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South Africa vs Australia 2018: 2nd Test, day 2 - 5 things we learnt from the day

South Africa v England - Second Test: Day Three

A resplendent AB de Villiers lifted South Africa from the abyss they were in after Mitchell Marsh wrecked the backbone of their middle-order and took them to a 20 run lead in a fabulous display of batsmanship at Port Elizabeth.

A Dean Elgar-Hashim Amla stand of 88 runs nearly lifted South Africa to a lead but one wicket led to another, and then another.

Just when it seemed like Mitchell Marsh's twin strikes - accounting for Faf du Plessis and Theunis de Bruyn - seemed like the final nail in the coffin, AB de Villiers sprung to life and put on a spirited, unbeaten 36 run stand to wither out some aggressive Australian bowling. A bigger lead awaits if Australia cannot find ways to counter the Superman.


#5 Rabada frustrates Australia

South Africa v Australia - 2nd Test: Day 1
Rabada weathered the storm as a nightwatchman and frustrated the Aussies

Kagiso Rabada has a unique record. He has never been dismissed on a particular day when he has walked in to bat as a nightwatchman.

This virtually means that every time he is called upon to bat out a day, Rabada has been successful. He not only extended the record at Port Elizabeth but also made some useful runs on day 2.

Batting alongside Dean Elgar, Rabada unfurled some exquisite cover drives to irritate the Aussies who were looking to bring Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers to the crease early on day 2. Rabada, though, was in the mood to make some runs and made 29 of them before he chopped Cummins onto the stumps.

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