Dale Steyn tenderised Australia's batsmen before his fellow fast bowlers scythed through the middle order during a thrilling, and occasionally heated, first session on the second day in Durban. The Australians seemed set for an imposing total after surviving the first hour unscathed, but surrendered much of the high ground by losing four wickets after the drinks break - including three in the space of six deliveries - to lurch to lunch at 351 for 8.
Makhaya Ntini was the chief destroyer, removing Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson with consecutive deliveries, but much of the credit for South Africa's second day revival goes to Steyn. He produced his most ferocious burst of the home-and-away series against Australia during an hour-long spell that rattled the touring batsmen and paved the way for his teammates to strike. In the over before the first drinks break, Steyn struck Michael Hussey (50) a fearsome blow on the helmet, prompting a vitriolic exchange which ended with the generally mild-mannered batsman stomping down the pitch after his adversary. Hussey's off-stump was uprooted by a full, angling Morne Morkel delivery in the next over, and the Australian slide had begun.
Australia largely had themselves to blame for their capitulation in the second hour. Hussey and Marcus North batted stoically to add 28 runs, but shot-selection fell away thereafter and wickets tumbled at a rapid clip. North was the first of the soft dismissals, caught at square leg attempting an extravagant, Hashim Amla-esque flick off the bowling of Jacques Kallis for 38.
