UPDATE: Australia has suffered a crippling collapse in Porth Elizabeth, as Usman Khawaja’s overseas record was exposed by a rampant South Africa.
David Warner responded to his week from hell like a man on a mission, but after putting on 98 for the first wicket, the Australians fell in a heap to lose 6-72.
On a day of drama, Proteas ace Kagiso Rabada could be facing a stunning suspension after he failed to heed warnings from the match referee about behaviour and gave Steve Smith a heated send-off which ended with him physically brushing shoulders with the Aussie skipper.
Rabada has a track record of physical confrontations on the pitch.
Mitchell Marsh was also bumped a place down the batting order due to an upset stomach, but lasted only three balls anyway before he became Rabada’s third victim in two overs – 3-8 in six balls.
LIVE: Australia v South Africa in Port Elizabeth
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Australia were in major strife at 6-170 at tea on day one after electing to bat, with Tim Paine heaped with the responsibility of rallying the tail.
In a flash Smith and Shaun Marsh were trapped lbw by Rabada – and burnt reviews – before Mitchell Marsh nicked off to the raging big-man.
Rabada got in Smith’s face for a distasteful send-off and although he is unlikely to be suspended for the next Test, he has a shocking record and is now putting himself on the brink of a ban.
Under-siege Australian vice-captain Warner rolled his sleeves up in the second Test in Port Elizabeth and up against a fired-up South African attack relishing the seaming conditions, he produced a near faultless half century that showed to teammates that his head is back in the game.
Warner’s reputation took a battering in the wake of his stairwell bust-up with Quinton de Kock, but last night he dug in for an innings that only enhanced his standing as one of the world’s most fearless cricketers.
However, despite his tenacity it all ended for Warner on 63 as South African excitement machine Lungi Ngidi tore through him with a dynamite delivery which clipped the bails and left Australia in trouble at 3-117 – those three wickets falling for just 19 runs.
While Warner and the Australian side have been dealing with wider issues of on-field behaviour, No.3 Khawaja is under growing pressure to prove he is a man for all seasons.
Khawaja is now averaging just 24.5 from 13 Test matches away from home and with a tour of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates coming up later this year, time is running out for the Queenslander to lock down his position by firing in South Africa.
The 31-year-old still has another innings to make runs in Port Elizabeth and after a big century in the Sydney Test in January, Khawaja deserves the show of faith he’s been given.
However, the simple fact is selectors will need to be convinced that Khawaja has reformed his abilities against spin bowling to back him in as their No.3 against Pakistan.
Although the conditions are vastly different, Khawaja will make his case infinitely stronger if he can lift himself from a slow start and fire Australia to a series triumph.
Khawaja’s underwhelming record overseas is in stark contest to his average at home where he averages nearly 60.
Cameron Bancroft is also yet to completely solidify his place at the top of the order, although his 38 off 91 balls was tough-as-nails and did a job for Australia in difficult batting conditions.
Bancroft copped a pearler from Philander and is making inroads.
Smith won the toss and elected to bat, adamant that if Australia could get through a difficult early period, the pitch would flatten out nicely for a big first innings score.
It didn’t quite work out that way and after Australia got to lunch only one down at 1-98 – Bancroft falling in the over before the break – three wickets fell in quick succession.
Warner was the massive wicket, and South Africa’s stunning decision to axe Morne Morkel and back-in 21-year-old Ngidi payed dividends.
Up to that point, the Australian opener appeared destined for an emphatic hundred that under the personal circumstances, would have ranked as one of his best.
Warner brought up his 50 from 69 balls, but those numbers didn’t reflect the work the left-hander needed to do to get himself in.
At the drinks break an hour into play, Warner was eight off 32 balls with no boundaries – a rare space for one of the game’s true entertainers to find himself in.
Warner’s reputation took a battering in the wake of his stairwell bust-up with Quinton de Kock, but last night he dug in for an innings that only enhanced his standing as one of the world’s most fearless cricketers.
However, his next 42 runs came in just 37 balls with eight fours.
Suddenly Warner turned on the after-burners and South Africa were suddenly playing catch-up.
