AUSTRALIA v SOUTH AFRICA, FIRST TEST, DAY ONE
SCORE: South Africa 152. Australia 5-145.
SUMMARY: Fifteen wickets fell on the primary day on the Gabba however the hosts completed marginally on prime. Australia’s tempo assault of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland ripped by way of the Proteas prime order to have the guests 4-27 earlier than wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne (64) led a restoration.
Nathan Lyon then turned on a spinning masterclass (3-14) to limit the guests. South Africa’s tempo assault is their power and Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje all took wickets of their first over to get the Proteas again in it.
The 117-run fourth-wicket stand by a rampant Travis Head (78no) and a composed Steve Smith (36) put Australia within the ascendancy earlier than two late wickets gave the Proteas hope.
MAN OF THE MOMENT: Travis Head: The counter-attacking innings by the left-hander modified the course of the primary day’s play and will but show the pivotal innings of this Test. Head got here in at 3-27 and launched an assault on the Proteas bowlers. One flick to the leg facet for six off Lungi Ngidi to deliver up his fifty was as daring because it was good.
KEY MOMENT: South Africa captain Dean Elgar stated earlier than the Test it was on him to take the lead and make large scores on this tour. His early dismissal for 3, to a leg-side strangulation off Mitchell Starc, opened the door for Australia they usually bashed it down. Elgar is one of the best and most skilled batter in his facet and his wicket will probably be prized greater than another on this Test sequence.
STAT OF THE DAY: 299. The variety of wickets Mitchell Starc has in Test cricket, putting him in seventh place on the all-time wicket taking record for Australia behind Brett Lee (310).
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Scott Boland must think Test cricket’s the easiest game ever invented” -former Australia captain Kim Hughes instructed ABC Radio,after Boland’s double-wicket maiden. Boland has 23 Test wickets for Australia at a median of 10.65.
