SA vs AUS, 1st Test, Review: Australia continue to dominate against South Africa

Australia has ensured that they stay ahead in the race for No.2 position in the ICC Test ranking by defeating South Africa in the first Test. With this win, they carry on with their winning streak in South Africa and that haven’t lost a single Test in the Rainbow Nation post-1992. A spirited fightback from Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock couldn’t see the home team through as they lost by 118 runs.

After a dismal performance in the first innings, not many gave the Proteas side a chance in the game. All the hopes were shattered from the South African fans once they lost de Villiers and Faf du Plessis early in the innings. However, they got as close as they could ever get to the Australian target courtesy Markram and de Kock. They instilled a hope in the minds of fans but the brutality from Mitchell Starc ensured they don’t get through.

Australia blessed with the ‘Mitchell’ advantage

At one stage in the first innings, Australia was at 251 for the loss of seven wickets. It looked as if it would be tough for them to go past the 300-run mark. But then, it was to be the ‘Mitchell’ lads, Marsh and Starc who put out a fight and helped the team cross 300. While Starc got out just after surpassing 300, Marsh was not an easy nut to crack for the Proteas bowlers. He pushed the score further and also ensured that Australia crosses the 350 mark. However, he got out four runs before he reached the three-figure mark.

Although the Aussies had a formidable total of 351 on the board after the first innings, the bowlers had to deliver to have the upper hand. And that is exactly what they’ve done as they bundled Proteas out for just 162 taking a mammoth lead of 189. In addition to his contribution with the bat, Starc was all pumped up with the ball. He kept the batsmen on their toes with his nasty bowling and troubled the batsmen with reverse swing. Starc managed to pick five wickets in the innings giving his side the much-needed impetus.

But one man from the Proteas line-up who stood out and swam against the tide was AB de Villiers. He put up some great skills on display and his innings is a lesson for any upcoming youngster. He applied himself beautifully leaving the good balls and lashing out at the bad ones. ABD scored 71 runs and also carried his bat through the innings. However, he couldn’t find any support from the other end.

Take a bow – Markram and de Kock

After a good display in the first innings, the Aussies failed to replicate the same kind of success with the bat in the second innings. Cameron Bancroft top-scored in the innings with 53 and the Aussie tail was not as effective. Hence, they were bowled out for just 227 in the second innings. But with the lead, they had in the first innings, it was considered to be more than a par score. They set a massive target of 417 for the Proteas to chase.

Chasing anything above 400 in the fourth innings in one of the toughest tasks in Test cricket. The players are exhausted both physically and mentally and it is too much for an asking. It was the same case for South Africa. They were down to 49/4 and then 136/5 just in a few hours and the fans literally had no hopes left. Then came in the brilliance from Markram and de Kock. They showed some extraordinary grit to drive South Africa closer to the target. The way these two played made the South African camp believe that they had a chance to get there.

Markram scored a brilliant century and was complemented well by the wicketkeeper-batsman. However, yet again, it was the ‘Mitchell’ brothers who applied brakes on the Proteas innings. Marsh dismissed Markram while he was on 143. Starc quickly got rid of the tail ending the fourth day with four scalps and Australia required just one wicket to win.

Australia had to wait for a day to pick the last wicket

But, the team had to wait longer as the play was stopped due to bad light. de Kock was batting at one end on 81 while Morne Morkel was on the other end. The Proteas had literally no chance of winning. On the fifth day, the Aussies quickly finished off the proceedings after they dismissed de Kock on 83. South Africa lost the game by 118 runs giving Australia a lead of 1-0 in the series.

South Africa lost the crucial moments in the game. They failed to capitalize on the opportunities they got. However, the biggest positive the team will take with them is the performance of Keshav Maharaj. Furthermore, the form of QDK which was a huge matter of concern seems to be addressed as of now. They will like to put up a much tougher fight back in the second Test.

Brief Scores

Australia(1st Innings): 351/10 in 110.4 overs (Mitchell Marsh 96, Steve Smith 56, Keshav Maharaj 5/123)

South Africa(1st Innings): 162/10 in 51.4 overs ( AB de Villiers 71, Mitchell Starc 5/34, Nathan Lyon 3/50)

Australia(2nd Innings): 227/10 in 74.4 overs ( Cameron Bancroft 53, Steve Smith 38, Keshav Maharaj 4/102)

South Africa(2nd Innings): 298/10 in 92.4 overs (Aiden Markram 143, Quinton de Kock 83, Mitchell Starc 4/75)