Twitter Reactions: Nathan Lyon shines as Australia rule the roost

Australia has put themselves in the driver’s seat after the end of the 3rd day’s play in the 3rd and the final Test against South Africa at Adelaide.

Beginning the day at 307/6, Australia began on a shaky note, losing the centurion Usman Khwaja early in the day. The southpaw was trapped in front by Philander at the score of 145. Starc who was batting overnight chipped in with a useful half-century to propel the Australian score to 383 in their 1st innings, 124 runs ahead of the Proteas total. Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada were the most successful bowlers for the visitors bagging three wickets each.

South Africa got off to a worst possible start, losing Dean Elgar in the very first over of the innings caught by Steve Smith in the slip cordon but the duo of Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla were not ready to surrender the upper hand to Australia. Amla played some beautiful shots in his innings of 45 decorated with 6 fours and a solitary six. The prolific run-getter was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood while attempting a drive of a fuller length delivery and was caught by Matthew Wade behind the stumps.

After a 49 partnership from Duminy and Cook, the stylish left-hander was castled by off-spinner Nathan Lyon as there was a mini-collapse from the Proteas. From 131/2, the visitors slipped to 194/6 by the end of the day’s play, losing du Plessis, Bavuma and Abbott in the process. Nathan Lyon was the chief destructor for the hosts finishing the day with figures of 3/48, ably supported by Mitchell Starc who chipped in with 2/71.

With only 70 runs ahead, Australia would look to wrap up the South African innings pretty quickly on the 4th day morning and hope to chase down the total set by the visitors. If Australia does manage to win the Test, it will be their first Test win after suffering five crushing defeats on a trot.

Twitteratti was quite active throughout the day and certain tweets described the day’s play in the best possible manner.

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/802470167120777217