Faf du Plessis remarks Mitchell Starc proved to be a big factor

Australia is now leading the four-match Tests series 1-0 against Faf du Plessis-led South Africa with a convincing 118-run win in Durban. The visitors tightened the noose on hosts which subsequently saw them wrapping the Test on day five.

Despite prolific hundred from opening batsman Aiden Markram and some resistance from wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, the Proteas were bowled on 298 in second innings. The hosts started off the proceedings with the overnight score of 293.

De Kock was the last man to go on the bowling of Josh Hazlewood after scoring gritty 83.

In 18 minutes on the morning of day five, the Proteas added just five runs before Australia continued their imperious record on the South African soil.

On the other side, with the kick off of the gruelling series in the Rainbow Nation, Steven Smith’s deputy David Warner was animated.

However, the infamous face-off between Warner and de Kock has grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Reverse swing did the trick for Australia:

The 28-year-old speedster Mitchell Starc earned the Man of the match award for his splendid bowling. He sealed the match figures with nine for 109 at Kingsmead.

However, the hosts’ skipper du Plessis believed the left-arm pace gun was a major difference.

Splendid across format Starc’s ability to reverse the ball has been a morale booster for the visitors.

“There was a real difference in skill with the reverse swing,” Du Plessis was quoted by AFP.

The 33-year-old middle-order batsman du Plessis struggled with the bat. He scored 15 and 4 in Durban Test.

On the other hand, du Plessis stated the young pacer Kagiso Rabada has the potential from Proteas fold. He added the runs would be crucial late down the order during the ongoing Test series.

“Starc reverse swings the ball at pace and the only weapon we have right now is Kagiso. As I said before the series, it’s going to be a real crucial part, the amount of runs scored between eight and eleven,”  Faf du Plessis mainted.

The second Test is slated for March 9 at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, as the hosts would be pressing to level the series.

Here’s the newsfeed:

Twitteratti reacts to Australian win in Durban Test

Graeme Smith condemns Australia’s conduct, calls David Warner a fool