It was such a very fiery opening day of the 1st Test between the Aussies v Proteas at The Gabba in Brisbane, having seen so much fight from both sides – mainly with the ball on hand but also sometimes with the bat when given the chance as well.
Great seeing our frontline quicks get the ball rolling where the Aussies cleared SA’s opening & top-order men early.
Although they struggled to stop Kyle Verreynne for some time when he smacked a couple of shots downtown that saw him secure his 50; However, spinner Nathan Lyon came in to turn around, having finally got Verreynne out for 64 by Steve Smith at slip before that breakthrough provided a clearer path for Australia to bowl SA all out for 152.
Then the home side were initially stuck in first gear also by SA’s similar fast bowling arsenal where not only they witnessed another horror Dave Warner show, but SA managed to dismiss Usman Khawaja early, as well as the dangerous & SA-born native turned Aussie in Marnus Labuschagne. But then Travis Head came in to save the day No.5 – who scored another brilliant knock so far on 78* not out that puts Australia just seven runs behind SA going into Day 2 at 145-5, while Steve Smith backed him up at the other end before Anrich Nortje blew him away through the stumps on 36.
Now let’s see how long Head can hang in there before another Test 100 is realised, with Scott Boland overseeing things as a night watchman right now on 1. So another 150-200 will do it for Australia since they got a couple more options down the order who can all bat a bit – with Cam Green, keeper Alex Carey & Captain Pat Cummins at 6, 7 & 8 respectively.
And for SA, they still got a small lead as getting the Aussies all out ASAP would give them the chance to build a decent batting total in the 2nd innings – which could put them in the box seat towards victory & continue their strong winning record on Australian soil at 1-0 in this three-match Test series away from home.
