Warner, Starc give Australia the upper hand
Mitchell Starc, returning from injury, took four wickets and David Warner smashed an unbeaten half-century as Australia took control of the first Test against South Africa on Thursday (November 3).
At the WACA Ground in Perth on day one, Australia bowled South Africa out for 242 and then rattled along to 105 without loss, a failed decision review rounding off a forgettable day for the visitor.
Vernon Philander rapped Warner on the pads with the batsman on 17 and Australia on 19, but Aleem Dar turned down the appeal. The South Africans called for a review, only for replays to reveal that Philander had delivered a front-foot no-ball.
More frustratingly for them, further replays showed that their review would have been successful had the paceman not overstepped.
Warner punished South Africa for that Philander error with a typically free-flowing unbeaten 73, off just 62 deliveries with 13 fours and a six as Australia scored at five an over. Keeping Warner company at close was Shaun Marsh, his fellow left-hand opener who was on a sedate 29.
Marsh came through an inspired opening burst from Dale Steyn but Warner was at his fluent best, peppering the boundary with characteristically robust strokeplay to take Australia to within 137 of the South African total with all ten wickets standing.
Starc, the left-arm paceman who is returning from a terribly leg injury sustained in practice that necessitated 30 stitches, got Australia going with the fourth ball of the match on his way to figures of 4 for 71. He was well supported by Josh Hazlewood (3 for 70) as South Africa slumped to 32 for 4 after Faf du Plessis opted to bat first.
Stephen Cook was the first to go, smartly caught at gully by Mitchell Marsh as he was squared up Starc in the first over, and Hashim Amla, who also was out for a duck, became Hazlewood’s first victim in the fourth over. Dean Elgar, put down on 10, was caught behind and JP Duminy, dropped on eight, gave Peter Siddle early joy in the paceman’s first Test since February this year when he too was caught behind.
Du Plessis (37) battled on with Temba Bavuma for company, the pair putting on 49 when the South African skipper was caught off the outside edge by Adam Voges at first slip.
Bavuma and Quinton de Kock, who top-scored with an aggressive 84, rallied with a 71-run stand for the sixth wicket. But the visitor again stumbled when Bavuma and Philander (10) fell just before tea as Australia regained control.
De Kock survived two decision reviews and should have been run out on 61, only to be the ninth wicket to fall when he chased quick runs with the tail.
Bavuma made a composed 51 but he fell to a brilliant catch by Shaun Marsh at short-leg off Nathan Lyon, the offspinner.
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