Australia quicks make early inroads at the Gabba

SOUTH AFRICA TOUR OF AUSTRALIA, 2022-23

Australia made the most of the green top at the Gabba early on Day 1 © AFP

Led by Scott Boland’s twin strikes in an over, Australian pacers triggered a top-order collapse to reduce South Africa to 27 for 4 in the opening hour of the first Test at the Gabba. Kyle Verreynne (35*) and Temba Bavuma (21*) led the repair work with an unbroken half-century stand to see the visitors through to Lunch at 84/4 on Saturday (December 17).

On a green Gabba track and a bit of a cloud cover, Pat Cummins had no hesitations in inserting the opposition in against his four-pronged pace attack. On the other hand, Dean Elgar surprisingly remarked his team was happy to bat first. But their performance reflected otherwise.

Mitchell Starc took just 13 balls to make an impact. Elgar, strangled down the leg side, gloved an edge to the keeper to become the veteran pacer’s 299th Test scalp. Five overs later, skipper Cummins got Rassie van der Dussen to feather another catch to Alex Carey behind the stumps.

Boland, who had come into the attack just ahead of the one-hour mark, struck twice in his second over. He first tempted Sarel Erwee into an expansive drive with a full delivery outside off to induce a thick edge that resulted in a low catch at gully, well-judged and taken by Cameron Green. On the other side of the drinks break, he trapped Khaya Zondo plumb LBW for a second-ball duck. The batter burnt a review on his way back as South Africa were left reeling on 27/4 in the first hour of play.

Thrown in the deep end, both Verreynne and Bavuma responded well to pick South Africa back up through their unbeaten 57-run partnership. The duo ran hard between the wickets and did not shy away from putting the occasional loose balls away. Verreynne could have been sent back without opening his account if not for a throw to the wrong end. He had raced to 20 – taking on Green in his opening over with a six and a four – when another run-out opportunity went begging for the lack of a direct hit. The wicketkeeper-bat survived through those nervy moments to march to the session break with an unbeaten 35 against his name.

Brief scores: South Africa 84/4 (Kyle Verreynne 35*, Temba Bavuma 21*; Scott Boland 2-10) vs Australia

© Cricbuzz

RELATED STORIES