07 November,2016 01:10 PM IST | | Agencies
SA close-in fielder takes just 0.264 seconds to react to a David Warner push to cause one of the finest run outs in history of Test cricket at Perth
Australia's David Warner is run out by a direct hit from SA's Temba Bavuma (inset) for 35 in Perth yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Australia's David Warner is run out by a direct hit from SA's Temba Bavuma (inset) for 35 in Perth yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Perth: Emerging South African paceman Kagiso Rabada claimed three crucial wickets as South Africa closed in on victory against Australia on the fourth day of the opening Test in Perth yesterday.
Set an intimidating victory target of 539, the home side were wobbling on 169 for four at stumps and facing a potential record defeat against South Africa. Usman Khawaja was on 58 and Mitchell Marsh on 15, with South Africa's unbeaten record at the ground set to be extended.
But the highlight of the day was probably the extraordinary piece of fielding by the diminutive Temba Bavuma, who removed the dangerous David Warner for 35 to end an opening stand of 52. Warner dropped the ball in front of him and set off for a quick single, but Bavuma pounced from cover and unleashed a powerful throw while horizontal and still in mid-air. It rattled the stumps at the non-striker's end with Warner centimeters out of his ground.
A screen grab of airborne SA fielder Temba Bavuma all set to throw the ball which would eventually run out Australia opener David Warner. Courtesy/channel 9
As expected the media lapped it up. In the commentary box, Shane Warne had no doubt that it was one of the finest run outs he had seen. ESPN Cricinfo, the popular cricket website said, "What can you do in 0.264 seconds? Type one word? Shrug your shoulders? Blink? If you're Temba Bavuma you can react to a push from David Warner's bat and pull off a piece of fielding that could be match-defining."
The dismissal set the stage for Rabada (3-49) to display his quality. Four balls later Shaun Marsh (15) was caught at second slip by Faf du Plessis off Rabada as Australia slumped to 52-2. Things appeared to get even darker for the hosts when new batsman Khawaja was given out caught behind first ball off part-time spinner JP Duminy. A decision review saved Khawaja when it showed the ball had glanced off his pad.
