What a day it has been for the Aussies on Day 2 of the 2nd Test, particularly to Dave Warner who scored an tremendous double century before he retired hurt with on a high due to some leg cramps (lots of sprinting between the wickets) – following a series of poor performances as of late.
For a start, yes, there has been some mis-communication when Warner pushed for two runs after a mis-field by the Proteas but Marnus Labuschagne wasn’t so sure before he was run out for 14.
However, Warner stayed on where it’s about not just scoring big but also being a team player, as he built a huge new partnership with Steve Smith while reaping rewards with valuable runs on the board. Although he may have experienced a few leg cramps, but we know that sprinting is one of his usual strengths when running between the wickets at either end; he can also make up four runs without having to see the ball hit the rope.
Speaking of Smith, good to see him pile up the runs & backing up Warner at the other end before he was caught by Theunis De Bruyn on 85. Meanwhile, it’s been a tough day in the office from the Proteas on the field. Now there has been a bit of luck when we saw both Warner (cramps) & Cameron Green (got hit on the finger at 145 clicks by Anrich Nortje on 8) retire hurt, but it still doesn’t excuse their poor displays with the ball – having failed to limit Warner, Smith & even Travis Head.
Australia is on 386-3 going into Day 3 tomorrow with a the 197 run lead. We also would’ve loved to see Head finish off Day 2 with a quickfire 50, but we can wait a bit longer for that to happen on 48*, with keeper Alex Carey on 9*. Then they can look to declare at some point & bring the bowlers in again to try & finish the job at the MCG, even though there’s 1-2 players out there going through the pain barrier with a really painful finger right now.
