Watch: Anrich Nortje ripped through with the scalps of Travis Head and David Warner in consecutive deliveries, before coming close to completing a hat-trick.

Pace is pace. On day two, Nortje bowled what was, by Warner’s estimation, the fastest spell he’d ever faced in Test cricket. But bar the wicket of Steve Smith, it had gone without reward.

That changed on the morning of day three, however, as Nortje clean bowled Head, then Warner, in successive deliveries, before coming oh so close to taking a hat-trick as Pat Cummins just kept out a third straight delivery in a row.

There was nothing subtle or delicate about Nortje’s morning spell, as he charged in and bowled fast and straight.

Such was the speed he was bowling that he cleaned up a well-set Head, who had reached his half-century the ball before, and Warner, who arrived at the crease having scored a magical 200 before he had been forced to retire hurt on day two.

It was an exhilarating over of bowling and finished with Cummins leaping away from the ball but just managing to get his bat in the way to prevent Nortje claiming what would’ve been an electric hat-trick.

Watch: Anrich Nortje claims two-in-two

Head, bowled! Warner, bowled! Cummins…

Nortje almost nailed a hat-trick on the morning of day three! #PlayOfTheDay #AUSvSA | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/SNscXWv9aT

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2022

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