Australia Vs South Africa Series – 4th Test: Day 1 Summary & Analysis

1.   This was the 1^st day of the 4^th and last test match of this series. South Africa are leading this series by 2-1 and did not change their squad for the last test. Australia on the other hand had to insert three players in their team after the ball tempering incident forced Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to get a ban for Cricket Australia.

2.   South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia were looking for an early wicket but they did not get any as the South African batsman shared strong partnerships.

3.   Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram shared a 53-run partnership before Lyon dismissed Elgar and Sayers took the catch to send him back to the pavilion.

4.   Australia expected another wicket at this time but it did not come easy as Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram shared an 89-run partnership and only then the mighty hash was removed by Cummins.

5.   The mighty ABD joined Markram as both batsmen shared a 105-run stand to put South Africa on top. Markram meanwhile, reached 150 a fine innings for sure.

6.   Markram was then removed by Cummins as he edged out to Marsh. South Africa has scored 247 runs for the loss of 3 wickets at this point and were surely ahead of Australia.

7.   Faf du Plessis, the South African had to score and break the shackles of his bad form but Cummins accurate bowling did not allow him to do that as he got out on a golden duck.

8.   The day was coming to an end and South Africa were still 4 wickets down for 299 runs when the debutant Sayers struck twice in his over as he sent the mighty ABD and Rabada back to the pavilion in a jiffy.

9.   Australian bowlers were now looking threatening as they attacked the South African batsman with full force. However, Tim Bavuma and Quinton De Kock batted sensibly and saw the day off for a score of 313 with 4 wickets in hand.

10.   South Africa are all set for a big total but only if Australia does not claim early wickets.

11.   Day 2 is surely going to be exciting. That is it for now; Join us tomorrow for some more action.

D Elgar

AK Markram

HM Amla

AB de Villiers

F du Plessis (c)

T Bavuma

Q de Kock

VD Philander

KA Maharaj

K Rabada

M Morkel

JA Burns

MT Renshaw

UT Khawaja

Peter Handscomb

SE Marsh

MR Marsh

TD Paine (c) (Wkt)

PJ Cummins

MA Starc

NM Lyon

JR Hazlewood