Rabada rocks Australia middle order
Under scrutiny following that unsavory incident in the first game, David Warner made a half-century but Australia slipped in the second session against South Africa to go to tea on 170-6 on day one of the second Test on Friday.
Warner was out for 63 as South Africa came back with five wickets in the afternoon following a solid opening session for the tourists. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was responsible for that big comeback, taking three wickets in the space of two overs just before tea.
Rabada also may have further stoked the lingering animosity between the teams after appearing to intentionally bump into Steve Smith in his follow-through after dismissing the Australia captain.
Warner and Cameron Bancroft put on 98 for the first wicket after Australia chose to bat first in Port Elizabeth.
Bancroft fell on the brink of lunch for 38. Usman Khawaja (4), Warner, Smith (25), Shaun Marsh (25) and Mitchell Marsh (4) were out after lunch to turn the tide in South Africa’s favor.
Rabada returned 3-67 with that deadly late spell and Vernon Philander had 2-13.
Australia vice-captain Warner was the centre of attention in the series opener in Durban after his ugly confrontation with South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock on a staircase leading to the teams’ dressing rooms. Both received fines and disciplinary sanctions from the International Cricket Council.
Warner was back in the spotlight, coming through a tricky opening spell when the tourists scored just 18 runs in the first 13 overs after winning the toss. They picked off with Warner accelerating by hitting nine fours.
PORTELIZABETH:
Brief scores (Tea, Day 1): Australia first innings 170/6 in 53.5 overs (C Bancroft 38, D Warner 63, V. Philander 2-13, K Rabada 3-67) v South Africa.