscomb 11) Shamsi has been given a big go in this middle session but is still searching for a maiden Test scalp. With only minutes to the long break Khawaja is satisfied in defence before getting a loopy one on the pads, tucking it away for one. Handscomb driving turns the strike over as well, meaning he’ll be up the business end for the final over of the session, which will be delivered by Abbott.
Handscomb
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 25, 2016
4 cut shots for 9 of his 10 runs so far#ausvsa
68th over: Australia 203-3 (Khawaja 106, Handscomb 10) Abbott back on for a couple before dinner. He’s too straight to begin, Khawaja stroking a single into the on-side. Then a bit a short, Hanscomb cutting a couple behind gully. His best shot yet. He does likewise to end the over, and this time it goes the full journey - his first boundary in Test cricket. That’ll feel good; into double figures as well. That’s Australia’s 200 up as well.
Updated
67th over: Australia 196-3 (Khawaja 105, Handscomb 4) Shamsi gets another go. Khawaja, untroubled after bringing up a century moments before, takes one to point. Hanscomb gets three behind point that he tries to cut close to his body. He looks a bit nervous out there, but that’s perfectly understandable. Still, a big job ahead and this is what he has been picked for.
Usman Khawaja first Australian to score Test century since Steve Smith, 3rd Test v Sri Lanka. That's 381 overs and 14 balls #AUSvSA
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) November 25, 2016
66th over: Australia 191-3 (Khawaja 103, Handscomb 1) Four slips in place for Handscomb, Philander I am sure very happy to be given another chance at the Victorian right hander on debut. He’s forced to play and defend, facing up deep in his crease. It’s a tough initial interrogation for the 25-year-old, but he comes across as a savvy enough operator to understand that. A good late leave to end the over suggests some confidence. A maiden will be recorded in the book. Australia now trail by 68, with a quarter hour to come before dinner.
Take a bow, Uzzie! #AUSvSA https://t.co/YwbDrJ5wQx
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 25, 2016
65th over: Australia 191-3 (Khawaja 103, Handscomb 1) Khawaja is using his feet to get to the pitch of Shamsi, it’s beautifully timed and to the rope. To 98. Then 99 with another drive, this time to long-off. The cheer is bigger again for Hanscomb who takes one himself, his first run in Test cricket. Now back on strike and the field up Khawaja makes no mistake in cutting to a ton! A glorious way to get there, and he loves it. 197 balls with ten boundaries the others numbers in the equation. He needed to step up with the vast inexperience across Australia’s top six, and then again when Dave Warner was prevented from opening last night. He’s done both beautifully. There’ll be some scrutiny over the run out with Smith, but time for that later. For now, it’s all about Usman. What a superb century.
A great moment for the almost forgotten concept of #digin.
— Andrew (@andrew_54) November 25, 2016
64th over: Australia 181-3 (Khawaja 94, Handscomb 0) Philander v Khawaja is a taste match-up at this stage of the innings, the former looking dangerous, the latter in the 90s and probably rattled after the run out with his captain only a few overs ago. A couple to midwicket then a single to square leg relieves the tension, and pushes him to within one (big) stroke of the century.
63rd over: Australia 178-3 (Khawaja 91, Handscomb 0) Shamsi gets Khawaja’s edge, but it is a thick one, running down for three and putting the left-hander into the 90s. Handscomb yet to get off the mark, but looks at relative ease against the spin.
That run out makes this an official Park Cricket game.... Awesome. #ausvsa
— Dan Tooms (@dan_tooms) November 25, 2016
62nd over: Australia 175-3 (Khawaja 87, Handscomb 0) Pete Hanscomb, welcome to the big leagues. Philander’s first crack at the newbie is an unplayable. Lucky not to join the club of men dismissed first ball in Test cricket. Anyone got that club handy? Anyway, he’s free of that. But nearly gets on another list: ducks on debut, when driving Philander back, falling just short of his extended right hand mid-follow through.
Cmon @phandscomb54!!! #footbrush
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) November 25, 2016
61st over: Australia 174-3 (Khawaja 87, Handscomb 0) The run out marks the end of the Shamsi over. Who is at fault? Opinion is split if the run was even there, but once called through does Khawaja have to go? By the old definition, it was probably the captains call with the ball struck in front of point. Khawaja had came down the track at least two strides before sending him back, probably making him the more culpable of the pair. But fair to say it was a joint shambles. And now it is debutant Pete Handscomb out to face the music with just over half an hour to dinner.
Need a few angles but what was Khawaja doing? Got nearly halfway down the pitch and just froze. #AusvSA
— Ethan (@ethan_meldrum) November 25, 2016
WICKET! Smith run out 59. (Australia 174-3)
Unbelievable! Smith pushes Shamsi to point and takes off, but Khawaja sends the captain back! He doesn’t have enough time for that, Philander getting the return into de Kock and he’s short by a mile.
Updated
60th over: Australia 173-2 (Khawaja 86, Smith 59) A maiden. That I won’t detail beyond noting that Philander was bowling it to Smith, and both were happy enough with that. With my wifi dropping out for a few minutes, that’s all I have for you there. Back to normal programming.
59th over: Australia 173-2 (Khawaja 86, Smith 59) Back to Shamsi. How will the debutant go this time around? Khawaja edges, but it falls short of slip. That’ll encourage the spinner. But Khawaja doesn’t take long to realise that he’s better off taking him on. He does to twice, using his feet to go down the ground. The long straight boundary means he has to settle for two the first time around, but gets much more of it with the second attempt, four scored. Two more to finish it off with a nudge fine, and it’s eight from it. “They’re in trouble South Africa,” says Chris Rogers on radio. “They can’t stem the scoring from that end.” It certainly is a long way from 2-for-37. This partnership is now worth 136.
58th over: Australia 165-2 (Khawaja 78, Smith 59) Okay, Big Vern is back from the Southern End, replacing Rabada. And it doesn’t take long, winning Khawaja’s inside edge while driving just missing the leg stump. It’s a different game when Philander has the pink ball in his hand to the hour that came before, also squaring Smith up. The quality over comes to an end with a couple of balls that force the skipper to defend on the front foot. Doing plenty.
57th over: Australia 161-2 (Khawaja 75, Smith 58) That’s too easy. The last over before drinks is meant to be a a penetrative one, but Duminy can’t make it so. On three occasions Khawaja carved out to point with a minimum of fuss, six runs from the set. A wonderful hour for the Australians, 52 tallied with real purpose. There was the chance, Duminy earning Smith’s edge in his first over but Amla put it down. Blimey, how they may live to lament that moment as this day becomes night.
56th over: Australia 155-2 (Khawaja 70, Smith 57) Yeah, he’s really on now the captain. Smith leans into a crunching cover drive. Only slightly overpitched from Rabada, but the batsman is well up for anything up on the dancefloor at the moment. He drove later in the over and looked unhappy with something in his leg, but he’s back into his stance right away.
😍#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/orRs3TyYBp
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 25, 2016
55th over: Australia 151-2 (Khawaja 70, Smith 53) Easy as you like, Khawaja takes one down to long-off to bring up Australia’s 150. Smith finds one himself to long-on. They’re walking these. No other threats. Can’t be long before Faf returns to his stud Philander from that Cathedral End. A very healthy crowd into the increasingly packed members stand, which discounts the thousands enjoying their life out the back in the tents on Adelaide Oval No. 2. There’s a Bradman story from out the back here, isn’t there? What a beautiful afternoon, not a cloud in the sky. To borrow from Shane Warne, I think I’ve made myself thirsty with all this chat. Back to the cricket.
That dropped catch was Amla's third of the series. And he's only made 53 runs. Have to sense something big is coming... #AUSvSA
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) November 25, 2016
54th over: Australia 149-2 (Khawaja 69, Smith 52) A beautiful stroke from Smith brings up his 18th Test Match half century, timing Rabada through square leg for four. 85 balls to reach the milestone. Aside the chance he gave to Amla at slip ten minutes ago he’s been both chanceless and busy. After the boundary he’s content defending and leaving the remainder of the over.
53rd over: Australia 145-2 (Khawaja 69, Smith 48) A considerably more measured approach to Duminy’s second over as well, Smith taking singles to the sweepers down the ground and at deep point, while Khawaja gets his solitary run from the over via a tickle to fine leg.
Smith
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 25, 2016
1 bottom edge (dropped)
1 leading edge
1 outside edge
3 played and missed
Khawaja
1 inside edge
2 thick edges
7 played and missed
52nd over: Australia 142-2 (Khawaja 68, Smith 46) After the eventful previous over Khawaja is more than happy to let Rabada go each and every ball of this over. A combination of deliveries outside the off-stump and a couple of bouncers. Good contest.
Gary Naylor has some views on the man they call Smudger. “This Englishman finds much to admire in Steve Smith’s batting, but less in his demeanour on and off the field. That may come.”
51st over: Australia 142-2 (Khawaja 68, Smith 46) Shamsi is predictably replaced. But Faf sticks with spin, JP Duminy given the chance for a little jam roll with his offies. He picked up Khawaja in the second dig at Perth, so it makes sense. No such issues when he lobs him a full toss early on, slapped out to cover for a single. Easy. When Duminy overpitches later in the over Smith has enough time and room to get a full swing of his arms, and does so with a lavish but controlled drive to the rope. Delightful. Oh, dropped! Ball after the boundary a big, fat outside edge is put down by Amla at first slip off Smith. That could be utterly disastrous for the home side. He had all of it, but it was coming at a decent clip to his right. A bit of juggling, a lot of annoyance for South Africa.
Here it is:
How costly will that be?! #AUSvSA https://t.co/lxNGYTDhMt
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 25, 2016
50th over: Australia 137-2 (Khawaja 67, Smith 42) Khawaja takes one to fine leg raises the 100 partnership for the Australian captain and unexpected opener. It’s been a wonderful stand. Rabada finds more zip as he continues here, encouraging a Smith hook that he misses and also doesn’t pass far from his glove or helmet. Oh, and the last ball goes hit that glove of his, immediately taken off the bat as contact is made. That stings. But the skipper shakes it off.
Roland Smith on the email with a little chip of ‘Faf, the genius?’ He continues: “I’d like to thank Faf for getting Khawaja in early for Australia. Worked wonders!”
49th over: Australia 136-2 (Khawaja 66, Smith 42) That man Smith is really feating on Shamsi now. Given another over, he drops short and is cut hard to the rope for the second time in the space of three overs. Smith’s last four scoring shots are boundaries as he enters the 40s. A single to square leg ticks the board over again, as does Khawaja to end the over and retain the strike. The Australian pair are really driving this match now. It’s feels a long time since that’s been the case with the bat.
48th over: Australia 130-2 (Khawaja 65, Smith 37) A change from the city end, Rabada on for Abbott. It’s not the best over to return, straying on a few occasions, Khawaja twice able to take two off his pads.
Phil Withall has dropped us a line. Hi, Phil. “As an Englishman living in Australia for some time I’m slowly developing a grudging admiration for Steve Smith.” A journey a lot of English watchers have gone on with Smith, I suspect, after his entry to Ashes cricket in 2010-11. A different cricketer these days. And looking the man most likely so far in this evening session.
47th over: Australia 126-2 (Khawaja 61, Smith 37) Shamsi’s not causing any trouble for Smith, the hone captain driving a half-volley down the ground for four to end the over. He’s gotten well away from them since the break. A was a big different earlier in the set when delivering to Khawaja, who is adopting a more conservative approach. Even so, I don’t expect it’ll be long before Faf returns to pace from both ends.
The third ball of Shamsi's 8th over turned 5.5° & beat Khawaja
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 25, 2016
But his average turn at 3.2° is still well below Lyon's (5.1°)#ausvsa
46th over: Australia 121-2 (Khawaja 60, Smith 33) Funny this, batting getting easier the longer you’re out there. Something the Australians haven’t had much experience of this series. Abbott’s still getting a bit out of it, the final ball of this over coming back a decent margin, but Smith is right to leave on length, watching it travel over the top of his middle stump. Nothing wrong with that. Earlier in the over Khawaja moved to 60 with a tuck around the corner to fine leg.
Hi, Karlos.
If @Uz_Khawaja was the only batsman I had to watch for the rest of my life I'd be happy. Old school style.
— Karl Stefanovic (@karlstefanovic) November 25, 2016
45th over: Australia 120-2 (Khawaja 59, Smith 33) Shamsi gifts Smith the chance to almost drive him to fine leg with a shocker to begin the over, well down the legside. “A pie,” concludes Dirk Nannes on the radio. It’s a better set thereafter. Smith gets a bit tangled up to the last ball getting a leading edge, but it goes straight to ground.
Skipper Smith puts that away to move to 33* #AUSvSA https://t.co/9j0KLlr6EU
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 25, 2016
44th over: Australia 116-2 (Khawaja 59, Smith 29) Khawaja conservative, letting Abbott go repeatedly outside the off-stump. That’s good batting. Integral that he shows the seniority he now has in this side and bats the bulk of this innings after doing so much hard work. He’s driving the last ball of the over to cover, hitting the ball of the bat but also the fielder. A maiden.
43rd over: Australia 116-2 (Khawaja 59, Smith 29) Shamsi back onto his mark right away, bowling from the Cathedral End. The hill is filling up very nicely over there. There are definitely more people in now than there were at this time yesterday. A good sign for after dark when they walk over the bridge from town from work. Oh, a big turner from the left-arm wrist spinner beats Khawaja’s outside edge. A bad end to the over though, taken for one by the left-hander then dropping short to Smith who thumps behind point for four of the best.
42nd over: Australia 111-2 (Khawaja 58, Smith 25) Abbott running away from here here at the Southern End to begin the middle session. Some nice carry from the South Africa seamer, de Kock taking a couple early in the over with his fingers pointed north. Smith gets back underway with a nicely timed push through a gap found between cover and mid-off. On the carpet, tidy batting. The captain seldom misses out on a big one when getting to this stage of an innings.
Afternoon.
Adam Collins here to take you from tea to dinner here at the Adelaide Oval. As detailed nicely by Russell Jackson, it was yet absorbing session with the pink ball. Last year’s day/nighter was a cracking little contest, and there’s nothing to yet to suggest this won’t be much the same.
James Sutherland said before play on the ABC that he’s keen to continue with night time cricket next summer for an Ashes Test against England at Adelaide, something he’s in discussions with the ECB about. Alastair Cook (for one) wasn’t so keen on that when asked mid-year, so it might take some convincing from the CA heavies. But I, for one, hope they get it over the line. For England readers waking up and turning on the OBO, what do you reckon?
Right, we’re a couple of minutes from play resuming here with Australia exactly 150 behind the tourists. Chris Rogers on commentary said of Khawaja’s unbeaten 58 so far that it was as good an innings as he can remember from him. And it should only get easier to bat from here.
Let’s do it. Adam.Collins.Freelance@theguardian.com for your best, @collinsadam your worst.
That session in brief
Matt Renshaw was the first man to depart for Australia, caught in contentious style by Dean Elgar, whose effort was sent to the third umpire and given approval despite appearing to touch the turf ever-so-briefly. He made 10, and David Warner 11 before he pushes hard at Kyle Abbott to be caught at second slip as well. That catch was more regulation. Since it’s been the Usman Khawaja show. The left-hander has 58 of the most languid and soothing runs you’d ever see and Steve Smith has made an enterprising 23 in support. That’s me done for the day but thanks for your emails and tweets. Adam Collins is in the blogging position shortly. Make him welcome.
Tea on day two - Australia back in control after early wickets
41st over: Australia 109-2 (Khawaja 58, Smith 23)
And that is the first session done and dusted. Shamsi bowls the final over and again it’s all sorts from the spinner, who hasn’t quite nailed it this afternoon. He gets away with a long hop when Khawaja mis-times a late cut, but this batting pair head for the sheds with an unbroken 72-run partnership behind them after the top order wobbled again. Advantage Australia.
40th over: Australia 105-2 (Khawaja 56, Smith 22)
Tighter stuff from Abbott in this over but the Australians have one eye on the clock now and they’re happy to see this through to the tea break, which will last 20 minutes. They’ll get 40 later on for dinner.
39th over: Australia 103-2 (Khawaja 56, Smith 22)
We’re not far away from lunch now and Tabriaz Shamsi continues in uninspiring style, though there are not many runs on offer until he throws up a full toss with his final delivery, which Khawaja belts to the fence to bring up Australia’s hundred. It’s all a bit easy for the Australians at the moment.
Usman Khawaja brings up a splendid half-century
38th over: Australia 98-2 (Khawaja 52, Smith 21)
As expected Kyle Abbott now returns. His figures of 2-7 from 10 overs are testament to his unerring accuracy in the early session but even he drops short and does so twice early upon his return, so Khawaja cashes in with another pair of effortless pull shots to the ropes. The second brings up a sublime half-century right when his team needed one. It took him 115 deliveries and those were his fifth and sixth boundaries.
37th over: Australia 90-2 (Khawaja 44, Smith 21)
There’s a wonderful leg-side take and throaty appeal here by Quinton de Kock, who has barely had any work to do of late but springs into action with some very snappy work. The only problem is it’s merely glanced Steve Smith’s thigh pad on the way through. Not out.
36th over: Australia 89-2 (Khawaja 43, Smith 21)
As the Australians continue to restore this session to something close to parity, Philander continues to fill the air until Abbott is ready for his return. That wasn’t a sentence I expected to be writing a fortnight ago. Khawaja works a single and Smith moves across his crease like Fred Astaire before driving a boundary between mid-wicket and mid-on. With that, the partnership passes 50 from just 84 deliveries.
35th over: Australia 83-2 (Khawaja 42, Smith 16)
Hmm, I’m not sure Khawaja needs to be getting so funky as the risky paddle sweep he plays here to pick up two off Shamsi, but that he does. Both batsmen are looking very comfortable against the spinner. Sham-wow? Maybe not.
Sutherland on booing 2: "I think that’s sport, maybe just a little bit of fun ... but perhaps the fun went a little bit too far in the end.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) November 25, 2016
34th over: Australia 78-2 (Khawaja 40, Smith 13)
There’s some athletic work at point here from Temba Bavuma, who cuts off a certain boundary from Smith’s blade as Philander continues to plug away manfully but without looking much like taking a wicket. Keep calm and...lolly on?
Yes, I am aware Donald Trump is about to get control of a nuclear submarine and I've spent a week talking about how a guy spat on a ball.
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) November 25, 2016
33rd over: Australia 76-2 (Khawaja 39, Smith 12)
As predicted Tabraiz Shamsi now makes his first appearance of the day to bowl some left-arm wrist spin. Usman Khawaja is looking to score at every opportunity and eventually dabs three through gully with a late cut of which he lost control in the final flourishes. A ball later Steve Smith does a very bad impression of someone who can pick a wrong ‘un as Shamsi takes one away from him. I sense already that Shamsi will go for plenty of runs but should bowl a decent number of ‘wicket balls’ to go with them.
32nd over: Australia 73-2 (Khawaja 36, Smith 12)
I guess this represents a sharp adjustment for South Africa’s bowlers, who now into their first period of Test cricket using a pink ball without its shiny gloss of the early overs. Might takes some getting used to based on the last five overs or so. Philander comes around the wicket to Khawaja in attempt to stem the flow of runs and it’s a reasonably effective tactic.
31st over: Australia 72-2 (Khawaja 35, Smith 12)
Rabada keeps at it but he’s lacked the penetration and bite we’ve seen in most of his other spells in this series, so the Australians are increasingly comfortable in what is now a 35-run partnership at a touch over four runs per over.
Abbott so good in this series.....hard to believe he's has'nt played Tests more often
— jim maxwell (@jimmaxcricket) November 25, 2016
30th over: Australia 71-2 (Khawaja 34, Smith 12)
Khawaja is really asserting himself now and cracks Philander to the fence with a brutal pull shot that barely gets above head height as it bullets away to the rope. A few balls later Khawaja clips three more down the ground with a straightish on-drive. Whisper it, but the South African bowling efforts are becoming just a little bit ragged. Time for some spin I reckon.
29th over: Australia 62-2 (Khawaja 27, Smith 10)
The spinner Shamsi is haring around the field as Kagiso Rabada bowls but there might be half a temptation for du Plessis to get him into the attack as this partnership finds its feet. Rabada is turned through mid-wicket for a couple by Khawaja, who continues to make the simple things look artful. Reader Roland Smith returns. “I am in complete agreement with Phil Withall’s assessment of Warner. He needs to start batting for the team not just his strike rate!”
28th over: Australia 56-2 (Khawaja 22, Smith 9)
Refreshed from the first drinks break of the morning, Vernon Philander is back into the attack now so Kyle Abbott takes a well-earned rest. Usman Khawaja’s clearly gulped down a particularly good batch of Lucozade because he soon swivels onto his back foot and paddles Philander to the fence at deep backward square leg. I can’t believe I’m getting paid to watch him bat.
27th over: Australia 52-2 (Khawaja 18, Smith 9)
Bang! Where did that come from? Steve Smith has been busy but only squirrelling runs away so far. Now he rocks back to a short one from Rabada and – doing his best RT Ponting impersonation – flat-bats an imperious pull shot over the fence at deep square leg. It’s the only score of the over and rightly so, because nothing could hope to match it for audacity and flawless execution. This is some gripping Test match cricket at the moment; two batsmen on top of their game and two bowlers giving them everything.
26th over: Australia 46-2 (Khawaja 18, Smith 3)
What was I saying about Khawaja being in total control? Kyle Abbott persists on his off stump line and does everything bar claim the edge with another devilish off-cutter. He’s so adept at making the ball talk he should be hired to interrogate mob bosses.
25th over: Australia 44-2 (Khawaja 17, Smith 2)
In contrast to Abbott, Kagiso Rabada’s approach to the wicket is a triumph of simplicity. It’s not a long run-up and he just kind of glides in, not gathering much momentum until the last few strides. He’s bowling to Steve Smith here and it’s a decent over, with Smith working two to deep square leg to get off the mark but not having much else to work with.
24th over: Australia 42-2 (Khawaja 17, Smith 0)
There was a chance Kyle Abbott would have finished up his spell after that last over but taking a wicket off the final delivery has probably convinced he and his captain that it’s worth persisting a little while longer. Abbott does seem like the kind of bowler who would appreciate the spiritual joys of physical labour. Every approach to the crease is like the delivery of a barrow-load of fertiliser, and for now a decent number of drop-offs are blooming into wickets. Australia, on the other hand, are batting like manure.
Reader Phil Withall is chagrined. “There is something frustratingly predictable about Warner falling short again,” he writes. “I know his game is based on aggressively taking it to the bowlers, dispatching the ball and their confidence to all corners of the ground. It just seems that nowadays he fails more than he succeeds. Would it be unfair to suggest that it would benefit both him and his colleagues if he just eased up a little?”
Not at all Phil. On that note...
23rd over: Australia 42-2 (Khawaja 17, Smith 0)
Slow and steady wins the race in Test cricket, and Usman Khawaja is proving that right now as the wickets tumble around him. Kagiso Rabada hasn’t quite nailed his ‘areas’ this morning, and the Australian left-hander hits him to the square leg boundary like he’s cracking a bullwhip. A single brings the skipper Steve Smith on strike and his first ball from Rabada nips away a little to take the outside edge, falling just short of the cordon. Nervy times for any batsman not named Usman Khawaja.
WICKET! Warner c Elgar b Abbott 11 (Australia 37-2)
Warner perishes! Oh dear, Australia are in a bit of bother now as Warner can’t help himself, pushing hard at a Kyle Abbott delivery that is angled across him. It’s a thick edge that flies through to second slip and this time there’s no need for Dean Elgar to dive as he snaffles a smart catch. Hard hands are Warner’s undoing again.
21st over: Australia 37-1 (Khawaja 12, Warner 11)
Kagiso Rabada has been something of a revelation on his first tour of Australia and steps up now for his first spell of the day. He’s also got the McDermott/Hughes (Donald?) style zinc across the face and soon sends a snorter past the outside edge of Khawaja, who is squared up like a rube. Quinny de Kock goes up with a ridiculous appeal when it glances off the batsman’s hip but even Rabada can’t bring himself to feign enthusiasm, so Nigel Llong waves it off. Soon after Khawaja turns four to fine leg with the sort of artful flick of the wrists that would have had Ranjitsinhji himself nodding in satisfaction. Glorious.
20th over: Australia 32-1 (Khawaja 8, Warner 10)
Abbott continues to hammer away on the perfect line and length to the left-handed pair, and Khawaja in particular is happy to just weather his first spell for now. He’s faced three times as many deliveries as Warner but has already been passed by his partner in the runs column. It’s proper Test match batting and a nice change from the chaos of Hobart.
Updated
19th over: Australia 31-1 (Khawaja 9, Warner 8)
Finally Warner gets some width from Philander and plays a controlled drive through cover to pick up a couple and then a slightly more heavy-handed variation to gather three. There seems to be reverence for Warner’s ability to ‘push’ runs like that, but it does make me wonder what he would have been like with 1980s-style bats. Michael Slater was out in the middle of Adelaide Oval with a Gray-Nicolls Scoop earlier in the morning, which is in no way a clumsy segue to this thing I wrote a couple of years ago, I swear.
18th over: Australia 26-1 (Khawaja 8, Warner 4)
The odd pundit - myself included - might have questioned Kyle Abbott’s leapfrogging of Morne Morkel to replace Dale Steyn, but he’s proven a more than adequate replacement in this series and continues to ask questions of Warner here. The Australian isn’t given anything to work with until he manages a single to finish the over. This is a danger period for Warner, who always likes to dominate the bowlers early but can’t quite break the shackles yet.
Updated
17th over: Australia 25-1 (Khawaja 8, Warner 3)
The measured tempo of the first couple of overs has lifted a notch or two with that wicket and the arrival of Warner, who is looking to score off every ball but gets off strike with a leg bye. Khawaja has been a little sluggish but pushes a couple more runs through cover to finish the Philander over.
16th over: Australia 22-1 (Khawaja 6, Warner 3)
Warner makes his delayed appearance now and gets off the mark characteristically early with three, which he thrashes through cover. Hmm, replays of that catch are starting to make the decision look a little shonky, I must say. Unlucky? Probably. Everyone’s opinion might differ here.
Thought Elgar's catch probably hit the ground, but it was nigh-on impossible to see clearly. I'm okay with the decision. #AUSvSA
— Tony Tea (@AfterGrogBlog) November 25, 2016
Updated
WICKET! Renshaw c Elgar b Abbott 10 (Australia 19-1)
Renshaw departs! Dramatic stuff here as Dean Elgar thinks he’s caught Renshaw at second slip, diving low and to his right, but replays soon reveal that the ball might have bobbled out a little and hit the ground as the fieldsman clasped it. The umpires call for clarification from upstairs and the the verdict sends the debutant on his way! One thing we can say for sure: Elgar moved up a little after a chance dropped short an over ago and it was a canny tactic, because in the regulation second slip position he mightn’t have snared it.
Updated
15th over: Australia 19-0 (Khawaja 6, Renshaw 10)
Philander is a little too straight to start this over, so Khawaja works a typically lackadaisical single to leg. Renshaw then gets squared up and sends an edge just short of third slip. Last night Kevin Pietersen was giving an interesting appraisal of Renshaw’s back foot placement – which he clearly didn’t love – but Michael Clarke is now full of praise for the opener’s soft hands, which prevented his dismissal in this case.
14th over: Australia 17-0 (Khawaja 5, Renshaw 9)
Burly Kyle Abbott partners with Philander to start the day and he’s adopting the aesthetic of some Australian fast bowling icons of yore with his Craig McDermott-style zinc application. Better still is the off-cutter he sends screaming past Renshaw’s outside edge and it’s a probing maiden from the Proteas paceman.
Reader Patrick O’Brien has a quandary: “I’m troubled and need your help,” he starts. “I’m a bit bothered by the Fafster’s declaration yesterday, as it essentially was trying to take advantage of someone’s injury. Not quite a hanging offence, sure, but there’s something about it that doesn’t sit right with me. Am I being too sensitive? I should also add that he’s a great player and I couldn’t give two hoots about lollygate, it’s just this decision I’m interested in.”
Hmm, I think the real fault is with Warner and the medical staff for their blunder, and doubly so in Warner’s case because it appears as though he was having a quite indiscreet conversation with the umpires vis a vis his return. I think Test cricket is at its best when its played hard but fair, within the rules. This was within the rules, and very clever captaincy if you’re to take at face value that Australia are better off with Warner opening.
13th over: Australia 17-0 (Khawaja 5, Renshaw 9)
And we’re off and away on day two in Adelaide, where the crowd is lapping up sunshine and clear blue skies as Vernon Philander bustles to the crease and flings the first ball down to Matt Renshaw. As per his determined efforts last night, the young Queenslander leaves it but gets a single down to fine leg soon after. Khawaja is not entirely convincing to start with but sends a streaky square drive out to deep point to pick up two.
Reader Roland Smith disagrees with my appraisal of Faf’s evil genius, and he makes a reasonable point. “If I was captaining I’d love to have Warner in for a few overs under lights with the ball swinging,” he says. “A Khawaja century will knock that cork back into the bottle.”
Things aren’t going quite as well for Cricket Australia’s CEO:
James Sutherland swallows a fly mid-interview. @GerardWhateley covers seamlessly while he gets it down. In form.#RealInterviewers
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) November 25, 2016
And even more on Faf...
Here’s the full story from Dave Richardson, who is not impressed.
About Faf...
Have a read of what he’s had to say about that early declaration, which ensured that David Warner – who spent some time off the field being treated for an injury – couldn’t open the batting with Matt Renshaw in Austrlia’s reply. And another thing: the booing of the Proteas skipper yesterday was a little bit much. He’s hardly Arjuna Ranatunga.
Preamble
Hello cricket fans and welcome to day two of the day-night Test in Adelaide, which has already featured a decent amount of drama and intrigue. Australia resume at 14-0 after South Africa’s 259-9, an innings declared early by Faf du Plessis so that David Warner couldn’t open the batting. Evil. Genius.
A bit more on Faf to start with: he’s definitely appealing his fine for ball tampering in the Hobart Test, which has left the ICC’s Dave Richardson “disappointed”. He’s not angry, you see, just disappointed. More on that in a minute.
If you’d like to email me about something other than ball tampering, hit me at russell.jackson@theguardian.com
Russell will be here shortly but in the meantime, check out what Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis had to say about last night’s declaration and the ensuing chaos in Australian ranks:
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