Aus vs SA: Australia completed a six-wicket victory within two days in the first test against South Africa on Sunday as the Proteas crumbled on a green Gabba wicket that played into the home bowlers’ hands. Skittled for 152 on day one, South Africa were routed for 99 shortly after tea on day two, leaving Australia needing just 34 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Follow Australia vs SouthAfrica LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Aus vs SA: After the 1st Test ends within 2 days, Brisbane pitch opens us TEST CRICKET survival debate: Check details
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
The losing South Africa captain Dean Elgar, who managed only five runs for the test, made his feelings clear about the Brisbane Test wicket.
“It was challenging for the batters, no doubt, which is OK if it’s a good contest between bat and ball. But obviously on the flip side I don’t see it as a fair contest.” said the opener.
Australia’s cricket pundits were scathing of the wicket, which quickened on day two and became pock-marked with divots as the match wore on.
“There’s just been too much variation in favour of the bowlers,” former Australia captain Allan Border said on Fox Sports’ coverage, rating the pitch a “three out of 10”.
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was more charitable.
“The wicket, everyone’s probably saying it’s probably too much but it just shows the quality of bowlers that are running around out here,” he said.
It was only the second test win in Australia in two days, the other nearly a century ago when the hosts beat the West Indies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the 1930/31 series.
Australia’s batsmen handled the conditions marginally better, with Travis Head named Player of the Match for scoring a swashbuckling 92 before the hosts were bowled out before lunch for 218 in their first innings. Head rated it one of the most challenging innings he had played.
“The (Australia) bowlers did an incredible job to keep the chase low,” said Head, who was caught behind for a duck in the second innings.
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.
Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada claimed four quick wickets to leave Australia 24 for four in a bizarre finish but Marnus Labuschagne (five not out) and a scoreless Cameron Green survived as the hosts stumbled over the line.
Australia now has 1-0 lead in 3-match-series. The second Test will be played at the MCG in Melbourne starting from December 26.
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: After the 1st Test ends within 2 days, Brisbane pitch opens us TEST CRICKET survival debate: Check details
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