Coming into the primary Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, the Proteas have been at all times going to be underdogs, and issues instantly turned in opposition to them when Australia gained the toss and opted to bowl first. The pitch was coated with a heavy layer of inexperienced grass, and definitely regarded suited to the seamers on a cloudy morning.
As it turned out, Temba Bavuma (38) and Kyle Verreynne (64) have been the one batsmen to place up some resistance within the first innings, however ultimately, South Africa completed on 152 all out, with many wickets falling to very common deliveries.
The Proteas’ bowlers did a good job to maintain South Africa within the Test as they bowled the hosts out for 218, with Kagiso Rabada (4-76) and Marco Jansen (3-32) impressing.
However, the a lot-maligned SA batting lineup crumbled as soon as once more, with Sarel Erwee, Dean Elgar and Rassie van der Dussen all dismissed cheaply because the Proteas have been left in dire straits at 5-3 firstly of their second innings.
Bavuma (29) once more put up some resistance with Khaya Zondo (36*), however earlier than tea, a bunch of fast wickets fell because the Proteas have been left reeling at 66-7 – having introduced the scores degree, though that wasn’t any comfort.
Ultimately, the guests have been dismissed for 99, successfully sealing the end result as Australia solely wanted to knock off 34 runs.
As some comfort for the Proteas, Rabada did sensationally take 4 quickfire wickets (4-14) to inflict some scars on the Australia prime order, however it may possibly’t gloss over the tip end result.
There shall be large questions that persist concerning the Proteas’ brittle batting lineup and underperforming prime order, notably contemplating in-kind gamers resembling Ryan Rickleton and Tony de Zorzi weren’t picked for this sequence.
The second Test begins on Boxing Day, with the Proteas needing to resolve a variety of points in very fast time.
You can examine out the primary Test scoreboard here
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Before the beginning of this opening Test, Proteas captain Dean Elgar had described the chance to play in Australia as ‘surreal’ and a ‘privilege’.
Elgar had additionally admitted that it was time for the batters to place up their arms up with robust performances within the sequence.
“I think all the batters have to stand up,” he added. “It’s been a little bit of a speaking level that’s surrounded our batting unit of late. Again I’ve by no means shied away from it and it’s time for the boys to stand up. It’s time for myself personally to actually put my hand up and make a large name and make a large play for us.
“In saying that we have a really talented group, they’re just a little bit inexperienced when it comes to Test cricket. But that’s okay. They don’t have a lot of baggage again coming into this series. They’re massively talented and they just need to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way,” concluded Elgar.
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PROTEAS TEST SQUAD AGAINST AUSTRALIA(*99*)
Dean Elgar (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Six Gun Grill Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
South Africa Test Tour to Australia Itinerary
Four-day Tour Match
09 – 12 December
Cricket Australia XI drew with South Africa – The Allan Border Field, Brisbane
Tests
17 – 21 December
Australia vs South Africa – The Gabba, Brisbane
26 – 30 December
Australia vs South Africa – MCG, Melbourne
04 – 08 January
Australia vs South Africa – SCG, Sydney
The Proteas squad. Photo: Twitter