The Proteas had a great day with the ball bowling Australia out for 212 on Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s. Australia fought back, restricting South Africa to 43-4.
Cloudy skies. A little dryness in the pitch. Swing and seam expected. Stuart Broad in a pre-match interview after the toss, agreed with Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl first.
It was an aggressive decision from the Proteas, with the strategy clear – bowl at Australia’s batting lineup when the conditions are the hardest to bat in. Slight early advantage to South Africa.
Australia took their time. They watched the ball carefully, not allowing the maidens from Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada to rattle them.
Jansen’s navigation was wobbly, seeking for the perfect line to utilize the swing on offer.
Rabada, however, found his radar cramping Usman Khawaja for space and nicking him off for a duck. Bedingham took an easy catch at first slip.
He struck again three balls later, nicking off Cameron Green for 4. Another crucial catch was taking in the slips, this time by Aiden Markram at second slip. Australia were 16-2 after 7 overs.
Labuschagne and Smith calmed the storm after 12 overs, Australia were 29-2.
It was obvious that Lungi Ngidi played his last Test match in August last year. He struggled a bit with his rhythm and finding a consistently dangerous length. He gave away some unnecessary freebies giving the Aussies a lifeline.
Giving Jansen a break and bringing him back in the 18th over was a master stroke by Bavuma. He got a crucial breakthrough just as Australia were starting to find some solidity. He nicked Labuschagne (17) to the keeper Kyle Verreynne. Australia were now 46-3 after 18 overs.
Just before Lunch South Africa got a little luck when Jansen picked up his second, Travis Head picking up a tickle down legside. Verryenne dove to his right to take an amazing catch.
Lunch was called with Australia on 67-4 after 23.3 overs. Kagiso Rabada finished with 2-9 (6 overs) and Marco Jansen 2-27 (7.2 overs).
The second session was more in Australia’s favour. Steve Smith brought up a half-century, and despite some scares, Webster supported him well. They put together a 79-run partnership.
The pair took Australia to 146-4 when Aiden Markram got the breakthrough with a bonus wicket. Smith (66) edged the ball to a juggling Jansen in the slips, the Aussies were now five down.
Webster brought up his second career half-century in 69 balls, despite surviving some close shaves early in his innings.
By Tea, it was 190-5 – Australia’s session.
After the break, the Proteas struck early, with Keshav Maharaj bowling Alex Carey who looked for a reverse sweep. Australia were now 192-6.
Rabada then got his third, bowling Pat Cummins for one, Australia were now 199-7. Rabada struck again, finding the edge of Webster’s wafted bat to pick up his 4th, Bedingham taking an easy catch at first slip. Australia were now 210-8. This wicket took Rabada past Alan Donald on the all-time wicket-takers list for South Africa in Test cricket in one less match.
Jansen then took his third when he bowled Nathan Lyon for a duck. Australia were now 211-9.
Australia got the perfect start when Mitchell Starc bowled Aiden Markram for a duck.
Rickelton was next to go, edging Starc for 16. SA were now 19-2.
The experiment of Wiaan Mulder at 3, did not pay off. He was bowled through the gate for 6 by Cummins. SA were now in trouble on 25-3.
This was Bavuma’s longest period at the crease trying to get off the mark, 31 deliveries, as the crowd roared when he ran a two. Hazlewood struck just 7 mins from the close of play, bowling Stubbs for 2. SA were now 30-4.
The Proteas ended the day on 43-4.
