During the second Test of Australia’s tour of South Africa at Port Elizabeth, AB de Villiers scored his 22nd Test century to strengthen the position of his team as they now stand fit to win the match, unless Australia’s lower order put on display a game-changing performance.
de Villiers and Vernon Philander resumed Day 3 on 263-7. The duo shared an 84-run partnership for the eighth wicket as Australia were left clueless in the morning. Philander (36) got out to Pat Cummins in the 109th over. In the same over, de Villiers brought up his 22nd Test century with an innovative upper cut.
This was de Villiers’ 13th Test century, the first one in the last three years. By this time, de Villiers had set his eye in in the middle. To the surprise of many, he shifted gears at will post his century. Within no time, de Villiers had shifted from modes from Test to T20.
With Keshav Maharaj at the other end, Steven Smith opened the field for de Villiers, a tactic which fell flat for the Australians. The open spaces on the ground allowed de Villiers to accumulate more runs, thus increasing their lead in the first innings. He ended up scoring 126* (146) with the help of 20 fours and a six in an innings which will be remembered for a long time.
In what came as a surprise for many and especially the Australians, Maharaj scored a dominating 30 (24) with the help of three fours and two sixes. His shots were too good for a No. 10 batsmen as he played them against the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa scored 382-10 in 118.4 overs. They gained a brilliant 139-run lead which would turn out to be a match-winning one. Australia finished Day 3 at 180-5 in 63 overs, gaining a 41-run lead. Mitchell Marsh (39*) and Tim Paine (5*) are battling it out for the visitors.
Watch how Twitterati reacted on de Villiers’ century:
Big occasion beings out the best in @ABdeVilliers17. Hope stories about him quitting Test cricket at untrue
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 10, 2018
What a 100 @ABdeVilliers17
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) March 11, 2018
Among the finest counter-attacking centuries — and under huge pressure — I've seen. In this form, who's better than @ABdeVilliers17 I ask?
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 11, 2018
Most Test centuries v Australia in last 10 years:
6 AB de Villiers (28 inns)
6 Virat Kohli (27 inns)#SAvAus— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 11, 2018
Awesome @ABdeVilliers17 💯 #SAvAUS
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) March 11, 2018
What an innings! What a player! Take a bow @ABdeVilliers17 🇿🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/yuZu8mrE9L
— ICC (@ICC) March 11, 2018
What a superstar AB de Villiers truly is. Leaving statistics to one side, I still think he's the best and most dynamic batsman in world cricket. #SAvAUS
— Adam White (@White_Adam) March 11, 2018
Seems @ABdeVilliers17 is playing one of the great Test innings in what’s turning out to be an enthralling series SA Vs Aus: https://t.co/EnLjDZphPB
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 10, 2018
First there are Good batsmen 👍
Then there are Best Batsmen 👌
Then comes AB de Villiers 🔥@ABdeVilliers17#LivingLegend #SAvAUS— Keyur Mestry (@KeyurMestry) March 10, 2018
What an absolutely brilliant innings from AB de Villiers. SA have hot a handy lead. Looks a good test match on offer #SAvsAUS
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 11, 2018
Kya Banda hai yaar! @ABdeVilliers17 ABCanDoEverything… #AUSvsSA
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 11, 2018
Once again @ABdeVilliers17 is showing why he is in a different league…..
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 2, 2018
There are 2 types of batsmen. AB de Villiers & the rest.
I’ve always believed it this way #ABD #TheBestever— Pradhyoth (@Pradhyoth1) March 10, 2018
When AB de Villiers gets going, it's tough for the opposition captain to set field. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/bbxvENMoHK
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 11, 2018
