IT WAS a wild ride from start to finish on the first day in Hobart with 15 wickets falling in Australia’s battle to save the series.
It began with a batting collapse worse than we saw at the WACA, skittling the Aussies for 85 on a greenish deck — but then South Africa succumbed to a wild spell from Mitchell Starc which evened the playing field.
Here were the top five talking points from day one:
AUSSIES’ EMBARRASSING COLLAPSE
Where it all went wrong.Source:Getty Images
As soon as David Warner needlessly flashed one to the slips in the first five minutes, Australia’s hopes of a big innings were looking grim. The seam provided by the green Hobart deck was all the Proteas needed to carve through the Australian line-up and send them back to the sheds for 85 in just over 30 overs. Top performances from Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott will have Australia playing much more defensively in the second inning. A handy performance from Steve Smith (48 not-out) was their only redeeming factor as the top order dropped like flies.
FERGUSON’S BROTHER STORMS OFF IN DISBELIEF
Nobody wants to run themselves out — least of all on debut for Australia. That wasn’t the worst of it, either, the man who ran him out (Dane Vilas) was also a substitute fielder.
After arriving to the crease with Australia in disarray, Ferguson had a huge job to do with Steve Smith to steady the ship, but the debut jitters appeared to have got to the 31-year-old. He took off for a risky run while still on 3 and paid for it dearly, walking slowly back to the sheds with his head hung low. Ferguson’s brother, Lachlan had travelled from London to see his debut, but it wasn’t everything he expected. He sprung out of his seat in surprise and stormed off out of view after the red light was given on his brother’s run-out decision.
“It was a very eventful 12 deliveries he faced, I enjoyed it thoroughly until the bitter end,” he said.
SMITH, PHILANDER’S HUGE COLLISION
Ouch. Philander goes down after colliding with Steve Smith.Source:AAP
It was a scary sight for South African fans when star bowler Vernon Philander hit the deck after coming into contact with Steve Smith as the Aussie skipper went through for a run. It was all happening in Hobart after that, with Faf du Plessis going upstairs to review a possible LBW decision with his fast bowler in agony on the ground. Smith survived the call, and Philander was soon back in action with the ball.
PHILANDER’S WORLD-BEATING STATISTIC
Vernon Philander has the best bowling average in history for bowlers in teams who have won the toss and elected to bowl. His figures of 5-21 at an economy rate of 2.06 stood out from the rest of the pack and will give South Africa the confidence they need after the shock departure of Dale Steyn to a shoulder injury in the previous test. Luckily for Philander, his injury scare after Steve Smith’s collision seemed to be nothing serious as he returned the field in full fitness.
JOE MENNIE’S CAMEO WITH THE BAT
If you looked at Joe Mennie’s on-drive out of context, you could mistake him for a number three batsman. The 27-year-old debutant was brought to the crease much earlier than anticipated at 6/31, but it didn’t seem to bother him. A perfectly-timed drive to the boundary to get off the mark was enough for fans to scream his name to the heavens as their saviour — but it was short-lived. Mennie and Smith put on the highest partnership of the innings (28), but he soon succumbed to a Vernon Philander who bowled him for 10 in the 29th over.
Take back everything I said about Rod Marsh's giving Joe Mennie the gong on the basis of his superior batting. #AUSvSA
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) November 12, 2016
Joe Mennie, quality inclusion, second highest scorer in his first test match... bright future. #cricket #ausvsa #auscricket #Mennie
— Mick Williams (@MickyWill17) November 12, 2016
