South Africa have had to put up with a fair few grumbles about their place in this World Test Championship final and grew tired of the topic during the build-up. Other than pointing folks in the direction of the International Cricket Council, the teams who can afford to arrange more fixtures, and the league table they topped, the only response they could really give was to compete out on the field.
It was a case of mission accomplished with the ball, at least, even if a topsy-turvy opening day that saw 14 wickets fall ended with Australia in the ascendancy. Led by Kagiso Rabada, a player dogged by headlines about his recent ban for cocaine use, the Proteas were delighted to skittle the defending champions for 212 in two-and-a-half sessions, only to close on a troubling 43 for four in reply.
A penny for the thoughts of Temba Bavuma. Other than missing the chance to review what would have been a three-red lbw against Beau Webster on nine – the giant all-rounder went on to top score with 72 – South Africa’s captain had enjoyed a pretty faultless day in the field. It helps to have a bowler with the qualities of Rabada, who claimed five for 51, but Bavuma still shuffled his pack shrewdly.
And yet by the close Bavuma found himself clinging on for dear life amid a clatter of wickets, reaching three not out after taking 31 balls to get off the mark. It was tough going out there, Mitchell Starc wiping out both openers, Pat Cummins castling auxiliary No 3 Wiann Mulder, and Josh Hazlewood doing the same to Tristan Stubbs. Bavuma will resume alongside David Bedingham in the morning, the pair charged with chiselling away at a 169-run deficit.
Ali Martin’s full report to follow