REPORT: Proteas on the verge of humiliating defeat in Australia

Coming into the first Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, the Proteas were always going to be underdogs, and things immediately turned against them when Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first. The pitch was covered with a heavy layer of green grass, and certainly looked suited to the seamers on a cloudy morning.

As it turned out, Temba Bavuma (38) and Kyle Verreynne (64) were the only batsmen to put up some resistance in the first innings, but in the end, South Africa finished on 152 all out, with many wickets falling to very average deliveries.

The Proteas’ bowlers did a decent job to keep South Africa in the Test as they bowled the hosts out for 218, with Kagiso Rabada (4-76) and Marco Jansen (3-32) impressing.

However, the much-maligned SA batting lineup crumbled once again, with Sarel Erwee, Dean Elgar and Rassie van der Dussen all dismissed cheaply as the Proteas were left in dire straits at 5-3 at the start of their second innings.

Bavuma (29) again put up some resistance with Khaya Zondo, but before tea, a host of quick wickets fell as the Proteas were left reeling at 66-7 – having brought the scores level, although that wasn’t any consolation.

The fact of the matter is that Australia will be expected to wrap up the innings and then quickly knock off the needed runs in the final session, ultimately condemning SA to a humbling defeat inside two days.

There will be massive questions that persist about the Proteas’ brittle batting lineup and underperforming top order, particularly considering in-form players such as Ryan Rickleton and Tony de Zorzi were not picked for this series.

The second Test starts on Boxing Day, with the Proteas needing to resolve a lot of issues in very quick time.

You can check out the first Test scoreboard here

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Before the start of this opening Test, Proteas captain Dean Elgar had described the opportunity to play in Australia as ‘surreal’ and a ‘privilege’.

Elgar had also admitted that it was time for the batters to put up their hands up with strong performances in the series.

“I think all the batters have to stand up,” he added. “It’s been a bit of a talking point that’s surrounded our batting unit of late. Again I’ve never shied away from it and it’s time for the boys to rise up. It’s time for myself personally to really put my hand up and make a massive call and make a massive play for us.

“In saying that we have a really talented group, they’re just a little bit inexperienced when it comes to Test cricket. But that’s okay. They don’t have a lot of baggage again coming into this series. They’re massively talented and they just need to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way,” concluded Elgar.

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PROTEAS TEST SQUAD AGAINST AUSTRALIA

Dean Elgar (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Six Gun Grill Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

South Africa Test Tour to Australia Itinerary

Four-day Tour Match

09 – 12 December

Cricket Australia XI drew with South Africa – The Allan Border Field, Brisbane

Tests

17 – 21 December

Australia vs South Africa – The Gabba, Brisbane

26 – 30 December

Australia vs South Africa – MCG, Melbourne

04 – 08 January

Australia vs South Africa – SCG, Sydney

The Proteas squad. Photo: Twitter