Coming into the first Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, the Proteas had been all the time 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 positively seemed suited to the seamers on a cloudy morning.
As it turned out, Temba Bavuma (38) and Kyle Verreynne (64) had been the solely batsmen to place up some resistance in the first innings, however in the finish, South Africa completed on 152 all out, with many wickets falling to very common deliveries.
The Proteas’ bowlers did an honest job to maintain South Africa in the Test as they bowled the hosts out for 218, with Kagiso Rabada (4-76) and Marco Jansen (3-32) impressing.
However, the much-maligned SA batting lineup crumbled as soon as once more, with Sarel Erwee, Dean Elgar and Rassie van der Dussen all dismissed cheaply as the Proteas had been left in dire straits at 5-3 at the begin of their second innings.
Bavuma (29) once more put up some resistance with Khaya Zondo, however earlier than tea, a number of fast wickets fell as the Proteas had been left reeling at 66-7 – having introduced the scores degree, though that wasn’t any comfort.
The truth of the matter is that Australia will probably be anticipated to wrap up the innings after which shortly knock off the wanted runs in the closing session, finally condemning SA to a humbling defeat inside two days.
There will probably be huge questions that persist about the Proteas’ brittle batting lineup and underperforming prime order, significantly contemplating in-form gamers equivalent to Ryan Rickleton and Tony de Zorzi weren’t picked for this collection.
The second Test begins on Boxing Day, with the Proteas needing to resolve lots of points in very fast time.
You can take a look at the first Test scoreboard here
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Before the begin of this opening Test, Proteas captain Dean Elgar had described the alternative to play in Australia as ‘surreal’ and a ‘privilege’.
Elgar had additionally admitted that it was time for the batters to place up their palms up with sturdy performances in the collection.
“I think all the batters have to stand up,” he added. “It’s been a 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
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
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