South Africa were put in to bat first on a beautiful green top at the Gabba and it was a horrid first session for the Proteas who were 84-4 at lunch of the 1st Test.
Dean Elgar suggested to us in his captain’s presser that a 6/5 split would be favoured as well as the option to bat first. He got what he wanted.
The surprise at the toss for some, was the selection of Khaya Zondo over the likes of in-form batters Heinrich Klaasen and Theunis de Bruyn – a player who many thought would be the replacement for Keegan Petersen. It was a poor start nonetheless by the Proteas.
The captain failed his inexperienced side. He was strangled down the leg side early which immediately put pressure on SA.
It took Erwee 19 balls to get his first runs, which was an early indication that he was willing to be patient and wait for his scoring options. Another 9 balls later, he scored his first boundary with a punch down the ground against Pat Cummins.
Cummins would be the one to take the visitors two down, dismissing Rassie van Der Dussen for 5, which brought out Temba Bavuma at 4.
SA were down three inside the 1st hour when Erwee edged to Gully.
Zondo didn’t last long either, he was dismissed lbw for a duck and SA were Down 4 for 27.
It was simple bowling from Australia. Simple lines and lengths that hassled the visitors’ top order. These batters were picked for their “experience” and it’s shocking to see how many times the Proteas lost wickets to balls they could have left.
If it was me, I’d rather risk it with youngsters who have proven they can convert at domestic level and be patient with them if they fail, rather than picking older more experienced players who haven’t proven they can convert domestically. But what do I know, I am just a fan.
Kyle Verreynne and Temba Bavuma showed the top order how to bat – positive when the risk was low, and cautious when basic good deliveries were bowled. A basic plan of running well between the wickets was implemented, although there were some scary moments when they tried to look for singles that were not there.
Verreynne ended the 1st session with 35 off 45 balls and Bavuma managed 21 off 44.
All-in-all, it was a terrible start to the first Test for the visitors, but an excellent partnership by Bavuma and Verreynne dampened the embarrassment.
