Credit: ICC
The day one of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) has ended with Australia leading against South Africa 169 runs by the end of the day. Coming to bat first after losing the toss, Australia were bowled out for 212 runs as Kagiso Rabada shone with a five-wicket haul for the Proteas. In reply, Australia also gave a tough fight as they cleared South Africa’s top-order with Mitchell Starc bagging four wickets as the Proteas finished day one at 43 runs for the loss of four wickets.
Batting first, Australia got a poor start as they were reduced to 67/4 in 23.2 overs. After that, Steve Smith and Beau Webster took charge of the innings as the duo put up a partnership of 79 runs for the fifth wicket. Smith got out after scoring 66 runs off 112 balls hitting 10 boundaries. On the other hand, Webster scored 72(92) runs hitting 11 boundaries. Rabada took the final wicket to complete his fifer as he ended with the figures of 5/51. Apart from that, Marco Jansen took three wickets, while Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram scalped a wicket each.
Mitchell Starc scalp 2 wickets as Australia aim to take 1st innings lead
In reply to Australia’s 212 runs, South Africa got a disastrous start as Mitchell dismissed Aiden Markram for a duck in the very first over of the innings. After facing the first five balls of the over, Markram tried to punch Starc’s outside off delivery through the line. However, the ball found the inside edge of Markram’s bat and went on to hit stumps as the Proteas lost their first wicket without any run on board.
After that, South Africa went on to lose wickets regular intervals as they were reduced to 30/4 in 20.2 overs. Mitchell Starc is currently the top wicket-taker for Australia with the figures of 2/10. Apart from that, skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood scalped a wicket each. For South Africa, skipper Temba Bavuma finshed the day unbeaten on 3*(37) along with David Bedingham (8* off 9) at the crease. South Africa are currently trailing by 169 runs with six wickets in hand.
