After the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Melbourne, David Warner got off to a strong start in his 100th Test, putting Australia in a strong position. Warner hit 32 not out as Australia bowled out South Africa for just 189 after Tea and were 45 for 1 at Stumps.After losing the Brisbane Test by 0 and 3, Warner was under a lot of pressure. As he entered his historic Test with questions about his future, the opener had to deny retirement rumours. Warner was present alongside his daughters and wife to pay tribute to the legendary Shane Warne and pose with the Baggy Green before the start of the day’s play.
Boxing Day Test Day 1
South Africa vs. Australia: Highlights Warner hit three boundaries to capitalise on a shaky start from South Africa’s bowling attack, particularly Kagiso Rabada. Australia got off to a strong start despite losing Usman Khawaja thanks to Warner’s 32 from 51 balls. In the seventh over, Rabada, who sprayed it all over the field for Warner, was on target to strike Khawaja out, who was caught behind for one.After being blown away on a green top at the Gabba in the first Test, which ended in two days, South Africa’s batting was disappointing once more.
In a solid 112-run partnership, only wicketkeeper Verreynne and all-rounder Marco Jansen reached fifty. In front of a 60,000-strong crowd, South Africa batters struggled to deal with the quality of the Australian attack on either side of the big partnership.As South Africa lost their final five wickets for just 10 runs, all-rounder Cameron Green picked up his first five-wicket haul by running through the lower middle order.South Africa’s batsmen had started cautiously, scoring 56 runs before losing Sarel Erwee (18) and Theunis de Bruyn (12).
ELGAR IS DISAPPOINTED AGAIN
Captain Elgar attempted a risky single to mid-off in the penultimate over before lunch but was run out by a direct hit from Marnus Labuschagne just as the touring team appeared to be on its way to lunch with only two wickets remaining. Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Cameron Green took wickets in the first session of play, and Temba Bavuma was caught behind for one off the following delivery.
Erwee was caught at third slip at 29-1, and hometown hero Boland, who made his test debut in Melbourne a year ago, dealt the first blow of the day.
South Africa had called up top-order batsman de Bruyn for his first test since 2019, but the right-handed batsman top-edged a pull shot off Green’s bowling. Green stole the show a few days earlier when he got a record-breaking Rs 17.5 crore deal at the IPL 2023 mini auction.