Continuing their Ashes form, Australia clinched a dominating victory in the first Test against the hosts South Africa at Kingsmead (Durban). In the series opener of the four-match Test series, Australia clinched a superb 118-runs victory with their dominating all-around performances over the hosts.
(Day 1)
Australia decided to bat first after winning the toss. Australia lost their opener Cameron Bancroft (5) and no.3 batsman Usman Khawaja (14) at the early stage before David Warner (51) and Steven Smith (56) played their half-century knocks.
Shaun Marsh also played important innings of 40 runs while his brother Mitchell Marsh was unbeaten at the end of the day with 32 runs. Australia was on 225/5 at the end of the day while wicket-keeper Tim Paine was standing at the other end with 21 runs.
(Day 2)
Paine only added 4 more runs before his dismissal while Mitchell carried on his innings after completing his half-century.
With the tail-ender batsmen, Mitchell provided two important partnership before he was dismissed on 96 runs. Mitchell Starc also added 35 runs with the bat as Australia managed 351 runs before getting all-out.
South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj picked up 5 wickets while pacer Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada took 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
In reply, South Africa was bundled out for just 162 runs at the end of the day. While Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc claimed 5 wickets, spinner Nathan Lyon dismissed three South African batsmen. Other pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins got one wicket each.
Apart from AB de Villiers, who remained not out on 71 runs, no other batsmen scored big runs. The second highest scorer was the opener Aiden Markram with 35 runs knock while the wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock scored 20 runs. Apart from these three batsmen, only Faf du Plessis (15) crossed the two-digit score.
At the end of the day, Australia was leading by 189 runs.
Also read: Australian team made a unique protest over the stump microphone
(Day 3)
Australian openers provided a good start as they put 56 runs partnership. Bancroft scored 53 runs while another opener Warner scored 28 runs. After the fall of first wicket, Australia suffering their regular wicket falling. At the end of the day, Australia was on 213/9 and they were leading by 402 runs. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were batting on the pitch at the end of the day.
Australia skipper Steven Smith (38) and Shaun Marsh (33) also played some important knock of that innings.
(Day 4)
Australia only added 14 more runs before getting all out. Cummins was bowled by Maharaj on 26 runs.
Among the host bowling line-up, Maharaj was once again the leading bowler with another 4 wickets while Morne Morkel picked up three wickets. Rabada also took two wickets while another left-arm spinner Dean Elgar picked up the only wicket.
South Africa had a 417 runs target for victory. At the early stage, they suffered a huge top-order batting collapse as they were 49/4 at one stage.
Also read: Nathan Lyon Charged For Disrespecting AB de Villiers
Then the opener Markram put two consecutive big partnerships with Theunis de Bruyn (partnership 87 runs) and Quinton de Kock (partnership 147 runs). De Bruyn was dismissed on 36 runs.
Markram scored a brilliant century under pressure while Quinton de Kock was finally looking to coming in form.
Just before the end of the day, Markram lost his wicket on 143 runs as the hosts suffered the lower-order collapse soon.
At the end of the day, Australia was on verge of victory as the host team was on 293/9. De Kock (81*) was batting with Morne Morkel (0*) at the end of the day. South Africa still needed 124 runs and they had no other batsmen to come.
Also read: Aiden Markram Wasn’t Worried Of Australia’s Sledging
(Day 5)
It was a matter of time for Australia’s victory in this Test. South Africa only added 5 more runs as their innings ended on 298 runs. Quinton de Kock was trapped in lbw by Hazlewood on 83 runs as Australia won by 118 runs.
Among the Australian bowlers, Starc and Hazlewood claimed four and three wickets respectively. Also, Cummins and Mitchell Marsh added one wicket each in their achievement columns.
Mitchell Starc was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling and the important batting knock in the lower-order.
However, despite this victory Australian cricketers are facing a lot of criticism for their behaviors on and off the field.
Also watch: Quinton de Kock Fires Up David Warner, CA Investigating
Now we will look at some Twitter reactions to this match
Congratulations on your win. #SAvsAUS and I hope that you and Quinton can put the messy episode behind you.
— Stiffler (@MoriartySteven) March 5, 2018
well deserved victory by 118 runs for Aus in the 1st Test against SA; Mitchell Starc the top wicket-taker in this innings with 4/75,
Scores : Aus 351 & 227,
SA 162 & 298 #SAvsAUS— Iɱʀʌŋ Aʟɪ Jᴀᴡᴀᴅ 🇵🇰 (@imranalijawad) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/buckall/status/970637868027785216
#Australia may win trophies, championships and away bilateral series, but the whole team can never earn the respect of this gentlemen's game, #cricket ! Such unruly disrespectful acts!#SAvAUS #SAvsAUS
— Left Arm Chinaman (@leftarmchinamen) March 5, 2018
David Warner clearly crossed the line. Deserves suspension. #SAvsAUS
— Naren Raj Purohit (@Narenpurohit) March 5, 2018
I like an aggressive Warner on the field as much as I hate his aggression off the field. There's a line which shouldn't be crossed in any sports, no matter what. And he has crossed it twice. #SAvAUS #AUSvSA #SAvsAUS #EngvAus
— Shantanu Smart (@smartshantanu) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/BeingMsdian25/status/970631645538656256
@davidwarner31 certainly Aussies bad boy in the team.#sscricket #SAvsAUS
— petrus (@sport2222) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/SANTHOSHSRIKAN6/status/970626325424689152
The Aussies are used to hurling the filthiest abuse at opponents, but cannot handle it when the same is done for them. #davidwarner #SAvsAUS #cricketaustralia
— Cerebral Synapse (@cerebralsynapse) March 5, 2018
Aussies you may win games-series with such disgusting behaviour from Lyon and Warner. But what AB does is win hearts #SAvsAus #AUSvSA
— Harish Jain (@Harishjain_cool) March 5, 2018
