Australia v South Africa, 1st Test - 5 Talking Points

South Africa kick-started their campaign down under with a massive 177-run win in the opening Test at the WACA, Perth after the hosts Australia folded up for 361 on the final day during the improbable chase of 539 runs. The day began with the controversial leg before decision of Usman Khawaja off Rabada’s bowling.

Later on, South Africa began cleaning up the opposition lower order before Peter Nevill and Josh Hazlewood delayed the victory for the Proteas with a stubborn stand. However, their efforts were never going to be enough. It was an ideal Test match in every sense. Despite South Africa winning the match comfortably, there was no sense of any lop-sided contest for most of the game.

The first day was Australia’s. The second day saw South Africa bowl themselves back into the game. The third-day witnessed batting masterclass from JP Duminy and Dean Elgar while the fourth and the fifth day was all about Kagiso Rabada and his exploits.

1. Fiery Kagiso does it for Proteas:

South African supporters and skipper Faf du Plessis were left in a sort of a bothersome situation when bowling spearhead Dale Steyn popped his shoulder in the morning session on the second day. The slight insecurity after his absence could be justified. David Warner went slam-bang and made South Africa’s modest first inning total of 242 appear nothing.

But, Rabada, the most talked Proteas fast bowler among Australian fans, left the hosts in a helpless situation in the match with his searing display of fast bowling. The right-arm fast bowler snapped overall figures of 7/170 including a match–winning 5/92 in the second innings to help his team start their tour with an emphatic win. Talk about stepping in the absence of your pace bowling spearhead!

2. Nathan Lyon off-color:

Nathan Lyon, usually very successful at home, bowled a highly disappointing spell of 0/146 in the second innings underlining Australia’s poor bowling performance on the latter stages of the match. The off-spinner bowled 34 overs without any success and drew a bit of criticism for it.

With a tour of India scheduled in a matter of few months, the Australian camp has become really concerned with his on and off performances. Spin bowling legend Shane Warne, however, pointed out at the poor captaincy decisions by Steven Smith for the offspinner’s poor show.

Warne’s point is true in a sense that it was quite absurd to wait till the Lunch on day three to bring in Lyon into the attack against the well set Duminy and Elgar. Australia, if they want to come back in the next series, must ensure they use of Lyon properly.

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3. Mitchell Marsh lbw kicks off debate

The dismissal of Mitchell Marsh on the final day sparked another DRS debate after the day one controversy due to skipper Steven Smith’s leg before dismissal. The incident happened in the 63rd over when Kagiso Rabada trapped Marsh. Excited South Africans went up for an appeal which was eventually turned down.

But a confident Faf du Plessis went for a review and got the decision overturned. The fast swinging ball beat the bat and clipped the pad. The new DRS protocol which allows the umpires to give a batsman out if the ball is hitting 50 percent of the stumps made the decision go in favor of the Proteas.

Commentators Michael Clarke was unhappy and openly criticized the decision. The ironic fact here is that Taylor, who was a part of the ICC committee which made the DRS amendment earlier this year, was also speaking against the overturned decision.

Also read – AUS v SA, 1st Test Review: South Africa completes impressive win

4. Hazlewood and Nevill force half hour extension:

South Africa quickly began inching towards the win at the start of the day. Marsh’s controversial dismissal set the tone. Things became easier after off-spinner Duminy broke through with another big wicket. Usman Khawaja added 39 runs to his overnight score of 58 and was moving towards a century before he was trapped lbw when on 97.

The lower order could not sustain long enough as Starc and Siddle also departed for cheap scores. The match was as good as over. There was no way the match could be saved and the Proteas promised to wrap off the inning much before the Lunch session. But, wicketkeeper Nevill and Josh Hazlewood spoilt the fun for the South African fans slightly as the duo stitched a 65-run stand for the ninth wicket and delayed the victory.

It was a sort of frustrating time for the bowling side who found it difficult to separate the pair until part timer Bavuma intervened and had Hazlewood caught by Elgar at short cover. Thanks to their effort the umpires had to extend the Lunch session by half an hour consequently.

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5. South Africa prepare for Dale Steyn-less attack:

South Africa suffered a huge blow on the second day after Dale Steyn was taken off the field due to a shoulder injury. Scans later went on to reveal that he had fractured his right shoulder and had been consequently ruled out of the series.

This leaves Faf du Plessis and team with the task of playing without the pace bowling spearhead for the remainder of the series. The skipper had spoken about the importance of Steyn and his fitness and unfortunately he has to move ahead in the series without him.

The Proteas have a good option in Kyle Abbott who will most likely play as the third seamer in the next game at Hobart. Also, Rabada along with Philander has shown that there’s no big concern in the bowling department due to Steyn’s absence.