AB de Villiers scored a majestic century and had good support from the tail on Sunday as South Africa took a first-innings lead of 139 in the second Test against Australia.
De Villiers made unbeaten 126 before South Africa were all out for 382 shortly before the lunch break on the third day at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
Vernon Philander (36) and Keshav Maharaj (30) helped de Villiers in adding 84 runs for the eighth wicket and 58 runs for the ninth respectively as South Africa dominated the morning session.
The Australian fast bowlers, who had a heavy workload on the previous day, wilted under an assault in which de Villiers played some breathtaking strokes.
He hit 20 fours and a six in 146-ball innings. It was his 22nd Test century and his sixth against Australia.
The Proteas batsmen added 119 runs off 23.4 overs before a direct hit from the Aussie skipper Steve Smith ran out the last man Lungi Ngidi.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to AB de Villiers’ brilliant knock:
Awesome @ABdeVilliers17 💯 #SAvAUS
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) March 11, 2018
What a beast!!!! @ABdeVilliers17 #TonUp#SAvsAUS
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) March 11, 2018
Extremely special innings from AB, what a player and what an occasion to rise upto after the controversial 1st test. Test cricket at its best. #Abd #SAvsAUS
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 11, 2018
So good to watch @ABdeVilliers17 in full flight. Absolute legend of the game and always makes it look so easy.! #SAvsAUS
— David Miller (@DavidMillerSA12) March 11, 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
The "invincible" @ABdeVilliers17 remains not out on 126 as his team fold but not before taking a 139 run lead against 🇦🇺.
The opposition bowlers are yet to dismiss him this series 🙌😎#PlayBold #SAvAUS— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 11, 2018
AB de Villiers once again rose to the occasion when his team needed him the most #SAvAUS #2ndTest pic.twitter.com/t2YprU4nrr
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 11, 2018
What a 100 @ABdeVilliers17
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) March 11, 2018
There are players you want to see doing well whoever they are playing against or for. @ABdeVilliers17 is one of them. You just feel happy for him. What a player!!! #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/b5GsCN0PlK
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 11, 2018
Brilliant century from @ABdeVilliers17. And gets there with an upper cut! I don't think there is a cricket lover in the world who doesn't admire him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 11, 2018
What an innings! What a player! Take a bow @ABdeVilliers17 🇿🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/yuZu8mrE9L
— ICC (@ICC) March 11, 2018
Century for @ABdeVilliers17! One of his very best in Test cricket. Bat on, make this a match-winning one. #SAvAUS
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) 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
First Test hundred for AB de Villiers since the first week of 2015. He's well and truly back. #SAvAUS
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) March 11, 2018
Driving, cutting, pulling, hooking, rocking and rolling, @ABdeVilliers17 has turned this Test on its head
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 11, 2018
AB de Villiers has been South Africa's highest scorer in 5 of the 10 Test innings since his comeback. Impact. #SAvAus
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 11, 2018
Excellent innings by @ABdeVilliers17. 126 from 146 balls, 20x4s, 1×6.#ProteaFire #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/GrrT4xo31v
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 11, 2018
When AB de Villiers gets going, the opposition is on backfoot #SAvAUS #2ndTest pic.twitter.com/k1gaBHS7DH
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 11, 2018
