Internationals

South Africa 242 v Australia 105-0 - Stumps, Day One

Reports from Test matches in Australia, UAE and Zimbabwe

ON THE evidence of this first day, Australia have got their swagger back as David Warner ended the final session by delivering a fusillade of boundaries past a struggling South Africa.

Swept 3-0 in Sri Lanka and coming into this Test series off the back of five ODI defeats to the Proteas, the Baggy Green were desperate for some inspiration at the WACA.

And it arrived via the fourth ball of the morning, with Mitchell Starc (4-71) removing Stephen Cook for a duck that prompted a top-order collapse.

South Africa recovered from 32-4 thanks to strong efforts from Temba Bavuma (51) and Quinton de Kock (84) but Australia made huge inroads into their total of 242 before stumps.

Warner crashed 73 unbeaten runs from 62 balls – 58 of his runs came from boundaries – while Shaun Marsh made a measured 29 not out to leave Australia on 105-0 overnight.

And left-armer Starc admits he could not have envisioned a better start to the Australian summer.

“It was a lot nicer to bowl on than Sri Lanka,” said Starc, who had been rested for the one-day series.

“It’s always nice coming back home and starting a summer of cricket at home.There were a few nerves floating around the changing room at the start of the day.

“The way we finished the day, you probably couldn’t have asked for anything better.

“The way (Warner) can change the game with his little flourish of runs, it’s what he does so well for us.”

The swashbuckling Warner also rode his luck after video technology suggested he was out lbw to Vernon Philander while on 17 – only for the seamer to have over-stepped.

“Australia has the upper hand at the moment, but the game is definitely far from over,” said Bavuma.“There will be opportunities to get Warner out.”