Australian speedster Scott Boland shone through on what was a miserable day at St. George’s Park, as rain had the final say in the proceedings on Day 1. Continuous, persistent rain meant only 12.2 overs of play were possible. Scott Boland made sure Australia had the better of the exchanges, but rain was the ultimate winner. South Africa battled through difficult conditions after losing the toss and will have a battle on their hands once play resumes on the second day.
South Africa survives a tricky phase before rain curtails the morning session
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl under overcast conditions. Soon after, the rain came and became persistent, delaying proceedings by a couple of hours. When play finally started, Aiden Markram and debutant Marques Ackerman came out to bat for South Africa while Mitchell Starc had the ball in hand for Australia. Starc started with a maiden. Josh Hazlewood shared the new ball from the other end, and he too bowled a maiden.
Starc continued as Markram broke the shackles and got the first boundary of the Test match as he creamed the ball through the covers for a boundary. Hazlewood continued and bowled another maiden over. Starc continued as Markram creamed the ball through vacant cover region for another boundary as he crossed 8000 runs in international cricket. Ackerman got off the mark as South Africa reached 11/0 in 5.3 overs when rain became heavy, and players walked off the field.
Markram was unbeaten on 10 off 18 balls while Ackerman was unbeaten on 1 off 15 balls as the drizzle became heavy and forced the players to go off the field, after which lunch was taken on Day 1.
Scott Boland strikes twice to rock South Africa before persistent rain has the last laugh in the afternoon session & day
Play resumed after 50 minutes with Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman resuming proceedings for South Africa while Josh Hazlewood had to complete the unfinished over. He completed it with no dramas. Scott Boland was introduced into the attack next. He started his spell with a maiden. Hazlewood continued and bowled a tidy over. Boland continued and got the first blood for Australia as he removed Markram, the set, experienced batter, for 11 off 28 balls with 2 fours to his name by cleaning him up after the ball hit the inside edge back onto the stumps.
David Bedingham came out to bat next and was gone first ball as he edged one through to the keeper as the batter played away from the body, and Boland got two in two balls. Temba Bavuma, the captain, came out to bat next and survived the hat-trick ball. Hazlewood bowled a tight over as well. Boland continued as he looked to drive on the up and got the outside edge past Webster at gully for a lucky boundary to get off the mark.
Captain Pat Cummins brought himself into the attack and bowled a decent over. Boland continued and bowled 2 balls in the 13th over before the heavens opened up and leaked yet again. Ackerman remained unbeaten on 5 off 32 balls while Bavuma was unbeaten on 4 off 13 balls with one four to his name. Rain came and settled in as the first early tea was taken. Rain became heavier, and it was a downpour, a proper one at that. In the end, play was called off for the day. South Africa were 20/2 in 12.2 overs at Stumps on Day 1.
4 bowlers were used by Australia, and all were top seamers. Scott Boland was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with figures of 2/5 in 3.2 overs. Josh Hazlewood bowled 0/3 in 5 overs. Mitchell Starc finished with 0/10 in 3 overs. Captain Pat Cummins finished with 0/2 in 1 over. Rain was the winner on Day 1.
What Lies Ahead on Day 2
For starters, we are scheduled to start 15 minutes early tomorrow to make up for lost time, weather permitting. The forecast for the second day isn’t promising either, with rain and showers expected. We hope that the rain stays away and we get a good amount of cricket in. Assuming we have a good amount of cricket, Australia will aim to bowl South Africa out cheaply on a challenging track, while the Proteas will aim to apply themselves, weather the storm and get a competitive total.
Let’s see how Day 2 pans out, weather permitting, at St. George’s Park.
Also Read:Â SA vs AUS: Australia Aims To Seal Series In 2nd Test.