And here’s your match report:
Australia 152 all out defeated by South Africa 153-4 (29.2 overs)
A jarring loss here for the home side, for whom everything that could go wrong, did.
Australia came to the brand new Optus Stadium seeking a new era, a new start, equipped with some energy and elite honesty, and will rightly leave dejected. After losing the toss on an unexpectedly lively wicket, they were roundly spanked by a clinical South Africa.
Arriving with a cabal of four quicks, it was Australia instead who were rounded up early, slumping to 12-3 in an early South African onslaught. While there was much life in the Optus Stadium wicket, Australian batsmen succumbed to some pretty questionable shot selection, which will rightly beg further questions about whether there is something systemically wrong in the High Performance ranks.
Alex Carey partly shone, as did Nathan Coulter-Nile, but this was an entire team collapse, complete with comical run-out for good measure. Phehlukwayo grabbed three and the rest were shared around. South Africa bowled well in the conditions, making sure they continually challenged the right area, allowing the wickets and Australian impatience do the rest.
The second innings was in South Africa’s control from the start, and didn’t relent. Following the script of a low-scoring walkover, a few late wickets might add consolation gloss to the scorecard, but the reality is De Kock and the newly capped Hendricks destroyed Australia’s hopes early, courtesy of solid strokeplay, and capitalising on errant Australian bowling. De Kock, in particular, looked a class above in his knock of 47.
For Australia, Cummins and Stoinis were the pick, but it was really over before it began.
Attention will now turn to the nation’s batting malaise ahead of Adelaide next Friday. It will rightly be connected to deeper issues within Australian cricket. This is now starting to look like a long-term recovery for Australia.
With that in mind, we’ll see you next Friday for the next chapter of Australian cricket drama.
Thanks for joining, and give the below a read for further colour on the state of the Australian summer game.
South Africa win by six wickets
Miller clips two from his first ball, and South Africa completes an extremely simple victory.
After a week, month, half year of tumult in Australian cricket, today was a chance to enact the cliche ‘let’s just play cricket.’ Today’s performance will reinforce growing doubts that Australia are now seriously off the pace at international level.
A few thoughts to come.
Updated
WICKET! Klaasen caught Finch bowled Stoinis 2 (South Africa 151-4)
Another for Stoinis. It’s back of a length, Klaasen throws his hands at it, and edges it healthily to Finch at perfectly catchable height. Three for the West Aussie, disappointing for Klaasen. Miller to the crease.
29th over: South Africa 151-3 (Klaasen 2, Du Plessis 10)
Last rites here, as Du Plessis takes Starc for the over. On the final ball, Du Plessis slaps Starc through cover point for three, leaving South Africa with three to win.
28th over: South Africa 145-3 (Klaasen 1, Du Plessis 7)
Reward for Stoinis, disappointment for Markram. All evidence points to a bright future for Markram - he looks a fantastic batsman. Klaasen comes to the crease and gets himself off strike quickly. South Africa have ten to win here.
WICKET! Markram bowled Stoinis 36 (South Africa 143-3)
Ball stays very low here, and slow, and Markram chops on. It’s a consolation wicket, and Markram is furious. He flings his bat in anger (doesn’t let go of it), akin to a child keen to absolutely smash all three stumps after dismissal. He keeps it in check, but he’s filthy. Another wicket for Stoinis.
27th over: South Africa 143-2 (Markram 36, Du Plessis 4)
Starc returns, as Faf continues his net. He’s in no hurry, and gets two at one point through cover. There’s a crowd catch, whose roar sounds palpably hollow, given there are about 9000 people in a 60000 seat stadium. Starc tries a yorker later - it looks fast, but Faf digs it out. Bumper to finish, Faf sways out of the way.
26th over: South Africa 141-2 (Markram 36, Du Plessis 2)
Stoinis has been serviceable in his early overs, but it all feels very imbued with the spirit of consolation at the moment. But he lets himself down with a half volley on Markram’s pads - there has been too many of these - and Markram whips him uppishly for four.
25th over: South Africa 136-2 (Markram 32, Du Plessis 1)
Markram swivels a rising Hazlewood delivery from the splice/glove past Carey for four to start the over, putting the Aussie quick on the back foot. There’s a leg bye, and a single that gets Du Plessis off the mark.
24th over: South Africa 130-2 (Markram 28, Du Plessis 0)
The over notable for Markram clipping one to mid-on, and Chris Lynn providing a classic Harbour Bridge, tumbling over the top of it and the ball thus running for four. He’s injured, we were told earlier, so it’s semi-understandable. Seven from the over.
23rd over: South Africa 123-2 (Markram 21, Du Plessis 0)
It’s Hazlewood to Du Plessis, and, well, does Du Plessis now set up like Steve Smith? The bat waves high and wild and wide as Hazlewood runs in. He absorbs five balls, and then the over finishes. Sweet Caroline now plays at Optus Stadium. Couldn’t have come sooner.
22nd over: South Africa 122-2 (Markram 20, Du Plessis 0)
Stoinis gets a run, and it’s a steady start. He beats Hendricks on the inside later in the over - it garners a half appeal - but it’s down leg. Eventually Hendricks loses patience and tries to loft Stoinis straight. He pops it to Lynn, bringing to end a pretty good innings. He’ll be disappointed with the manner of its conclusion, but he’s otherwise got his side home.
WICKET! Hendricks caught Lynn 44 (South Africa 122-2)
Stoinis enters and grabs Australia’s second wicket. The ball just holds up off the wicket and Hendricks - trying to hit Stoinis straight - loses his shape in its ugly entirety. His hand came off the bat, he slinked as the ball lobbed to Lynn at mid on, who came around to take an easy catch. Did it hit a crack? Who knows. South Africa will win soon. Good knock from Hendricks.
21st over: South Africa 122-1 (Markram 20, Hendricks 44)
Hazlewood returns, overpitches early, and Markram leans into an off-drive for four. South Africa needs 39 to win. And then, an even better cover drive, with Markram lashing one away with a full flow of the hands. Next ball - bang! A pull shot now. Four. It’s fourteen from the over. Australia not long for this match.
Kerry O’Keefe keeps talking about Josh Hazlewood’s massive hands. This is great commentary. #AUSvSA
— Laura Caughey (@el_cee17) November 4, 2018
Updated
20th over: South Africa 108-1 (Markram 6, Hendricks 44)
Cummins, who’s been Australia’s best by far, finds a genuine Markram edge first ball and it just evades Finch at second slip. Hendricks then executes yet another stand-up back-foot punch through cover for three - he’s looking far more comfortable against Cummins now. Little else, as Warne says he’d just take the Aussies “for a beer and a chat” to work through solutions for improvement.
Updated
19th over: South Africa 103-1 (Markram 5, Hendricks 41)
Another tight punch through the off side from the back foot of Hendricks moves him into the forties. Coulter-Nile looks a run below his colleagues here, too. He batted well, but seems to lack penetration here. He gives room to Markram later on, who flays him square through the offside for another three. Seven off the over.
Nice tweet from Phil, below. In respect of diligence and patience, can I cynically suggest it’s increasingly profitable to be the opposite?
@sjjperry I feel that the cultural revolution due to hit Australian cricket may need to go deeper than just arrogance and entitlement. Learning how to play with diligence and patience should be top of the list of priorities. Very poor showing tonight
— phil withall (@phil_withall) November 4, 2018
18th over: South Africa 96-1 (Markram 2, Hendricks 38)
Markram a little uncertain in his early battle with Cummins, but who wouldn’t be facing the Australian bowling 140km in fading light. It manifests in an appeal from Cummins, whose query on a caught behind down the leg side is given, before it’s overturned. Cummins is bowling fast and accurately, but Markram survives.
South Africa Review Successful
Australia appealed for an under-edge down the leg side, taken by Carey. Aleem Dar gave it, but Markram was extremely nonchalant in calling for a review.
South Africa Review
Markram given out caught behind
17th over: South Africa 94-1 (Markram 0, Hendricks 38)
Bowling change now, Nathan Coulter-Nile returns. He starts with a wide half-volley, but Hendricks can only cane him to cover point. He tries to sway out of the way of the second one - it takes his arm and bounces through the legs of Finch at second slip. It brings De Kock on strike, and another leg stump half volley is swung backward of square for four. He then gets De Kock, bringing Markram to the crease. Markram looked excellent against Australia last time they met, will be great to catch him again here.
WICKET! De Kock caught Hazlewood b Coulter-Nile 47 (South Africa 94-1)
Finally, a wicket. After getting pumped backward of square, Coulter-Nile holds the next one back. De Kock tries to hit this one over the sight screen, but skies it. The catch is simple enough, but well held by Hazlewood who moved back to take it on the edge of the circle at mid off. Great knock from De Kock - he looked class.
16th over: South Africa 89-0 (De Kock 43, Hendricks 37)
As we start the over, South Africa needs 70 from 208 deliveries. They’ve ten wickets in hand, and it’s all too easy. Hendricks is now finding the middle of the back, and crunches Cummins through cover for four. Cummins responds with a leg-cutter that beats the South African.
Updated
15th over: South Africa 83-0 (De Kock 42, Hendricks 33)
Starc continues, and midway through the over a short one sees De Kock flash his blade in jump upper-cut style. He gets a top edge, and plenty on it, so if flies over second slip away for four. Starc then gets a shot at Hendricks, who I think both Starc and Cummins fancy nabbing. The left-armer gives him one of those round-the-wicket yorkers and nearly breaks his defence. But then, out of nowhere, Hendricks unleashes a brutal pull shot that cracks off his blade, the ball speeding to the ropes. Ten from the over.
Mark Waugh on how Australia needs to bat: “You can’t bat with fear. But you can’t be reckless either. You’ve got to be smart.”
14th over: South Africa 73-0 (De Kock 37, Hendricks 28)
Cummins, continuing his dominance of Henricks, gets one to rear up and it canons into Hendricks’ shoulder. Looks like it hit a crack, the bounce was outrageous. Hendricks reeled away, no doubt in great pain. The consensus is it ‘played up’, to use Mark Waugh’s words. Coldplay’s God Put A Smile Upon Your Face plays while he receives some treatment; not sure Hendricks feels that way just now. Cummins then bowls a bouncer, and Hendricks needs to get off strike. He does better than that though, punching one off the back foot through the vacant point region for three, and a break. It doesn’t last long, as a De Kock single brings him back on. Hendricks responds with a single of his own. Five from it.
That ball was dangerous. Hits Hendricks in the shoulder but very nearly the throat #AUSvSA
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) November 4, 2018
13th over: South Africa 68-0 (De Kock 36, Hendricks 24)
Kerry O’Keeffe and Mark Waugh are conducting a full scale technical and tactical analysis of Pat Cummins’ bowling. It’s refreshing. I’m half waiting for the pizza topping poll to pop up and restore this overt intellectualism. Mean time, Starc has De Kock bunting a bouncer that comes on a bit quickly. Later, Hendricks finally gets some much-needed width and hammers one through his favoured off-side. The sting is taken out of it from short cover - but he gets three. Six from it. South Africa roll on.
‘Dream with us,Smile with us’ !!! #AUSvSA
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 4, 2018
12th over: South Africa 62-0 (De Kock 34, Hendricks 21)
Cummins is bowling brilliantly here. And Kerry O’Keeffe is in a class of his own in commentary. He notes that Hendricks plonks his front foot straight down the line of middle stump, and that a fourth stump line will eventually do him in. It’s jarring to hear such insight on Australian TV commentary - I hope it’s well received. Though South Africa are well ahead, Cummins seems a bit too much for Hendricks here. He’s too quick, and is offering him no width, which Hendricks needs. He finishes by thumping Henricks on the thigh. The end result is a maiden, and an intangible points decision to ‘P Cummins’, as Kerry calls him.
11th over: South Africa 62-0 (De Kock 34, Hendricks 21)
A bit of a lull here and Hendricks and De Kock negotiate Cummins and Starc. It’s prompted a Summit on Australian Cricket with Gilchrist, Smith and Warne on TV comms, and the latter is waxing very lyrical. As ever, it’s about “natural aggression” and “forgetting 200 page documents”. Just be like us.
"Diarrhoea" and "vomit" used in the same sentence by Warne when discussing elite honesty, reviews and pacts #AUSvSA
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) November 4, 2018
10th over: South Africa 57-0 (De Kock 33, Hendricks 18)
It’s Cummins into the attack, and he has Hendricks hopping. A few inside edges into the inner thigh, and nary a front foot press to be seen. The brains trust are sufficiently encouraged to bring Travis Head under the lid, and Cummins beats him with the three-card trick. It’s full, and beats Hendricks’ outside edge. “Two wickets,” cries Carey.
On another note, am slightly amused by the continual camera cross to Justin Langer in the dressing room. Feels like it’s deliberately shaky, a bit of confected drama, AFL style.
9th over: South Africa 57-0 (De Kock 33, Hendricks 18)
A quieter over, with the exception of Hazlewood crushing one into De Kock’s hand. The slow motion replays always hurt to watch. De Kock’s otherwise happy to see him off. Two from the over.
8th over: South Africa 55-0 (De Kock 31, Hendricks 18)
Starc continues. He’s bowling to Hendricks, who’s significantly more circumspect than his partner, De Kock. But as I write that, he cracks a glorious cover drive on the up between mid off and cover for four. It brings up fifty for South Africa. They won’t spend long there, as Hendricks digs another one wide of mid-off for four.
So, uh, does @FoxCricket / @FOXCricketLive have the rights to Shawshank Redemption? Miiiiiiight be needing it soon #AUSvRSA
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) November 4, 2018
7th over: South Africa 47-0 (De Kock 31, Hendricks 10)
Hazlewood starts with a half-volley outside off. Three for Hendricks. Later, De Kock lifts the quick over square leg with a sumptuous flick, careering into the rope. And another through the leg side for three. There’s an argument Australia are ‘attacking’, but this is rank, planless, ‘both sides’ bowling. And if there is a side, it’s the leg side. Eleven from this over. An absolute shellacking as it stands.
6th over: South Africa 36-0 (De Kock 24, Hendricks 6)
It’s Starc to continue, and De Kock strokes him with ease through the off-side for two. “The crowd groans,” says Shane Warne, who’s spent the last five minutes canvassing all the ways Australia can come back into this. Starc’s then too straight, and De Kock works him through the leg side. It’s bad bowling, and too easy for De Kock. He’s straight again and he strikes De Kock on the pad. There’s a huge shout, Warne thinks it’s absolutely plum, and it’s going miles down leg. Australia choose not to review. De Kock then gets off strike with one pushed to mid off. It brings Hendricks on strike, who slices one through point for three. Eight from the over. Too easy.
South Africa need 125 runs from 45 overs
One of those scenarios where only an early wicket, a run out, something to knock South Africa off their equilibrium, will give Australia hope. If De Kock and Hendricks can take the score to fifty without loss, it will be curtains.
If you’re after a bit of class writing on a class player during this dinner break, look no further than Mr Ronay on James Anderson here:
Another would-be batsman puts his hand up today.
STUMPS | The skipper leading the way! 💯👏 A timely century that helps us reach stumps on Day 2 at 7-345 with a lead of 101 runs #vicsdoitbetter #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/WHXYgVn3nI
— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) November 4, 2018
Where stats and stories meet...
Australia have started with fire, but no finesse. Their average bowling speed in the first five overs was 143.7kph, compared to SA's 139.5kph, but their accuracy was down. Just 33% of their balls pitched on a good line and length, compared to 50% for SA at this stage. #AUSvSA
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 4, 2018
5th over: South Africa 28-0 (De Kock 19, Hendricks 3)
Hazlewood seems to have settled into his length (back of), but it doesn’t tempt Hendricks. He’s happy to leave the ball outside off, presumably with the dinner break in mind. His team are going at nearly six an over, so he’s right to do so. It’s a maiden, but all points go to South Africa.
And that’s the dinner break. Australia are just about shot here, but Gilly disagrees, “there’s life there!” he says. Much will have to change, because so far it’s been listless.
Mitchell Starc is having a tricky year in ODI cricket. Only once has he recorded a worse strike rate in a calendar year - he's never recorded a worse economy rate. #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/HKnRtT1Vg0
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 4, 2018
4th over: South Africa 28-0 (De Kock 19, Hendricks 3)
So it’s Starc, and it’s a little better. Most of them angle across Hendricks, who, eight balls into his innings, is yet to score. He then waves his bat at one, slashing it on the bounce toward third man for two, before running one down to the same area. Then, out of nowhere, one screams past De Kock. The South African has casually pressed onto the front foot, before rapidly flinging his head and body out of the way.
3rd over: South Africa 25-0 (De Kock 19, Hendricks 0)
Now Hazlewood starts with a half-volley. Again, De Kock doesn’t miss. Four. Next one is leg-side. Four. Soul-destroying stuff for Australia, brilliant for South Africa. Hazlewood then elicits an edge that falls safely short of second slip, and we hear a dim clap or two come through the stump mic. Hazlewood finds a length in the back half of the over, but Australia are otherwise all over the shop.
Starc now on...
Gee when was the last time Starc didn't take the new ball - in any match! #AusvSA
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) November 4, 2018
2nd over: South Africa 17-0 (De Kock 11, Hendricks 0)
Surprised it’s not Starc at the other end - were Coulter-Nile’s lower order runs reason to promote him? It doesn’t pay off here: Coulter-Nile delivers two half volleys on De Kock’s pads which are dispatched, then another floated to De Kock’s off stump, which also goes to the boundary. “Looks a different surface already,” says Graeme Smith. Maxwell saves another boundary after a short/wide one, followed by a wide down leg side that goes for four wides, and with that, Coulter-Nile has pretty much destroyed any small opportunity for momentum Australia had. Heads will be down.
1st over: South Africa 1-0 (De Kock 0, Hendricks 0)
Hazlewood starts well, getting one to lift past Hendricks’ bat, encouragingly taken by Carey above shoulder height. He hits the deck hard, and has Hendricks ‘locked’ at the crease - neither forward or back. There was a leg bye earlier. Tight stuff from Australia’s co-vice captain. Coulter-Nile from the other end...
Well, that happened. I was just enjoying a prosecco in the sun with my wife and some friends, young son playing happily on the picnic rug. Nek minute, I’m here on the livebloggery tools to chronicle this inauspicious start to the summer for the Australian national side.
To re-cap. Australia have been bowled out for 152, their lowest total at home in 20 years against South Africa. Feels they’re yielding unwanted records with regularity at the moment. There is a fundamental problem with the batting that runs deeper than the absence of Smith and Warner – and today further confirmed it.
In fairness, it was a great toss to win, and there’s the small (very small) possibility Australia’s four-pronged quicks can do some damage. The pitch was lively early, but is it sufficiently lively now to produce something special? Coulter-Nile’s lower-order runs suggested a flattening of the wicket that should suit the visitors.
Can Hazlewood, Cummins, Starc, NCN et al breathe any life into this? There’s a brooding sense of capitulation here. It will only take some lusty striking from De Kock and Makram to remove any potential sting. We’ll see.
As ever, for any thoughts, letters, threats and all else, email me at sam.perry.freelance@guardian.co.uk, or on the Twitters, where it’s @sjjperry
Hazlewood has the ball, for that awkward little period...
That really was a dismal batting effort from Australia. South Africa bowled and fielded superbly but so many of the wickets were gifted to them by poor batting. Can the bowlers turn 152 into a decent total? Find out with Sam Perry.
Updated
Australia all out 152
Because of how early Australia have been dismissed South Africa will begin their reply before the dinner break. Their innings will get underway in ten minutes.
WICKET! Coulter-Nile c Klaasen b Ngidi 34 (Australia 152)
Coulter-Nile might be regretting that decision to pinch a single. To the first ball of Ngidi’s over he slaps an attempted pull high into the Perth sky, allowing Klaasen to sweep around an pouch his third catch with the minimum of fuss.
39th over: Australia 151-9 (Coulter-Nile 34, Hazlewood 6) Hazlewood on strike for the start of Tahir’s over, can he survive? Yes, he can, defending a couple of straight ones and driving a single to bring Coulter-Nile back on strike. NCN doesn’t look too comfortable picking the leggie but scrambles a single to pinch the strike.
Updated
37th over: Australia 150-9 (Coulter-Nile 33, Hazlewood 5) Now, can Coulter-Nile slog Australia to something defendable with Josh Hazlewood at the non-striker’s end? He starts promisingly, pulling Ngidi powerfully for four, but then accepts the single on offer second ball. And why not!? Hazlewood belies his number 11 status with an impudent four, standing his ground and angling his bat and guiding a short delivery over the slip cordon to the vacant third-man boundary.
WICKET! Starc LBW Tahir 12 (Australia 140-9)
The runs are starting to flow for Australia now. Three leg-byes off Tahir are followed by another boundary, this time a slog-swept four from Starc. But that’s where the fun ends, Starc is beaten by a stock Tahir leggie and given out on-field by Aleem Dar. Starc reviews but DRS confirms there was no inside-edge, the ball pitched in line and was going on to hit leg stump.
Updated
Australia Review
Starc given LBW on-field.
35th over: Australia 132-8 (Coulter-Nile 28, Starc 7) Phehlukwayo replaces Rabada and after a couple of nondescript deliveries Starc attempts to smack him over long-off but gets under it and only just evades the fielder running back from mid-off. A single rotates the strike allowing Coulter-Nile to pull for six! The first maximum of the match from out of nowhere. Short from Phehlukwayo and the batsman was onto it in a flash, pulling hard, just clearing the man on the square-leg fence. A rare few moments for the home fans to cheer.
In their last four matches (all formats), no Australian has made more runs than Nathan Coulter-Nile. #AUSvSA
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) November 4, 2018
34th over: Australia 122-8 (Coulter-Nile 22, Starc 4) Frustrating over for Tahir. He bamboozles Coulter-Nile for a few deliveries for no reward before a thick outside-edge runs away for four.
33rd over: Australia 118-8 (Coulter-Nile 18, Starc 4) Coulter-Nile and Rabada resume battle and the points go to the Australian this over with the powerful right-handed batsman slapping a length delivery over mid-off for four. Starc gets in on the act later too, replicating the shot from a left-hander’s perspective. Australia need plenty more of this lower-order hitting if they’re to post a challenging total.
32nd over: Australia 107-8 (Coulter-Nile 11, Starc 0) Carey clearly the standout batsman for Australia so far but his was the latest in a series of dismissals that could be categorised as an unforced error. Credit to South Africa though, they have performed superbly.
Updated
WICKET! Carey c De Kock b Tahir 33 (Australia 107-8)
Du Plessis is persisting with Tahir but Carey has handled the spinner well. He continues that good form at the start of the 32nd over, driving behind square for four and then working him to the onside for a couple more. And then he gets himself out. Dear oh dear. Carey goes down on one leg and reaches forward for the lap sweep but doesn’t make good connection, feathering a top edge onto his arm and looping up for De Kock to make a simple catch jogging back from his mark. Yet another promising partnership curtailed with a needless dismissal.
Updated
31st over: Australia 101-7 (Carey 27, Coulter-Nile 11) This is good fun now with Coulter-Nile counter-attacking. After his boundary last over he sends another ball to the fence, this time a checked drive off Rabada. Furious, the fast bowler returns to rip one past Coulter-Nile’s gloves and then grimaces watching a length ball outside off stump swished at without contact.
30th over: Australia 96-7 (Carey 26, Coulter-Nile 7) Tahir to Coulter-Nile, this could be fun, and it is, the aggressive lower-order batsman smiting the leggie through the covers with no little force for four, then somehow preserving his wicket despite failing to read a googly that beats him all ends up.
29th over: Australia 90-7 (Carey 26, Coulter-Nile 1) Australia not covering themselves in glory today. South Africa have bowled and fielded faultlessly but some of the dismissals have been handed to them on a plate.
WICKET! Cummins run out (Miller) 12 (Australia 89-7)
Two overs is enough for that Steyn spell with Du Plessis recalling Rabada into the attack. Three balls in Carey tips and runs but Cummins is slow off the mark and David Miller swoops in from cover, picks up, dives and throws in one fluid motion, lighting up the zing bails before Cummins’ despairing dive takes him to safety. Super fielding from South Africa.
Updated
28th over: Australia 89-6 (Carey 26, Cummins 12) Rapid over-rate boosting over from Tahir that goes for a couple.
27th over: Australia 87-6 (Carey 26, Cummins 10) Superb over from Dale Steyn who is bowling with pace and rhythm, hitting perfect lines and lengths and finding just a hint of late away-swing with this white Kookaburra. Cummins leaves well throughout though, and nicks a single from the final delivery. Earlier in the over Steyn did find the edge of Cummins’ bat but it was defended with soft hands and didn’t carry to the cordon.
For all his pace and skill, Dale Steyn's accuracy has been immense today. 54% of his deliveries today have been on a good, in-between length; only once in the last five years has he found that length more often in the first half of an ODI innings. #AUSvSA
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 4, 2018
26th over: Australia 86-6 (Carey 26, Cummins 9) Carey welcomes Tahir to the crease for his third over of leg-spin by slog-sweeping powerfully for four over midwicket. South Africa send the second ball upstairs for an LBW review but Carey survives.
South Africa Review Unsuccessful
Carey just found a bottom edge to an attempted reverse sweep to Tahir and survives South Africa’s review.
South Africa Review
Carey given not-out LBW on-field.
25th over: Australia 82-6 (Carey 22, Cummins 9) Five overs three for 23 is a superb return for Phehlukwayo but his spell is over because Dale Steyn fancies another dart. He’s on the money immediately, swinging the ball at pace past the outside edge of the right-handed Cummins. Cummins retains his concentration well, clipping three through midwicket to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking over.
On a positive note Australia have steadily improved from 2-4 to 6 -76....#PosiveNegative @JPHowcroft
— phil withall (@phil_withall) November 4, 2018
24th over: Australia 78-6 (Carey 21, Cummins 6) Tahir into the second over of his spell. Couple of singles from it, not a great deal to report. That’s possibly because I’m focussed more on Tahir’s styling. He’s rocking an Alice band and longish bleached blonde hair giving him the look of David Beckham circa 2003.
South Africa’s Imran Tahir bowls to Australia’s Pat Cummins during their one day international cricket match in Perth. Photograph: Trevor Collens/AP
Updated
23rd over: Australia 76-6 (Carey 20, Cummins 5) Good over from Phehlukwayo, testing Carey from around the wicket, first beating the outside edge and then striking the batsman’s front pad in a location that draws a stifled appeal.
Updated
22nd over: Australia 74-6 (Carey 19, Cummins 4) Time for some spin and the introduction of Imran Tahir for the first time today. Carey demonstrates Australia’s planning, the left-hander sweeping aggressively first ball. He earns three for that stroke, a total matched by Cummins later in the over for a nice cut behind square.
WICKET! Stoinis c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo 14 (Australia 66-6)
Phehlukwayo strays onto Stoinis’ pads to hand the all-rounder a freebie boundary. He then offers some width to allow Stoinis two more. Australia finally hitting their stride here? No. No, no, no, no, no. A near identical dismissal to Maxwell has Stoinis back in the sheds shaking his head in dismay. Fullish from Phehlukwayo at a moderate pace and Stoinis can’t resist going for the big heave-ho, succeeding only in mistiming a loopy drive to Klaasen at mid-on. The fielder holds on in more routine fashion this time.
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20th over: Australia 58-5 (Carey 14, Stoinis 8) Some of Australia’s batting has been ordinary but this has been a superb bowling performance from South Africa. Ngidi continues to probe at pace, nibbling the ball both ways off the seam, beating the inside edge of Stoinis’ bat, then finding the outside edge, but he has to watch the Kookaburra bounce just short of third slip and scuttle away to the third-man fence. Just for good measure Ngidi rips one past the outside edge again to conclude the over.
19th over: Australia 52-5 (Carey 14, Stoinis 3) Phehlukwayo now has two wickets to his name, reinforcing the quality of this South African attack. He was gifted his second scalp by a poor effort from Maxwell, the kind of shot that offers plenty of fuel to his critics who consider him ill-suited to the international game.
Australia Review Successful
The third umpire begins his review looking for caught behind but there’s no inside edge. Ball tracker then clearly indicates Stoinis was outside the line of off-stump and no risk of LBW. The batsman is reprieved.
Australia Review
Stoinis given out caught behind on-field.
WICKET! Maxwell c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo 11 (Australia 48-5)
Phehlukwayo continues and he has Maxwell first ball - or does he? Yes, he does. Full and straight, Maxwell aims a lazy-looking uppish drive that looks to be a routine catch at mid-on but Klaasen makes a bit of a meal of getting to the pitch. The fielder and the rest of the Proteas celebrate without any hesitation but Maxwell stands his ground. The third umpire is called upon, and crucially, the soft signal is out. Michael Gough isn’t overly impressed with the replays at his disposal and as a consequence cannot find enough evidence to overturn the soft signal. Hugely disappointing end for Maxwell and another missed opportunity for the Victorian.
The umpires went upstairs for another look, but Glenn Maxwell was on his way... #AUSvSA#CloseMatters @GilletteAU pic.twitter.com/flIRKHZm17
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018
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18th over: Australia 48-4 (Carey 14, Maxwell 11) Ngidi returns for his third spell, and he concedes more runs this over than his previous five put together. Maxwell and Carey both work singles before the former times a textbook straight drive for four just beyond the non-striker’s stumps. Ngidi responds by making one spit off a length that hurts Maxwell, catching the batsman’s right thumb as he tries to defend on the back foot. The Australian physio is out to take a look at the damage.
Slightly galling that after such hype about ‘cricket like never before’, Hussey and Mark Waugh joke over how hard they find ‘Phehlukwayo’ to pronounce and Hussey adds ‘haven’t seen much of him’.
— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) November 4, 2018
If you don’t watch much cricket why are you commentating the cricket?#AUSvSA
17th over: Australia 41-4 (Carey 13, Maxwell 5) Out strides the mercurial Glenn Maxwell and the Victorian is off the mark first ball with a boundary, stepping across his stumps and tickling a glance to the fine-leg fence. Huge opportunity for Maxwell to bat his way into the selectors’ good books today.
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Lynn c de Kock b Phehlukwayo 15 (Australia 36-4)
Short and wide from Phehlukwayo, Lynn tries to smash the leather off the ball but it keeps a fraction low, the batsman succeeding only in feathering the tiniest of inside-edges through to the diving de Kock. The edge wasn’t picked up by the on-field umpire but de Kock was adamant and his confidence was supported by real-time snicko.
A great review from the Proteas and Lynn has to go... #AUSvSA #CloseMatters @GilletteAU pic.twitter.com/cyfYDwNflL
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018
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South Africa Review
South Africa think they have a catch behind, given not out in the middle.
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16th over: Australia 36-3 (Lynn 15, Carey 13) Lynn unleashes that frustration of the previous over on Rabada, making sure of a boundary this time around, carving a rare loose delivery through the covers with that satisfying whipcrack noise ends any communication with the non-striker over whether or not to run.
Drinks.
15th over: Australia 31-3 (Lynn 10, Carey 13) Andile Phehlukwayo has his first trundle, offering Australia their first glance of a bowler below 140kph. Both batsmen are immediately more comfortable and both add to their scores without much danger. Lynn will be disappointed he didn’t put away the first rank bad ball of the innings, Phehlukwayo dropping short and wide, thankful for the sweeper on the cover boundary. After a torrid start, Australia now have something of a partnership and a platform on which to build.
14th over: Australia 27-3 (Lynn 9, Carey 10) This is relentless from South Africa, over after over of high class fast bowling. Lynn does well to survive the latest test from Rabada, once again managing not to inside-edge a delivery that almost cuts him in two, and then somehow not getting his bat to one that just skims past off stump.
13th over: Australia 26-3 (Lynn 9, Carey 9) Ngidi continues his excellent morning, proving his worth from around the wicket to the left-handed Carey after spending most of the morning bowling over the wicket. He almost forces Carey to play on with one that angled in and he also almost accounted for Lynn with a vicious off-cutter that carved the batsman in two off a length.
12th over: Australia 23-3 (Lynn 9, Carey 7) Lynn tries his best to change the momentum in this Rabada over and eventually it pays off. The final delivery of the 12th over brings the first boundary of the innings, Rabada over-pitching and Lynn just offering the face of the bat to guide it through the vacant mid-on region. The ball before climbed alarmingly on Lynn from just short of a length but the but the big Queenslander retained his composure well.
11th over: Australia 19-3 (Lynn 5, Carey 7) Ngidi returns to give Steyn a break and the change of ends does not disrupt his superb rhythm. All Carey can do is send back yet another maiden.
Last time Australia didn't score a boundary in the first ten overs of an ODI was 2007. #AUSvSA
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) November 4, 2018
10th over: Australia 19-3 (Lynn 5, Carey 7) Just the one off the over from Rabada, cramping Carey for room from around the wicket. Australia 19-3 after the opening powerplay.
Cricket Aus should hold these games at the WACA if they cant get more than a few thousand in this new stadium - empty seats look awful, reminds me of the GABBA.... #ausvsa
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) November 4, 2018
9th over: Australia 18-3 (Lynn 5, Carey 6) Steyn into his fifth over, hitting 140+ kph consistently and offering precious little in terms of length or width to Carey. The scoring options to the left-handed Carey are in the wheelhouse of the two earlier dismissals caught behind the wicket. He has two drives this over to deliveries similar to those mishit by Short and Head, the first finds cover, the second pierces the gap just wide of point and the scoreboard operator gets their first workout in a while.
The skill of Steyn is remarkable. He's bowled 17% full deliveries, compared to Ngidi's 27%, but the veteran has found almost three times as much swing as his younger teammates, 0.6° compared to 0.22°. #AUSvSA
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) November 4, 2018
8th over: Australia 15-3 (Lynn 5, Carey 3) Ngidi, with three overs one for two to his credit, has a break and he’s replaced by Kagiso Rabada. The young tearaway continues the good work of his teammates, hitting that same good line and length, keeping the pressure on Australia. Rabada also throws down the first bouncer of the day and de Kock makes a bit of a mess of it behind the stumps, conceding a bye and risking a broken finger with an awkward-looking parry.
Aus's equal second-worst start in ODIs at 3-8. Cape Town, 2005-06, they were 3-5. Three other 3-8s, all last century. #AusvRSA
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) November 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/sirswampthing/status/1058929827082731520
Worst starts for AUS in ODIs on home soil
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) November 4, 2018
3-8 v SA 2018/19
3-10 v SL 2005/06
3-15 v WI 1995/96
3-15 v NZ 1985/86
3-16 v WI 1986/87
3-17 v NZ 2006/07
@cricketcomau @OfficialCSA #AUSvSA
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7th over: Australia 12-3 (Lynn 3, Carey 3) Australia’s best over of the day so far. Lynn works a single to invite vice captain Alex Carey on strike and the left-hander drives neatly behind square to pick up three.
Accepting the umpire’s decision and refusing to use the DRS a bold new form of #elitehonesty.
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) November 4, 2018
6th over: Australia 8-3 (Lynn 2, Carey 0) This is calamitous from Australia and flawless from South Africa. Finch will be furious with himself for not reviewing that LBW decision.
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WICKET! Finch LBW Ngidi 4 (Australia 8-3)
It took 13 deliveries but Ngidi finally sent down an errant ball, offering Finch a couple on his pads. That was quickly forgotten though because four balls later Ngidi stepped wider on the crease and angled the ball sharply into Finch’s pads and Aleem Dar raises his finger! Another one gone! Oooh, it looked high in real time but Finch neglected to review - and guess what - DRS reveals the ball was bouncing over the bails.
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5th over: Australia 6-2 (Finch 2, Lynn 2) Steyn is all over Lynn this over, beating the outside edge on a number of occasions with plenty of pace and subtle variations in length and seam. Lynn survives but South Africa have the upper hand early.
4th over: Australia 6-2 (Finch 2, Lynn 2) Finch cautiously allows Ngidi a second maiden in a row. It’s a lovely over from the paceman, moving the ball both ways on a perfect line and length.
3rd over: Australia 6-2 (Finch 2, Lynn 2) Well, that was eventful. Both dismissals in the over were form deliveries there to hit but both left-handers showed poor technique. Neither displayed the footwork to reach the pitch of the ball, but went with hard hands, and the combination against the new ball so early in the innings resulted in the worst possible outcome.
WICKET! Short c Du Plessis 0 (Australia 4-2)
Oh dear. This is not going according to plan for Australia. Another widish half-volley from Steyn, another ball there to hit, and another powerful edge taken behind the wicket. This is a much different catch though. De Kock’s was a routine pouch by the gloveman, this was a superb leaping grab by Du Plessis at second slip.
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WICKET! Head c de Kock b Steyn 1 (Australia 4-1)
South Africa have the early breakthrough. After two overs of pristine line and length from the Proteas, Dale Steyn offers Head a smidgen of width and the opener throws the kitchen sink at it but succeeds only in nicking forcefully behind.
Dale Steyn gives South Africa an ideal start in Perth.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018
Watch live HERE: https://t.co/wqVydHLsAq #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/K0tWpmQjH0
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2nd over: Australia 3-0 (Finch 2, Head 1) Lungi Ngidi shares the new ball and he’s on the money from the off with a very tidy maiden. Like Steyn, Ngidi’s angling the ball across the left-handed Head from over the wicket.
There’s plenty of bounce and carry in this pitch early on, the ball hitting the bat high and hard from a length.
Great to see all those empty seats turn up early for the #AUSvRSA match at @OptusStadium in Perth!
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) November 4, 2018
It is currently far from a capacity crowd.
Australia have won four of the past five World Cups but they are enduring a lean run of form heading into next year’s tournament in England and Wales.
Since the 2015 World Cup Australia have won just 45% of their 60 ODIs & since the start of the 2017 Champions Trophy Australia have won 11% of their 18 ODIs. Australia have less than six months & 16 scheduled ODIs to solve their problems. #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/wAmixAWHac
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) November 4, 2018
1st over: Australia 3-0 (Finch 2, Head 1) Woosh! The first delivery of the summer is a beauty from Steyn, over the wicket, angling away from the left-hander on a perfect line and length. Head rotates the strike nicely from the second ball and the shift to the right-handed Finch sees Steyn stray onto the Australian skipper’s pads and continue the scoreboard’s early momentum.
The first ball of the summer is moments away. Travis Head is on strike, Dale Steyn is at his mark.
The shift in Australian cricket broadcasting away from Channel Nine to Fox Sports and Channel Seven will be one of the storylines of the summer. Australians have a testy relationship with Pay TV and there will be a backlash against the move to place some matches - including this one - behind a paywall.
However, with change hopefully comes innovation and a raising of standards. Recent summers on Nine were uninspiring, undermined by blokey banter delivered by an all-too familiar cast of former internationals.
The early signs are positive. While the first voice heard on Fox’s coverage today was that of Adam Gilchrist, the network’s poster boy, the second was Isa Guha, the English former international’s presence signalling a break from the old routine.
Less than three hours to ball one!@FoxCricket's new commentary team is already warming up 🏏
— FOX SPORTS Australia (@FOXSportsAUS) November 4, 2018
Full report: https://t.co/YuAzwPqtP6#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/0FVOLwpYz9
But then it was quickly followed by Shane Warne and Mark Waugh gloating about how hard they sledged Graeme Smith back in the day and how he “sooked” as a result. Plus ca change, and all that...
Switch over to the Foxtel pre-show for the cricket. blokes sitting around joking about sledging. So no change from Nine
— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) November 4, 2018
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The teams are out on the Optus Stadium outfield for the anthems and welcome to country, the hosts arrive top to toe in Australian gold, the visitors in a natty forest green number that looks like it offers a nod to the old Green Shield stamps.
While we’re here to focus on the action, the past week cannot be overlooked. Here’s how a dramatic few days unfolded with the damning cultural reviews eventually accounting for Cricket Australia chairman David Peever.
After literally writing the book on the past few grisly months, Geoff Lemon must have enjoyed focussing on the cricket for his series preview.
It should be a series about the bowling far more than the batting, but any batting performances of note might count for more because of that. With that World Cup looming, every game from here matters for the players hoping to make it. That will be the focus from both sides now, rather than any shared history about sandpaper.
Conditions
Here’s your pitch for the next 100 overs. Both captains are expecting a little bit of life with the new ball.
This is only the second ODI at this recently constructed cathedral to sport. The first saw England defend 259 back in January.
Less than two hours before the first #AUSvSA ODI in Perth! Here’s today’s pitch. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/J9jjXcqMPJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018
The weather in Perth is perfect. Within the Perth Stadium bowl the otherwise stiff south-westerly breeze is barely felt, ensuring temperatures in the early 20s for most of the day. We shouldn’t need to concern ourselves with rainfall but there is the risk of a shower after nightfall that may come into play if the over-rate is especially tardy.
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South Africa have brought a strong squad to Australia as their World Cup preparation intensifies, but their brief tour did not get off to the best of starts against an Australian Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.
South Africa XI
South Africa have gone with their first-choice bowling attack which means Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada tearing into the Australian top-order. The batting remains a work in progress with understudies auditioning for spots in the absence of the injured Hashim Amla and JP Duminy. AB de Villiers’ retirement continues to leave a big hole.
South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir #AUSvSA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018
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Australia XI
Australia’s teamsheet confirms the absence of a frontline spinner, meaning Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa both miss out. The top order has to do without Shaun Marsh who, according to CA, is undergoing ‘minor surgery on an abscess in his buttock region’. What a pain in the ar...
Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), Travis Head, D'Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood #AUSvSA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018
So, an intimidating pace attack for Australia with five seamers all capable of serious heat. There are question marks over the batting line-up with most of the top-order under pressure to justify their selections.
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South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl
Faf du Plessis correctly called tails and opted to bowl first on a deck he expects to have plenty of pace with the new ball. The South African strategy is clearly to hit Australia early with their fearsome pace attack.
Aaron Finch tapped into his Elite Honesty and explained he would also have bowled first to take advantage of the decent covering of grass on the track. Finch indicated faith in D’Arcy Short’s ability to rattle through some overs of spin removed the requirement to select a frontline spinner.
South Africa win the toss and elected to BOWL #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/5FYA3LMB4K
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018
Did someone say summertime?
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to the start of another massive summer of international cricket here in Australia. Between now and the beginning of February Australia’s men will host South Africa, India and Sri Lanka across three different formats, all the while facing scrutiny like never before after the tumult of recent months.
The marathon begins at Perth’s Optus Stadium with the first of three ODIs against the Proteas. The opening delivery will be bowled at 11.20am local time (2.20pm AEST / 3.30am GMT) and you can follow all the action right here.
Ordinarily at this time of year preview content is full of fevered anticipation abut the action to come and how it sits in the grander scheme of World Cups and Ashes tours. Not so this time around. This summer is very different.
For reasons well-publicised Australia is facing an awkward summer, one played against the backdrop of off-field chaos. Last week witnessed the publication of damning reviews into Australian cricket culture, documents that belatedly accounted for the CA chairman. Other senior figures within the establishment have left or announced their departures in recent months, paving the way for a remodelled men’s national team.
That clear air remains some way off, however. This is the transitional summer, the one where the names of Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft will never be far from a commentator’s lips. The one where Australia’s supposedly new-found respect for the spirit of cricket will be placed under the microscope at every opportunity. The one where domestic fans will have to adjust to pay TV stepping into the role of primary broadcaster. This will not be a run-of-the-mill few months.
As always, if you would like to join in the conversation feel free to drop me an email at jonathan.howcroft.freelance@guardian.co.uk or tweet @JPHowcroft.
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