South Africa took a firm grip on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final at the hallowed Lords reducing the reigning world champions for an ordinary looking score of 212 on a brilliant 5 wicket take by Kagiso Rabada, but Australia’s bowlers led by Mitchell Starc with a first over wicket of Aiden Markram followed by that of Rickleton, hit back as the Proteas were reduced to 43 for 4 with Josh Hazelwood and skipper Pat Cummins taking one eac as the Proteas trailed by 169 run with six wickets intact and with the Aussies very much back in the game.
On an opening day that the ball reigned over the bat for a good part pf the proceedings bar two fighting half centuries by Steve Smith who made 66 snd Beau Webster 72 in a rescuing 79 runs for the fifth wicket in stemming a collapse after Australia were TV reeling on 67 for 4, the fast men of either side called the shots.
Rabada, in the process of his 5 wicket haul, surpassed Allan Donald up to become the fourth South African all-time Test wicket-taker.
But left-arm quick Mitchell Starc brought Australia back into the gsme removing openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton cheaply.
Markram departed for a duck, undone by an inswinging yorker, while Rickelton tentatively edged to Usman Khawaja in the slips.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins then bowled Wiaan Mulder through the gate before Josh Hazlewood snuck one past the defence of Tristan Stubbs.
Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham will resume on day two, unbeaten on three and eight respectively.”
Australia 212 all out: Webster 72, Smith 66; Rabada 5-51, Jansen 3-49
South Africa 43-4: Rickelton 16; Starc 2-10
South Africa trail by 169 runs
