Australia lost both their opening batsmen cheaply after being sent in to bat on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands on Wednesday.
Published: Nov 09, 2011, 05:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 09, 2011, 05:45 PM (IST)
South Africa players celebrate the fall of Australia opener Shane Watson © Getty Images
Cape Town: Nov 9, 2011
Australia lost both their opening batsmen cheaply after being sent in to bat on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands on Wednesday.
Australia were 39 for two at lunch. Only 15 overs of play was possible after rain delayed the start by almost two hours, causing the hours of play to be pushed out by an hour.
Dale Steyn had Shane Watson caught at second slip by Jacques Kallis for three and new cap Vernon Philander had Phil Hughes caught behind for nine.
Shaun Marsh (17 not out) and Ricky Ponting (eight not out) saw the Australians through to lunch in seam-friendly conditions.
Steyn took one for eight in five overs, while Philander, making his debut in his home city, shared the new ball and bowled a tight line to take one for 16 in six overs, which included an edged four by Hughes and a hooked six by Ponting from the only ball he dropped short.
Philander, 26, was one of two new caps, with South Africa also selecting Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, 32.
Australia made only one change from the side that beat South Africa A in a warm-up game last week with fast bowler Ryan Harris replacing Trent Copeland. (AFP)
Brief Scores: Australia 39 for 2 (Shaun Marsh 17*; Dale Steyn 1 for 8, Vernon Philander 1 for 16) vs South Africa.
