Australia vs South Africa: South Africa beat Australia by 177 runs in the first Test

Australia vs South Africa: South Africa beat Australia 177 runs in the first Test and take 1-0 lead in the three-match series

South Africa takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match series by winning the first Test at Perth. The visitor defeated the host by a margin of 177 runs at WACA, Perth. South Africa in the second innings set a massive target for the host-Australia. The host manages to score 361 before spinner Keshav Maharaj took the wicket of Nathan Lyon and closed the proceeding to register a historic victory for South Africa. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took five wickets in the second innings and seven in the match, as a result, he was adjudged man of the match.

South Africa in the second innings post 540 runs with the help of Dean Elgar’s 127 and JP Duminy’s 141. Australia had to chase down 539 in one and half days, but South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada following his two wickets haul in the first innings, wrecked havoc on the Australian batting line up.

Australia on day four lost four wickets; so on the fifth and final day South Africa needed just six more wickets to take the lead in the three-match series. Rabada in the absence of injured Dale Steyn took over the responsibility to play the role of the lead bowler. The 21-year-old did it successfully. He was assisted by Vernon Philander and tweaker Keshav Maharaj. (Australia vs South Africa: Here are 10 interesting facts about South Africa’s latest debutante Keshav Maharaj)

Earlier in the match South Africa captain Faf du Plessis winning the toss elected to bat first and bowled out for a paltry total of 242 as Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc ripped them apart. Australia in reply got off to an outstanding start from opening duo David Warner and Shaun Marsh. Warner scored a quick fire half century but missed his hundred by three runs when he played a lazy shot against Dale Steyn’s outside off stump delivery and caught at the first slip. Warner’s dismissal opened the gate that lead to a big collapse. Entire Australian team collapsed for 86 runs after getting a 158 runs from the first wicket partnership. Australia got just two runs lead. (Side effects of Delhi pollution: Bengal vs Gujarat Ranji Trophy match cancelled; set to be rescheduled)

South Africa in their second innings lost Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla early. But opener Dean Elgar and JP Duminy put up a great fight and built a 250 runs partnership that helped South Africa to set a 539 runs total for the host. The host even failed to reach close to the improbable total as Rabada and Co. wrecked havoc on the South African batting order. This historic victory came after South Africa whitewashed Australia in ODI series at their home. Now this victory at the backward of Australia means the touring party has taken a 1-0 lead over the host in the three-match series which will help them to gain confidence before the next two Tests in Hobart and Adelaide.