Centuries from Warner and Labuschagne power Australia to 392-8 in the second ODI versus South Africa
It was a run-fest at Bloemfontein as Australia posted a mammoth score of 392-8 in the second ODI against South Africa. South African captain Bavuma might be regretting his decision to bowl first as Australian openers David Warner and Travis Head took full toll of some loss bowling from the South African new ball bowlers. The first two overs of the innings saw as many as five boundaries struck with Head hitting four of them, including three off Kagiso Rabada’s first over
Taken to the Cleaners
After his lead pacer went for 20 from his first two overs, Bavuma was quick to ring in a bowling change but after giving away just three runs from his opening over, Nortje was taken apart for 17 in his second with both Head and Warner hitting a six each. Warner who went into the series on the back of a string of low scores in the Ashes series was determined to do well in the series. The left-hander did not let the South African bowlers settle as he along with Travis Head continued the onslot and added 109 runs for the first wicket.
South Africa caught a break eventually in the 12th over when Head mishit a loft off Shamsi and saw David Miller complete an excellent catch running back from mid-on. The left-arm leg spinner struck for a second time a ball later when Mitchell Marsh missed an attempted reverse sweep and was dismissed LBW courtesy of a DRS review.
The English Way
In spite of losing back-to-back wickets Australia was in no mood to slow down as Labuschagne joined Warner and instantly displayed the nimble footwork from two nights ago as a ‘Concussion Substitute’. His battle against Shamsi had a bit of an edge to it with the batter looking to pull out the sweeps and the bowler mouthing his displeasure.
The two batters completed their centuries in double quick time after scoring fifties which propelled Australia’s total to 392-8. This was Warner’s 46th international century the most by an opener. The left-hander went past Sachin Tendulkar who scored 45 international centuries as an opener
