Over-by-over report: Play continues at the Gabba after Australia ended day one on top. Join Angus Fontaine for updates
Morning all and welcome to Day 2 of the Gabba Test: Australia v South Africa. This is the 102nd Test between these great cricketing nations over 120 years of competition and every fibre of that fierce rivalry was on show yesterday as 29,306 fans piled into the Gabba to witness a thrilling day of seesawing action.
Under cloudy skies, Australian captain Pat Cummins, usually a proponent of solar power, made the bold gambit to bowl first. But that decision paid off in spades, as South Africa were skittled for just 152 inside 50 overs, the last six wickets falling for 27 and their blushes saved only by a brave partnership of 98 between Temba Bavuma and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
Australia’s ebullience lasted one delivery, as Kagiso Rabada speared the fresh cherry at David Warner’s heart. The 99-Test opener, two years without a century and averaging 21.8 since 2020, flinched and blinked, fending the ball to a high flying Khaya Zondo at short leg for his second golden duck in 181-innings. And when Marnus Labuschagne was undone by Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje bamboozled Usman Khawaja, Australia were three for 27 and it was game on.
But if Sandpapergate still rubs Steve Smith raw it sure didn’t show. With a typically cavalier Travis Head in tow, he put on 113 in 23 overs and wrestled back the ascendency. Then a late twist: Smith bowled by Nortje for 36 and nightwatchman Scott Boland nicking off to leave in flux at Australia 145 for five.
Will Travis Head roll on from his unbeaten 78? Can allrounder Cameron Green shuck off the rust and rediscover form? Will Australia’s tail wag like a dog at a butcher shop window? Or will the fearsome Proteas pace attack blast them out for under 200? The stage is set and the sun is shining so let’s find out shall we?
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
First Test LIVE updates: Australia bowl first against South Africa at The GabbaThe real summer of cricket gets under way in Brisbane as Australia, fresh off a series sweep over the West Indies, take on the Proteas in what is always an intriguing match-up.
Read more »
Bowling shootout looms as same but different Australia and South Africa renew Test rivalry | Geoff LemonTheir personnel is much the same but both teams have changed in character since the last time they met in the Test arena four years ago
Read more »
Travis Head puts Australia in charge against South Africa after Warner’s golden duckAustralia ended day one of the first Test on top after moving to within seven runs of South Africa’s total thanks to Travis Head’s unbeaten 78
Read more »
Live: Australia sends South Africa in to bat on day one at the GabbaAustralia meets South Africa in a Test match for the first time since the 2018 series marred by the ball tampering scandal. Follow all the action as it happens at the Gabba in Brisbane in our live blog.
Read more »
First Test LIVE updates: Starc strikes with crucial South African wicket at The GabbaThe real summer of cricket gets under way in Brisbane as Australia, fresh off a series sweep over the West Indies, take on the Proteas in what is always an intriguing match-up. Follow live
Read more »
Australia almost matches South African first innings in just one session at the GabbaTravis Head leads a counterattack in the first Test against South Africa, leaving Australia just seven runs short of the tourists' first-innings score of 152 after one session of batting late on the opening day at the Gabba.
Read more »