South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test - Who Said What

Australia comprehensively won the first of the four-match Test series by 118 runs against South Africa and began the tour on a winning note. It was a complete team performance by the visitors as they never allowed their opponents to make a comeback. Mitchell Starc was at its brutal best when the ball started reversing and just skittled the lower order for almost nothing. However, the team from down under have now taken the lead of 1-0 and would love to conitnue in the same vein during the series.

After opting to bat first, Australia posted 351 runs in their first innings courtesy the half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith and David Warner. Though Marsh was unfortunate to miss out on his ton by just 4 runs, his knock gave the visitors an edge in the game. South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals in their reply and then the tail crumbled in front of Starc which left AB de Villiers stranded on 71 as they were bundled out 162 only.

However, they stunningly made a comeback to bundle out their opponents for 227 in the second innings but the first innings lead of 189 set them a mammoth target of 417. The heroic ton from Aiden Markram (143) had injected a glimmer of hope for the home side but they were so far behind in the game and eventually lost the game by 118 runs. Quinton de Kock also batted well and scored 83 runs before falling last in the second innings.

South Africa have been left wanting in their own den now after losing the third Test against India in Johannesburg and soon have to regroup for the second Test match which will be played on March 9. Australia, on the other hand, is looking settled and would want to continue their dominance on the team from rainbow nation going forward on this tour.

Australian captain Steve Smith said,

Nice way to start, particularly against a quality opposition like SA. Really pleased with the way the boys played. Marsh deserved a hundred in the first innings. Tail contributed really well. They contributed a 130-odd which was the difference in the end. Really good game of cricket. Both are tough. Winning the toss and batting was ideal, probably the best of the conditions.

Reverse-swing played a part throughout the game. It was a hard-fought Test match. Aiden Markram played exceptionally well, Quinton de Kock played well. It was getting a bit nervous there. The new ball was probably the best time to bat. We just thought if we got one wicket, the way Starc bowls to the tail, it will happen very quickly.

Really well prepared. Our practice and our practice game before this Test match was spot on. No doubt, SA are a terrific side. They play well at home. No doubt they’re going to come hard against us in PE.

Man of the Match, Mitchell Starc said,

Nice to put a few in the right spot. To finish off the Test match like that in four and a bit days was very pleasing. Little bit of work to do with the new ball. As a bowling unit we’ve been doing well. The batsmen did well in the first innings to get to 350.

Could have batted better in the second innings. When it is reversing, it’s natural for me. Our group probably got stuck in two minds for the home summer. Contributing with the bat is always encouraging for the tail. Great contribution from the whole side.

Didn’t mind who took the final wicket. There was a bit of a joke among the boys that I would be taken off the attack while on a hat-trick.

South African captain Steve Smith said,

We gave probably 50 runs too many in the first innings. Credit to their tail how they batted along with Mitch Marsh. There were real opportunities for us to close it out. Mitchell Starc bowled beautifully to make sure the tail didn’t get many runs. There wasn’t enough partnerships for us. We just didn’t get enough runs in the first innings.

When you’re in a position of strength like Australia were on day 4, they generally blow you away quickly. Kesh was brilliant in this match. The character of the batters who got runs. De Bruyn and Markram were fantastic. And then Quinny there at the end.

In a big series like this, you want to step up against teams like Australia. Hopefully we can all chip in now. The biggest character of this team is that we’ll never go down without a fight.