South Africa vs Australia 2018: 1st Test Match, Durban- Day 1 Review
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 28: Steven Smith (Captain) of Australia and Faf du Plessis (Captain) of South Africa during the trophy presentation at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on February 28, 2018 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images/Gettyt Images)

It is a well-established phenomenon by now that past 30 days in South Africa hasn’t been memorable for them by any means. After the humiliation at the hand of the Indians in the ODI and Test series, the Proteas were determined to post some sort of a show in front of their fans.

The hosts were buoyed with the return of their stars, the D-factor of the South Africa cricket, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock.

Australia, however, had their confidence sky high after recent victories against England in the Ashes. The two heavyweights of Test cricket kicked off the high-octane series at Kingsmead, Durban.

South Africa vs Australia 2018: 1st Test Match, Durban- Day 1 Review
Steven Smith (Captain) of Australia and Faf du Plessis (Captain) of South Africa. (Photo by Gerhard Duran/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Morning Session

Captain of the Australian team, Steve Smith, started the game on the right foot as he won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Kangaroos had their task cut out to face the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander with the new ball.

Australian opener, who recently joined the team post his successful campaign in New Zealand, showed no signs fatigue as he continued his rich form with the bat, irrespective of the formats.

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The visitors lost the wicket of Barncroft cheaply off a beauty from Philander. Usman Khawaja soon followed the opener shortly with the score at 39-2. Rabada managed to clinch the wicket of Khawaja, the very first over he bowled in his spell.

South Africa vs Australia 2018: 1st Test Match, Durban- Day 1 Review
Vernon Philander of South Africa. Credits: Getty

Two seniormost batsmen for the Australians, David Warner and Steve Smith consolidated soon after the double blows. The two were involved in a 56 run partnership which came at just 92 balls.

Warner soon departed after bringing up his 28th Test fifty at the stroke of lunch. The southpaw succumbed to an away going delivery from Philander and was caught in the slips while batting on 51.

Post Lunch Session

South Africa vs Australia 2018: 1st Test Match, Durban- Day 1 Review
David Warner of Australia. Credits: Getty

In came Shaun Marsh and forged another important partnership of 56 runs which came off 136 balls with his captain. Steve Smith soon reached his fifth consecutive 50+ scores in Test cricket.

Just when things were getting ominous for South Africa with the ever consistent Smith looking to pile on runs, Keshav Maharaj clinched the priced wicket of Smith.

Smith, on 56, trying to accelerate the run rate after a lull in the middle, ended up nicking a wide delivery from Maharaj. The off-spinner soon gave a double blow to the Australians, as he broke the partnership between the Marsh brothers.

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Shaun Marsh was the third batsman who got a start and gave it away off a nothing shot. The elder of two Marshes added 40 runs to his name.

Final session

South Africa vs Australia 2018: 1st Test Match, Durban- Day 1 Review
Steve Smith of Australia. Credits: Getty

However, post tea, bad lights interrupted play with fifteen overs remaining in the day. But not before Mitchell Marsh and Tim Paine saved the day for the touring side with their unbeaten partnership of 47 runs. The two took the Australian scoreboard from 177-5 to 225-5, before bad lights forced play to call off on Day 1.

After losing the toss, South African captain Faf du Plessis would be mighty pleased with the efforts of his boys. Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj were the pick of the bowlers as they scalped a couple of wickets each.

Meanwhile, Australia would feel they gave away a couple of wickets too many to the home side. Smith and Warner would be kicking themselves to give their wickets away on a decent pitch after getting starts.