Published: Nov 07, 2016, 06:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 07, 2016, 01:08 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s coverage of fifth and final day’s play of the first Test between Australia and South Africa at Perth on Monday. We at CricketCountry will provide live updates from this match. This Test match has been ruled by the South Africans in all departments against a lackluster looking Australian side. Day Four began with South African pair of Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander striking individual half-centuries providing their team with awesome start. The pair added 116 runs before Mitchell Marsh stuck. Keshwav Maharaj was good with the bat in the first innings showcased his batting prowess this time. South Africa declared at the score of 539 asking the hosts’ to chase a record 538 runs to win. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs South Africa, 1st Test at Perth
Kangiso Rabada and Philander bowled superbly for the tourists with the former standing out picking up figures of 3 for 49. Maharaj too caused problems with the ball as he got ball to spin off the cracks. South Africa’s bowling has been so good that Dale Steyn’s absence hasn’t been felt at all. Although a draw cannot be ruled out as cricket is a game of uncertainties, the probability of SA sealing a win on Day Five is the obvious choice. For Australia Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith stitched a solid partnership to get the innings back on track with a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Rabada produced a compelling spell late into Day Four with his double strike . Rabada first removed Smith for 34 and soon got the key wicket of Adam Voges for just one run. Khawaja continued to battle on and got past his fourth Test half-century, an innings which featured some delicate shots with an occasional streaky flash of the bat.
HIghlight of Day Four was Temba Bavuma’s sensational run out as he got David Warner out for 35. Warner looked comfortable while batting but committed a mistake going for a quick single. Bavuma, who was fielding at silly point, cited the opportunity and ran up to silly mid off to collect the ball. Bavuma pulled off a diving throw, with his entire body hanging in the air. The ball raced past Warner, who was eager to reach his ground but the ball hit the middle stump to knock it over.
