AUS vs SA: David Warner's historic double century puts Australia in driver's seat

After ending the first day of the second Test on a high note, Australia continued their dominance even on the second day and put visitors South Africa on the back foot. Thanks to David Warner and his glorious double-century, Australia ended the second-day scoring 386/3 with a lead of 197 runs. But with two of their key players getting injured, the team will be under pressure moving forward.

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada provided his side with an early breakthrough on the first day when he dismissed Usman Khawaja. Warner and Marnus Labuschagne started the proceedings on the second day. They built up the innings well and put up a 54-run partnership for the second wicket but a mix-up between the duo led to Labuschagne’s dismissal as the in-form batter walked off after a run-out.

But what followed next was sheer dominance by the hosts. Warner and Smith joined hands to put up an emphatic 239-run stand for the third wicket and put their side in a supreme position. Though Smith struggled, Warner was quick in getting runs, as he score 144 runs in their 239-run stand before Smith walked off.

Warner, who was playing his 100th Test match, made the day memorable by notching up a century and then converting it into a double ton. Warner bagged his double century just after Smith’s dismissal and became the first-ever Australian cricketer to hit 200 in the 100th Test match. An ecstatic Warner burst into celebration on achieving the feat and jumped high in joy, but that did no good to him as he hurt his leg while landing and had to walk off the field retired hurt.

Injury concerns loom over both teams

Travis Head and Cameron Green carried the game forward thereon, but the latter walked off the field soon after incurring an injury to his finger. The all-rounder became the second Australian player to retire hurt in the game. Australia will be concerned ahead of the third day. With Mitchell Starc out of the game owing to his injury, Cameron Green was a crucial part of their playing combination.

South Africa too will be concerned as pacer Lungi Ngidi walked off the field after a cramp. Though Australia have lost just three wickets, two of their batters are hurt which is not a good sign as they aim to clinch the three-match series. Travis Head and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey will resume Australia’s innings on the third day and will be hoping for the timely recovery of Warner and Green, the two key players.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

Bull

— Joe Burns (@joeburns441) December 27, 2022

Love how @davidwarner31 just keeps fighting. What an incredible knock!! A special moment for him in his 100th Test #AUSvsSA

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) December 27, 2022

A double century for David Warner!

But his #OhWhatAFeeling jump comes at a cost! 😬#AUSvSA | @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/RqJLcQpWHa

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2022

Double hundred by David Warner - what an occasion to bring that up, in his 100th Test. pic.twitter.com/kdoLvlgYWN

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 27, 2022

When you consider that David Warner played for Australia in T20s before he'd even made his first-class debut, it's pretty extraordinary that he's reached 100 Tests before 100 T20Is. I don't think anyone expected that. #AUSvSA

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) December 27, 2022

💯th Test 🙌
8️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs and counting 🤩

The legend of David Warner continues 🫶#AUSvSA @DavidWarner31 pic.twitter.com/bxraq9m0Sl

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) December 27, 2022

David Warner gets a double century in his 100th Test match! Only the second player to do so!

It's been such a good knock and it came when he had been struggling to score in this format. Warner was averaging 20.61 in Tests this year. #AUSvsSApic.twitter.com/X3BpeD8Mpq

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) December 27, 2022

David Warner becomes the second batter after Joe Root to score 2⃣0⃣0⃣ on their 1⃣0⃣0⃣th Test 👏#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/bkKhywIafq

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) December 27, 2022

David Warner gets much more flak than he deserves for both 🏏 ing & non 🏏 ing reasons. He has a ODI WC, a T20 WC, IPL titles & a terrific test record to his name. A double ton on his 100th test despite cramps will shut a lot of people up. #AUSvsSA #WTC23

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) December 27, 2022

Poor form, lots of talk about his place in Test setup, heat at MCG, cramps - David Warner has overcome everything and scored 200* from 254 balls at a strike rate of 78.74 against Rabada, Nortje, Ngidi. pic.twitter.com/msC6xibVeD

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 27, 2022