Wickets tumble in a heap in first Test

Perth - South Africa lead by 102 runs against Australia

South Africa overcame the loss of star paceman Dale Steyn to another shoulder injury to produce a stunning comeback on the second day of the opening Test against Australia in Perth on Friday.
In reply to South Africa's 242, Australia were cruising at 158 for none early on day two, but then lost all 10 wickets for just 86 runs to lead by only two after the first innings.
At stumps on the second day, the visitors were 104 for two, an overall lead of 102 and arguably in the favoured position in the match, which seemed unthinkable 24 hours earlier.
Dean Elgar was on 46 and JP Duminy was on 34. Tha pair had added 59 after the Proteas lost two early second innings wickets, but their remarkable fightback was soured by news that Steyn would miss the remainder of the series.
Meanwhile, the playing future of Steyn appeared in grave doubt with the cricketer expected to need surgery on his troublesome right shoulder as he faces the prospect of being sidelined for at least six months.
Steyn, who first hurt his shoulder late last year, aggravated the problem before lunch on the second day. The 33-year-old right-armer had just bowled the fourth ball in his 13th over when he clutched at the shoulder and left the field.
Scans at a local hospital revealed a fracture in his right shoulder and he will return to South Africa for possible surgery at the conclusion of the Test. Team doctor Mohammed Moosajee said Steyn was likely to be sidelined for at least six months.
But in his absence, Vernon Philander (4-56), Kagiso Rabada (2-78) and debutant spinner Keshav Maharaj (3-56) exposed the home side's batting frailty. Philander said the loss of Steyn motivated the Proteas.
"We had a job in hand to get the Aussies out as cheap as possible and it was a job well done by the rest of the bowlers," said Philander.
Philander said he was also keen to atone after his no-ball cost the Proteas the early wicket of Warner on the first day.
Australia, who were in total control before Warner fell, then lost four wickets for just 23 runs.
Warner said the collapse continued a frustrating trend of middle order collapses for the Australians. "I feel there has been a trend for 12 or 18 months and it is tough to see as an opening batter when we fall away that easily.
"We have to knuckle down as a batting unit and build partnerships. "A few of us probably have to look at ourselves in the mirror and say why did we play those shots?," he said of a collapse that included four ducks. Warner has 768 runs in Tests in Perth at 96 apiece and his opening partnership with Shaun Marsh (63) was a record for Australia against the Proteas at the ground.
The dashing left-hander appeared certain to score his fourth Test century at the venue, but was caught at first slip by Hashim Amla and his dismissal sparked a remarkable period of play.
Just eight runs later, Steyn left the field mid-over, after reinjuring his troublesome right shoulder in an around-the-wicket delivery to Usman Khawaja. One run later, Khawaja joined Warner back in the pavilion when he was clean-bowled by young paceman Rabada for four.
South African hopes were further boosted when Australian captain Steve Smith was the victim of a highly contentious lbw decision for a duck.
Smith advanced well down the wicket to Maharaj and was struck on the knee roll.
He was visibly shocked to be adjudged out by veteran umpire Aleem Dar, who has already made a number of controversial decisions in the match.
The Australian skipper called for a decision review, which showed the ball just clipping the outside of the stumps, which is out under new rules introduced recently.
Marsh was then the fourth Australian to fall, trapped lbw by Philander for 63.
He failed to get the decision overturned and cost his side their second and last decision review, a move which came back to haunt them when Peter Nevill (23) appeared to be incorrectly given out caught by umpire Dar.