Australia and South Africa faced off in the first Test of the three-match contest that started on December 17, Saturday and it was the former who dominated the game right throughout, given that the match ended within 2 days as the pitch favoured the Aussie pacers. Eventually, the Proteas were bowled out for a cheap score of 99 in their second innings, setting a meagre target of 34 to the Baggy Greens.
The Pat Cummins-led team were brimming with fire right from Day 1 and eventually managed to bowl out South Africa for 152, with Kyle Verreynne standing out with his hard-fought 64. However, it was not enough as the Australians managed to gather 218 runs in their first innings, taking a lead of 66 runs.
In return, the Proteas were bowled out for a cheap score on the back of a four-for from skipper Cummins and two-fors from Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. The South Africans lacked confidence and were staring at a humiliating defeat early in the series, much to the dreariness of the South African fans. However, even the meagre looked difficult to get as the Australians lost 4 wickets as they chased down the target on Day 2, eventually taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
All the batters have to stand up: Dean Elgar
However, the South African skipper Dean Elgar, the left-handed batter had other ideas prior to the start of the match. The skipper claimed that the batters would be expected to stand up for the team and play aggressively, eventually putting Australia on the back foot. On the contrary, the Proteas batters rather struggled against a fiery Aussi pace battery.
“All the batters have to stand up. It’s been a bit of a talking point that’s been surrounding our batting unit of late. Again, I’ve never shied away from that. It’s time for the guys to rise up, time for myself personally to put my hand up and make a massive play for us. We’ve got a really talented group, they are just a little inexperienced when it comes to Test cricket. They don’t have a lot of baggage coming into the series. They just need to take the opportunities when they come their way,” Elgar was quoted as saying prior to the start of the match.
As things stand, let us take a look at a few Twitter reactions to Australia’s crushing win against South Africa:
South Africa 99 all out lol.#AUSvSA
— Elliot Alderson. (@rovvmut_) December 18, 2022
15 all out loading #AUSvSA
— thaufik ?? (@thaufik51606101) December 18, 2022
Kya hi pitch bnayi hai ?
33 wickets down in less than 2 days— Lefty (@lefty_here_) December 18, 2022
2 Days Test Match hmmmm…?#AUSvSA
— Rodony ? (@Rodony_) December 18, 2022
Australia: don't do a Thunder #AUSvSA
— Tim (@TimothyJ_23) December 18, 2022
See, it's times like this I wish Rahul Dravid played for Australia. He'd turn this into a 5 day Test #AUSvSA
— Pat McCaffrie (@PatMcCaffrie) December 18, 2022
Winning at Gabba is not everyone's cup of tea.#AUSvSA
— Rohan Gangta (@rohan_gangta) December 18, 2022
Just bowl another 28 wides. Don't let the batsman score at all ? #AUSvSA
— Matt (@Mattys123) December 18, 2022
Bhai ball bat ko hi touch ni ho rhi pichla 4-5 overs ma??#AUSvSA Bowlers gameee
— Furqan bhatti (@Furqanb9) December 18, 2022
India jeet gayi Bangladesh se but asli maaza aa raha Australia v South Africa me jaha 2 din me match over hone wala hai. Started Yesterday Ends Today ???? @vikrantgupta73 @mohsinaliisb @razi_haider @SushantNMehta
— Rishabhraj (@Rishabh80271275) December 18, 2022
