David Warner struck a century and Michael Clarke was bounced to hell and back as Australia reached 2-195 at tea on day one of the Test series decider against South Africa.
Warner, critised in the lead-up by Proteas skipper Graeme Smith and slapped with punishments by both the ICC and Australia for controversial remarks on the opposition’s bowling in the second Test, let his bat do the taunting on Saturday in Cape Town.
Dale Steyn suffered a hamstring strain, but the Proteas are hopeful he will bowl again in the match.
Warner was magnificent in an eventful second session, finishing 121 not out alongside Clarke (22 not out) to put the tourists on top.
Clarke was peppered with a brutal barrage of bouncers from beanpole Morne Morkel, who struck him on the elbow and helmet.
The stoic skipper was regularly checked by doctor Peter Brukner and physio Alex Kountouris and went within a whisker of being dismissed on a handful of occasions.
It wasn’t pretty, but Clarke found a way to survive the pressure in his most impressive innings on the current tour.
The Proteas risk being batted out of the game if they do not capture quick wickets in the final session on day one, especially if Steyn does not return to the field.
Steyn held a catch to remove Alex Doolan (20) shortly after lunch, but was then unable to finish his 11th over.
The 27-year-old Warner scored 12, 115, 70 and 66 in his previous four innings on the current tour, but benefited from five dropped catches spread across the past two Tests.
On Saturday there were no lives as he charged toward a seventh Test ton in 104 balls.
The South Africans were sure they had removed Warner for 95 in the 39th over and reviewed a confident caught-behind appeal that had been turned down.
But replays showed the ball glanced Warner’s hip.
Both sides made two changes for the all-important clash, Australia selectors dropping Shaun Marsh and Peter Siddle for Shane Watson and James Pattinson.
Watson will bat at No.6 in the reshuffled order, with Clarke back at second drop in the absence of Marsh.
Steyn was taken off after an ineffective two-over opening spell, but returned later in the first session and dismissed Chris Rogers for 25.