This week’s edition of Thunder around the Globe is headlined by a phenomenal effort by David Warner, with the Bull striking centuries in both innings of the Third Test in South Africa.
Warner has been outstanding over the last few weeks. His 145 runs last night helped Australia to a seemingly impregnable position, while also making him the first Aussie since Phillip Hughes to score centuries in both innings of a Test match.
Not surprisingly, Warner is Australia’s leading batsman in this series with 543 runs at an average of 90.50 with three hundreds and two half-centuries.
Clarke’s 161 not out in the first innings of the Third Test was an innings of pure guts and determination. The skipper had been under a bit of pressure heading into this match after a string of low scores, but that certainly didn’t show out in the middle.
Clarke withstood a hostile spell from the South African quicks, finishing with several bruises before he started to pile on the runs. As is often the case, his hundred was a big one and when the declaration came he was still unbeaten on 161 with 17 fours.
The rock at the top of the NSW batting order, Carters continued his excellent season with 63 in the first innings of the Bupa Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.
‘Carts’ is amongst the top five leading run scorers in this season’s First Class competition, with 676 runs to his name at an average of 61.45 with three centuries.
KP is continuing to mature as a cricketer and his 81 in the Bupa Sheffield Shield match against South Australia is an example of that.
Patterson arrived in the middle with the scoreboard reading 3-51. He then knuckled down to share in a 54 run fourth wicket stand with Ryan Carters before putting on 122 runs for the fifth wicket with Peter Nevill.
Daniel Hughes continues to knock on the selectors’ doors with his latest effort reaping an even 200 for the NSW Second XI against the ACT in Canberra.
It’s Hughes’ second consecutive double century in a Second XI match following a similar effort against Victoria at Blacktown International Sportspark.