Australia vs South Africa, 1st Test Day 2: Pacers propel Australia to 1-0 lead inside two days

Right then, that is it from this short Test match. Australia have dominated the first Test and will be eager to win the next game and seal this series. They have accumulated crucial Test Championship points while South Africa will find their second spot on the standings threatened. We move now to the Boxing Day Test which starts on the 26th of December at 5.00 am IST (11.30 pm GMT, the previous day) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. As you know, our build-up will begin much earlier so do join us for the same. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

Pat Cummins the victorious captain of Australia says that it has been a great couple of days. Informs that it was a tricky wicket but praises Steven Smith and Travis Head for the way they batted. Mentions that he is very happy with his bowlers as they were pretty relentless on this wicket. Adds that Mitchell Starc just keeps on impressing as he is the kind of player that keeps going to sharpen his skills day in and day out. Reckons that all the attention will soon shift to the Boxing Day Test. Ends by saying he cannot wait for the next challenge.

Dean Elgar the skipper of South Africa says that with another 60 runs they would still be in this game. Mentions that he wants to wrap his head around the result. Claims that it is a spicy pitch and it is challenging for the batters. Explains that they can not be prepared any better but the conditions were not good for the batters so he feels they can't really do too much different. Reckons that with a few days' break, they will go back to the drawing board and have some discussions. Ends by saying that if there are two quality bowling attacks then people want to watch them but over 5 days of Test cricket. 

Travis Head wins the Player of the Match award for scoring 92 runs in 96 balls in the first inning. He says that the chat was such that they will try to get them off their lengths and not lose wickets to put pressure on the opposition. Mentions, he and Steven Smith aimed to remain positive and get rid of the bad balls. Praises the bowlers for their excellent effort with the ball. He ends by saying he will focus on his recovery now since the next match will be after a few days' break.

Time for the presentations...

Mitchell Starc is up for a chat and he says that it has been a very interesting Test match. Mentions that he is delighted to bring up the milestone and he will surely enjoy the moment. Adds that the last two years have been more consistent and thinks it has been the best phase for his career. On the bowling attack, he says that Josh Hazlewood is, unfortunately, coming from an injury but all they hope for is to support each other whenever they come out in the middle. Nathan Lyon joins in the chat as well. He says that it is pretty amazing to see Mitchell Starc achieve so many things in his career. Informs that Travis Head truly deserves to be the man of the match as he has been consistent with the blade in this Test match in tricky conditions.

The second innings didn't start well for the visitors as they were trailing by 66 runs and apart from Temba Bavuma and Khaya Zondo none of the batters could get going. They were bowled out for 99 runs and Pat Cummins was the main destroyer claiming a five-wicket haul. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland claimed two wickets each with the former reaching 300 wickets in Test cricket. With a target of 34 to achieve, it looked like a routine run chase but Kagiso Rabada made things interesting by taking another four-wicket haul. Had they scored 50 more runs in the second inning and conceded fewer extras, this could have been difficult for the hosts. 

Australia won a really good toss and decided to bowl first on what looked like a green track meant to aid the bowlers. The ball was nipping around right through the Test match and South Africa had very little joy early in their first inning. They lost four wickets early and a 98-run partnership between Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne helped them cross the 100-run mark. The dismissal of Temba Bavuma triggered another collapse and despite Kyle Verreynne scoring a fighting 64, the visitors managed to put just 152 runs on the board. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets each with Scott Boland and Pat Cummins chipping in with two each. Australia did not start their first inning on the front foot either losing three wickets early but a 117-run partnership between Steven Smith and Travis Head put them ahead in the game. Travis Head scored 92 runs in 96 deliveries which was a game-changing inning in the context of this game. Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets in the first inning and Marco Jansen was good as well claiming three scalps.

A comprehensive win for the number one Test side in the world! They have absolutely demolished the South African side but have had massive help from the green wicket. It has been a bowler’s paradise as 34 wickets have fallen over two days and this would not be an ideal Test wicket as there was very little competition between the bat and the ball. Australia had a small target of 34 to chase and they struggled as they lost their openers early. The dismissal of Steven Smith and Travis Head soon after had the Proteas interested but they conceded 19 extras to help Australia take a 1-0 lead in the series.

7.6: Anrich Nortje to Cameron Green, FIVE WIDES! So the winning runs come as extras. Well it does not matter how the runs come. A sharp bouncer, on middle. Cameron Green ducks under it. The ball flies over the keeper and races away to the fine leg fence. The umpire signals a wide as well due to height. Australia win the match by 6 wickets.

7.5: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Length ball, on off. Marnus Labuschagne taps it to covers and scampers across for a quick single.

7.4: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Goes very full, on off. Marnus Labuschagne drives it down the ground. He hits the stumps at the other end though.

7.3: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, This is left alone by Marnus Labuschagne as it is wide of off.

7.2: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Length, around off, defended out.

7.1: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, This is on a good length, outside off, shapes away a bit. Marnus Labuschagne tries to block it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

7.1: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, FIVE WIDES! No extras can be afforded when the target is so low. Anrich Nortje bends his back hard and serves a sharp bouncer, on top of off. Marnus Labuschagne ducks under. It is also too high for the keeper. It races away to the fine leg fence, while the umpire signals a wide for height. Just 5 runs needed now and extras have been the top-scorer so far in this inning. 

6.6: Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Green, It is very full, on middle and leg. Green tucks it to the man at short leg. South Africa do believe something now, although Australia only need 10 runs to get over the line.

6.5: Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Green, A length ball, on off. Green blocks it to point. 

Cameron Green comes in at number 6.

6.4: Kagiso Rabada to Travis Head, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Kagiso Rabada is on fire here and has his fourth wicket! This time it is the top scorer of this game Travis Head who has to depart. He bowls this back of a length and straying down leg side. Travis Head looks to tuck this away fine but gets a faint edge that goes through to the keeper. Kyle Verreynne goes to his right and collects this well. A massive appeal from the players and the umpire raises his finger. Travis Head looks distraught but has to make the long way back to the shed. 

6.4: Kagiso Rabada to Travis Head, FIVE WIDES! Kagiso Rabada bangs this short to welcome the new batter and Travis Head ducks under this one. The ball keeps rising and goes over the outstretched arm of Kyle Verreynne for four extra runs. The umpire calls this one wide as well and Australia need just 10 more now. 

6.3: Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Steven Smith departs and South Africa are still not giving up! Kagiso Rabada bangs this in short and wide outside off, Steven Smith slashes at this one as well and gets an outside edge that flies to the keeper. Kyle Verreynne makes no mistake behind the wicket and Australia are three down now. The South African look umped up and we wonder what would have been had they been defending close to a 100. 

6.2: Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith, FOUR! That has been carved away to the fence! Kagiso Rabada bowls this one back of a length and outside off. Steven Smith cuts this beautifully towards deep point for a lovely boundary. Just 15 more runs needed. 

6.1: Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith, Kagiso Rabada bowls this back of a length and outside off. Steven Smith raises his arms and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

5.6: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Length and on off, Marnus Labuschagne defends it out watchfully.

5.5: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, This is a length ball that comes in from outside off. Marnus Labuschagne tries to flick it on his back foot but gets an outside edge as it goes to point.

5.4: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Length and on off. Marnus Labuschagne gets behind and defends it out.

5.3: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Goes full, on middle. Marnus Labuschagne flicks it to mid on.

5.2: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Exceptional shot. It is fuller, on middle and leg. Marnus Labuschagne punches it down the ground with straight bat. It goes past mid off and races away.

5.1: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Shorter, in the channel of uncertainty. Marnus Labuschagne leaves it alone for the keeper.

4.6: Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith, A bit fuller, on off. Steven Smith lofts it over mid off on the up. The ball lands safely and the batters take a couple.

4.5: Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith, Shorter, outside off. Steven Smith leaves it alone.

Steven Smith makes his way out to the middle. 

4.4: Kagiso Rabada to David Warner, OUT! CAUGHT IN SLIPS! David Warner has to walk back for just three runs. He has been unable to break his shackles in this first Test match. It is a length ball, on off, angling across a bit. David Warner tries to block it on his front foot but only finds a thick outside edge. Sarel Erwee from third slip dives to his right and pouches it with both hands. 

4.3: Kagiso Rabada to David Warner, Good length, on top of off, moving away. David Warner square up a bit as he defends it to cover.

4.2: Kagiso Rabada to David Warner, A length ball, on top of off. David Warner hangs back and taps it to covers.

4.1: Kagiso Rabada to David Warner, A short ball, in the corridor of uncertainty. It flies off the deck. David Warner leaves it alone.

3.6: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Just a single off the over then. Anrich Nortje serves a length ball, wide of off. Marnus Labuschagne shuffles and blocks it in front of him on the off side.

3.5: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Good leave! It is a short ball, on fifth stump. Marnus Labuschagne shoulders his arms at it.

3.4: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, A sharp bouncer, in the channel. Marnus Labuschagne has a smile on his face as he sways away from the line.

3.3: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Anrich Nortje serves a length ball, angling in on off. Marnus Labuschagne stays back and defends it with full face of the blade.

3.2: Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length, on fifth stump. Marnus Labuschagne shuffles and blocks it out.

3.1: Anrich Nortje to David Warner, A length ball, on middle. Warner gets it to the leg side and crosses.

Marnus Labuschagne makes his way out to the middle at number 3. 

2.6: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, OUT! CAUGHT! Usman Khawaja tries to make room and find the gap besides backward point but holes out instead. Kagiso Rabada strike first this time. It is a short ball, around off. Usman Khawaja moves back and goes for the cut shot. He doesn't get through with it and hits it to the right of the fielder at backward point. Keshav Maharaj there takes a sharp catch. Can South Africa build on the early wicket?

2.5: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, It is a short ball, on middle and leg, climbing onto the batter. Usman Khawaja goes back and pulls it over square leg. The batters take a couple.

2.4: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, On off, pushed to mid off.

2.3: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Bowls this on a good length and just outside off. Usman Khawaja looks to block but gets beaten and hit on the pads. 

2.2: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Bowls this one slightly full and angled into the stumps. Usman Khawaja clips this towards mid-wicket. 

2.1: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Kagiso Rabada starts the over with a vicious delivery bowled back of a length and just outside off. Usman Khawaja looks to block but is early into his shot and the ball hits the handle of his bat. 

1.6: Anrich Nortje to David Warner, FOUR BYES! Misses everyone! It is a sharp bouncer, down the leg side. David Warner leaves it alone. Although it is too high for the keeper as well. It races away to the fine leg fence.

1.5: Anrich Nortje to David Warner, A length ball, on the pads, Warner closes the face of the bat and helps it towards mid-wicket with soft hands.

1.4: Anrich Nortje to David Warner, Anrich Nortje serves it full, shaping across the left-hander. David Warner keeps his bat to himself.

1.3: Anrich Nortje to David Warner, Australia and David Warner are off the mark here. Back of a length, on middle and leg. David Warner hangs back and pulls it down to deep square leg. They take two runs. 

1.2: Anrich Nortje to David Warner, A bit shorter, on the bodyline. Warner goes back and tucks it to the man at short leg.

1.1: Anrich Nortje to David Warner, Anrich Nortje steams in from the other end with the new ball. He serves it on a length, on off. Warner opens the face and guides it to point. No run though.

0.6: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Kagiso Rabada starts his spell with a maiden. This is a length ball, on top of off. It flies off the deck. Usman Khawaja hangs back and creates way for the ball by lifting his blade.

0.5: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Fifth dot now! Outside off, shaping away. Usman Khawaja has no shot to offer.

0.4: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Goes full and on off. Usman Khawaja gets his blade down in time to defend it out.

0.3: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Make that three now! This is shorter, around off, closer to the body this time. Usman Khawaja reads it well and shoulders his arms at it.

0.2: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, Two dots in a row! Rabada goes short, angling away from the left-hander. Usman Khawaja lets it be.

0.1: Kagiso Rabada to Usman Khawaja, A dot to start with! Kagiso Rabada starts with a length ball, on middle and leg. Usman Khawaja nudges it to short leg.