How many other fast bowlers in history have improved as significantly with age as Starc? The man looks fitter, sharper and downright better than ever approaching his late 30s, still consistently bowling at 145+. It makes no bloody sense.

This entire day was a proper roller coaster, but we’ll take that every day of the week. Second new ball definitely did a lot more than the first, but I’d imagine facing up to it tomorrow morning will be very different. Still not convinced this batting lineup has it in them, but we’ve given ourselves a good chance.

This is pure, unadulterated greatness. Mitchell Starc, the man you are. 👑

Starc… WTFFFF

VINTAGE STARC!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely beautiful recovery. We’re back in it baby.

Well then…..

Lyon the 🐐

Might have already lost the game in the first session. Cheers, Patty.

I cannot see SA scoring less than 400 here. And that’s being conservative.

Erm…… what????

Some of this decisions we’ve made this series have been absolutely baffling. Bowling first with the sun shining and the pitch baking on an absolute batting paradise. Borderline incompetence.

Bowling first here was insanity. Absolutely nothing in it for the bowlers.

Good lord… no Smith. Essentially a completely different batting order. I’m terrified.

WE DROPPED BOLAND?????

My XI for Cape Town: -Head -Renshaw -Marnus -Smith -Green -Connolly -Carey -Cummins -Starc -Lyon -Boland

Sri Lanka 😳😳😳😳

It’s no wonder the state of test batting is where it’s at when you see some of these white ball wickets being produced. Will say though, it seems highly counterintuitive to play on roads when the next World Cup is in South Africa.

Watching this England/SL game… why waste a ground? May as well play on an actual highway with stands on the side. And while you’re at it, replace bowlers with bowling machines. May as well.

As much as we’d like to say it is, the state of our batting is so bad, Marnus has looked like one of our better batters this series. Seems to have some mental block, would still give him another test. Because who else?