The first day of the Test series between Australia and South Africa saw 15 wickets fall played at Gabba, Brisbane on 17 December 2021. Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to field first on a green top pitch. It was an ideal start for hosts as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland reduced South Africa to 27 for 4. Kyle Veryenne and Temba Bavuma showed intent to put pressure on the Australian bowlers.
Both looked to play shots keeping the momentum going for South Africa. Mitchell Starc produced a stunning delivery getting rid of Bavuma. Bavuma and Veryenne added 98 runs for the 5th wicket. Kyle Verryne completed his half-century off 63 balls. It was a great bowling performance by Australian bowlers as Nathan Lyon, Starc and Cummins rattled them to skittle them out for 152.
It was not an ideal start for the hosts while batting as David Warner was brilliantly caught by Khaya Zondo off the first delivery by Rabada that kicked off as Zondo jumped with a one-handed catch. Marco Jansen got rid of Marnus Labuschagne in his first over to leave Australia in some trouble. Anrich Nortje dismissed Usman Khawaja with a lovely catch by Simon Harmer. Travis Head kept the pressure on South African bowling with a counterattack knock hitting boundaries with ease along with Steve Smith.
The dismissal:
Zondo pulls it in! 😱
Rabada removes Warner off the first ball of the innings! #PlayOfTheDay #AUSvSA | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/7nwJkAqD0X
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2022
Head completed his fifty off 48 balls to keep Australia on course for a lead. Right before the close of play, Anrich Nortje struck twice in succession getting rid of Smith and nightwatchman Scott Boland. Smith and Head added 117 runs for the 4th wicket. Australia ended the first day at 145 for 5 trail by 7 runs.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje took 2 wickets each while Marco Jansen grabbed 1 wicket. It promises to be another great 2nd day as the South African bowlers would look to take early wickets, especially Travis Head.
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