AUS v SA 1st Test: Rabada fires South Africa to victory

 

Perth: Paceman Kagiso Rabada bowled an understrength South Africa to a 177-run victory over Australia on Monday, giving the visitors the upper hand at the start of the three-test series. The South Africans entered the series without injured captain A.B. de Villiers, and their depth was tested severely when pace spearhead Dale Steyn fractured his right shoulder on the second day and was ruled out of the remainder of the series. The young attack, led by Rabada's 5-92 in the second innings, rallied to ensure South Africa continued its unbeaten run in tests at the WACA ground and ended a long streak for the Australians, who hadn't lost the first test of a home series since 1988. Australia started on top, having the South Africans reeling at 81-5 on the first day before bowling them out for 242. After a commanding start to the reply, with opening pair David Warner and Shaun Marsh putting on 158 runs, the Australians lost 10 wickets for 86 runs. The slide was triggered by Steyn's dismissal of Warner for 97 — the veteran South African bowler's last act of the series. The depleted South Africa lineup dictated play from there, with Dean Elgar (127) and Jean-Paul Duminy (141) sharing a 250-run stand for the third wicket to set up South Africa's 540-8 declared. That set Australia an improbable victory target of 539, and again the hosts started positively before Warner was spectacularly run out by Temba Bavuma's diving, direct hit with an under-arm throw. After resuming the last day at 169-4, the Australians were dismissed for 361 at the end of an extended middle session. South Africa showed greater resilience in adapting to the pitch and through patience, perseverance and grafting outplayed the Australians. Usman Khawaja hit himself back into form and top scored with 97 in four hours. He was unlucky to miss a century when he was trapped lbw by leftarm spinner Duminy. The lower order rallied around Peter Nevill (60 not out) to delay the inevitable till tea. Rabada, playing only his ninth test, bowled like a veteran, did most of the damage early, producing a superb spell of reverse swing bowling to remove skipper Australian Steve Smith (34) and Adam Voges (1). After a six-over spell when he claimed Mitchell Marsh (26) lbw, Rabada left the field to ice his bowling should and returned just before the lunch break to trap Mitchell Starc lbw with the second new ball. He finished with seven wickets for the match. The teams head to Hobart for the second test starting Saturday.