South Africa's bowling attack has had a humbling experience in the first Test against Australia. The team's bowling figures will make for ugly reading during the internal debrief. However, several layers of context need to be considered. South Africa's poor batting in the first innings allowed Australia a hefty lead, giving them the freedom to play more aggressively in their second innings. This did major damage to the home team's bowling figures.
Keshav Maharaj, one of South Africa's key spinners, conceded 56 runs in nine overs. He attributed the team's struggles to a few loose balls, which Australia capitalized on. Maharaj pointed out that if South Africa had taken away Matt Renshaw's first-innings 190, the match would be a lot closer. He also noted that the first-day pitch at Kingsmead did not provide much assistance, with the side of the square being slow and flat on the first couple of days.
Maharaj and fellow spinner Simon Harmer did not provide the kind of control expected of them. The pair bowled just one maiden between them in Australia's first innings and a combined two maidens throughout the match. By contrast, Nathan Lyon bowled three maidens in South Africa's first innings. At stumps on Monday, it could be argued that Maharaj and Harmer were even out-bowled by part-timer Renshaw, who got the ball to grip and spin viciously on the fourth afternoon.
The seamers were not without fault either. Marco Jansen produced listless efforts with the ball on Monday and has shown he is not ready to lead the attack. He will appreciate the return of Kagiso Rabada in Gqeberha. After a good first-innings display, Wiaan Mulder was less effective in the second innings. Anrich Nortje was the best of the home team's bowlers, maintaining aggression across 40 overs in the match and ending with 4/144.
Nortje also hit Steve Smith on the head, leaving the former Australian captain to observe concussion protocols overnight. Whether his exertions in this match will allow him to play in Gqeberha will be assessed in the coming days. For the Proteas, the first four days have shown there is a big gap between the two attacks, especially with how Australia have bowled.
Maharaj noted that with Australia six down, South Africa had a chance to turn the match around. However, Australia played well from there, and South Africa's bowlers were unable to keep a lid on their scoring. The tourists' dominance was evident, and South Africa's bowlers will look to regroup and come back stronger in the second Test.
The second Test between South Africa and Australia will take place in Gqeberha. The Proteas will look to address their bowling issues and put up a stronger performance. With the return of Kagiso Rabada, South Africa's bowling attack may see some changes. The team's batting will also look to improve, having struggled in the first innings of the first Test.
Key points
- South Africa's bowling attack struggled with loose balls, allowing Australia to capitalize and take control of the match.
- The team's spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, failed to provide the expected control, bowling just one maiden between them in Australia's first innings.
- Anrich Nortje was the standout bowler for South Africa, taking 4/144 and maintaining aggression across 40 overs in the match.
