Australia struggled to 39 for two at lunch after South Africa’s Dale Steyn and debutant Vernon Philander took a wicket apiece on the first day of the first Test at Newlands yesterday.
Shaun Marsh, on 17 not out, and Ricky Ponting, with eight, battled to keep the hosts at bay in difficult conditions.
South Africa elected to bowl first and, after rain delayed the start of play by 1 hour, 45 minutes, snared their first wicket in the fifth over when Shane Watson was caught at second slip by Jacques Kallis off Steyn.
IMPRESSIVE
Watson had only scored 3 when he was squared up by a wonderful delivery that landed in line with leg-stump, before moving away late to find the edge of the bat.
The 26-year-old Philander made an impressive start to his Test career as he kept to a tight line and obtained swing and seam movement.
He roared with delight when, with his 18th ball, he found the edge of Phil Hughes’ bat with a delivery that angled across the left-hander, having him caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for nine.
500 Test catches
It was Boucher’s 500th Test catch, making him the first cricketer to reach that milestone.
Playing in his 140th Test, Boucher made his debut in 1997 against Pakistan.
The 34-year-old had taken 498 catches for South Africa and two for the ICC World XI against Australia in 2005-2006.
Australia were 13 for two at lunch, but Marsh and Ponting stuck to their task well to deny South Africa any further breakthroughs.
Steyn had taken one for eight in five overs at the break and Philander had one for 16 in six overs.
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