Australia captain Pat Cummins yesterday spearheaded a pace barrage that tore through South Africa before his side chased down a target of 34 runs to claim a six-wicket win inside two days on a hostile Gabba pitch.
After finishing their first innings 66 runs in front midway through the first session yesterday, Australia dismissed the visitors for just 99 despite a fighting 36 not out from Khaya Zondo.
The Australians then lost four cheap wickets in the chase as paceman Kagiso Rabada ran amok, with Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head all falling to catches behind the wicket.
Photo: EPA-EFE
However, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green — aided by 15 extras — guided Australia home to give them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series on a day when 19 wickets fell.
“Tricky wicket. I thought the way Head and Smith batted [in the first innings] got us to this winning position,” Australia captain and man of the match Pat Cummins said.
In Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan provided brief entertainment for the home team, but India kept their cool to win the first Test by 188 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series in Chittagong.
The result and first-placed Australia’s win moves India up to second in the ICC Test Championship rankings. The top two sides are to lock horns when Australia tour India early next year.
Set an enormous 513 to win, Bangladesh put up dogged resistance with Zakir Hasan scoring a century on debut on Saturday in a record opening partnership for the hosts against India with Najmul Hossain who made 67.
Shakib made a marauding 84 that included six sixes but he was bowled by Kuldeep Yadav on day five and the hosts quickly folded for 324 all out after an hour’s play.
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