Anrich Nortje has loved belated reward for his spell of quick bowling that left David Warner gobsmacked and battered.
The South African paceman was on a hat-trick when he bowled Travis Head and Warner early on day three of the Boxing Day Test on the MCG.
Immediately after lunch the day earlier than, Nortje had unleashed a four-over spell towards Warner and Steve Smith that earned widespread reward.
He had two of Test cricket’s greatest batsmen ducking and weaving as he routinely hit 150km/h and bowled as quick as 155km/h.
“That’s the fastest spell I’ve ever faced in my Test career. That was extraordinary,” Warner instructed the Seven Network earlier than play on Wednesday.
“And in this heat, to just keep coming in, ball after ball, delivering 150-plus – you see there, my (bat) handle went backwards.
“It was superior stuff from him … us as batsmen, now we have to attempt to negate that.”
Warner was hit on the hand and on the helmet, with the Australian stars doing well not to be blasted out.
“You know what’s coming at you, the toughest factor (is) attempting to get ready to both pull it, or get out of the way in which,” he mentioned.
“As you noticed, I bought ‘lidded’ – I am unable to bear in mind the final time I bought lidded in a recreation.”
It ended up being a torrid day for Nortje, who deserved a lot more than his solitary wicket on day two.
Immediately after his fine bowling spell, the spider cam walloped him as he was fielding.
He also one of several players who needed treatment for cramp in the brutal heat.
But on Wednesday, Nortje bowled Head for 51 with an outstanding delivery.
Then Warner resumed his innings on 200 after having to leave the field in distress the afternoon before.
Warner left as quickly as he had returned, Nortje cleaning him up with a spearing full toss that ricocheted off his pads onto the stumps.
That gave the South African three wickets, with Australian captain Pat Cummins surviving the hat-trick ball.
