Australia are on the verge of victory in the first Test against South Africa at Durban. They need just one more wicket to win, while the Proteas are still 124 runs behind the target of 417.
South African saw consecutive failures from their middle order in the Test match. That ensured an easy hold of the game to Australia. Had Aiden Markram not scored a fighting 143, the hosts would have lost the game in 4th day itself.
The fourth day was a lively one. The penultimate day of the Test match saw Australia's sharp performance with verbal wars.
South Africa, chasing a huge target, were struggling to put up a strong partnership. They had high hopes from the stalwart AB de Villiers, however, he failed too. His run-out, at that stage of the game, was a shock for South Africa.
What more shocking was the sent off by Aussie cricketers. David Warner's aggression was still digestible, but what Nathan Lyon did, attracted a lot of criticism.
The off-spinner, after knocking over the stumps to run out De Villiers, dropped the ball on the batsman as he ran to celebrate with his teammates. Looking closely at the video footage, it is clear that what he did was intentional.
Twitter wasn't very happy with Lyon's deed.
Pure cheek from Nathan Lyon ???????????? #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/vhuM4tgOHQ
— Josh Money (@JoshMoneyFOX) March 4, 2018
Piss poor effort by Lyon. No need to drop the ball on de villiers!
— Nathan Wapshott (@woppy07) March 4, 2018
Nathan Lyon showing some real class dropping the ball on AB after running him out. Not to mention the send of from Warner. Seems like a nice bunch of guys #SSCricket #SAvsAUS
— gerhard meyer (@gerhardm1983) March 4, 2018
@davidwarner31 and Nathan Lyon behaviour terrible there. Great wicket but seriously pull your heads in. #embarrassing #SAvsAUS @CricketAus
— Michael Johnson (@japanesejohno) March 4, 2018
Bad sportsmanship @NathLyon421. #pullyourheadin
— Ricky Dougall (@rickydougall) March 4, 2018
Thought that was naughty n uncalled-for from Nathan Lyon to chuck the ball on ABD. Initially I thought I was reading too much into it but the more I see the more I'm convinced. Would loved to b proved otherwise #SAvAUS
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) March 4, 2018
Very disrespectful of Nathan Lyon to drop the ball on de Villiers like he dd #SAvAUS
— Mister Squid (@FreedomSquid) March 4, 2018
Just saw replay of A. B. De Villers run out and as an Aussie supporter I am ashamed at the way our potential new test captain @davidwarner31 carried on. Not to mention Nathan Lyon dropping the ball on him when he’s on the ground @CricketAus #grub #neverchange #SAvAus
— Keith Trenerry (@Dashing_keith) March 4, 2018
Just saying, if Nathan Lyon had lobbed the ball at me while lying on the floor like he did AB de Villiers when he was run out, he might be picking leather fragments out of his poops for a few days. #SAvAUS
— Gareth White (@garethawhite) March 4, 2018
Nathan Lyon is really easy to dislike. Gloating then dropping the ball in your opponents face is not in the spirit of the game. If one of my players ever did that they wouldn’t be playing again for me.
— Andy Emmott (@AndyEmmott) March 4, 2018