AUS vs SA LIVE: The first Test between Australia and South Africa was completed in just three days. The Baggy Greens won the test by six wickets and now lead the three-match series 1-0. On Day 2, pacers took advantage of the extra help provided by the Gabba surface, taking 19 wickets. With India’s World Test championship spot on the line, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag wasted no time in pointing out Cricket Australia’s HYPOCRISY regarding the pitch used in the first Test at the Gabba. Watch AUS SA LIVE Streaming on SonyLIV & Follow South Africa vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
AUS vs SA LIVE: With India’s WTC spot on-line, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag blasts at ‘hypocrisy’ of CA as Australia vs SouthAfrica 1st Test ends in 2 days at Gabba – CHECK out
142 overs and not even lasting 2 days and they have the audacity to lecture on what kind of pitches are needed. Had it happened in India, it would have been labelled end of test cricket, ruining test cricket and what not. The Hypocrisy is mind-boggling . #AUSvSA
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 18, 2022
Virender Sehwag minced no words about the poor quality of the Gabba wicket in the first Test. The Test match lasted only 142 overs, with neither team reaching 220 points in four innings.
The second day was the most disastrous, with 19 wickets falling. Australia started the day with 5 wickets down, but were eventually bowled out for 218. When South Africa came to bat, Australian bowlers took full advantage of the green wicket at Gabba, batting them out for 99 in their second innings.
Australia, while chasing 34 runs to win in the 4th innings, also lost four wickets, but the score wasn’t big enough to challenge the hosts.
Why is Virender Sehwag miffed with Cricket Australia?
When England toured India last year, there was a lot of criticism surrounding the wickets used during the series. India won the series by a 3-1 margin. However, the third test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which was also the Pink Ball Test, lasted for only two days.
At the time, the Ahmedabad wicket, labelled as a “turner,” garnered a lot of attention from former players and experts. Now, when Australia has offered a green top to South Africa and the test match has ended within two days, their experts have opted to stay tight-lipped about the situation.
More change at the top of the standings on a dramatic day of World Test Championship action 💥#AUSvSA | #BANvIND | #WTC23https://t.co/d6kBhBMMmB
— ICC (@ICC) December 18, 2022
One reason could be that Australia wants to play the World Test Championship Final at any cost, after missing out in the last cycle. Australia is currently placed at the pole position followed by India at the second, and South Africa at third.
With two more Tests to go, and one match in the bag, Australia is in a comfortable position going into the remaining two Tests against the Proteas.
- If Australia win the series, they will confirm their place in the final.
- If SA win the series down under, they will topple Pat Cummins & Co for the top spot.
- Australia’s biggest challenge will be the four-match away tour of India.
- If Australia wins all four home Tests but lose all four in India, their win percentage will drop to 63.16.
- In such a scenario, India can leapfrog Australia by winning all six of their remaining Tests.
- Australia should try to win five of the remaining seven matches.
A look at the squads for both the teams
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
South Africa squad: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Khaya Zondo.
AUS vs SA LIVE: With India’s WTC spot on-line, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag blasts at ‘hypocrisy’ of CA as Australia vs SouthAfrica 1st Test ends in 2 days at Gabba – CHECK out
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Australia get the job done. But not without a few scares! #AUSvSA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2022
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