South Africa claimed perhaps their most famous victories by winning the first Test by 177 runs. Australia battled hard scoring 361 in their second innings. Khawaja 97 and Nevill 60*. The undoubted star was Kagiso Rabada with 5-92, this chap is a superstar in the making. South Africa snapped Australia's 18 match unbeaten run at home. The last home defeat was in 2012, also at the WACA and also to South Africa. For Australia it will a very bitter loss. Dominated the fist 4 sessions only for the wheels to totally fall off. Bearing in mind South Africa sans de Villiers, lost Steyn and their star batsman Amla only scored 1 and yet South Africa won by a massive 177 runs. Maharaj was probably the unsung hero for South Africa bowling 40 overs in the second innings going at only 2 rpo, comfortably out bowled Lyon, who posed no threat at all. Wouldn't be surprised if du Plessis got influenced to play the SLA after years of playing with Dhoni and Jadeja...
Australia have called up Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson t for the second Test, Shaun Marsh out with broken finger. South Africa have called up Dwaine Pretorius to replace Dale Steyn.
Big questions for Australia heading to Hobart, team configuration and what kind of surface will they want. If it's a green seamer I can't see Australia having chance against this South African seam attack. Australia have issues with bowling as well, Starc is a shoe in, but Hazlewood, Siddle and Marsh aren't much threat bowling gentle medium pace...
Author
Topic: Australia vs South Africa Test series (Read 69105 times)