Test series off to a fiery start

There we have it, one of the most hostile and fiery test series of the modern era is off to a heated start as Australia claim the first test by 118 runs. When looking at the sides in the preview of this series, I honestly could not comprehend the quality of fast bowling that the two teams possessed. This only led me to predict the potential hostility of what this series can become and I sense that the controversies of the first test in Durban is only the beginning of what we are about to witness.

There is no doubt that Australia’s test team is in a good place considering the recent 4-0 Ashes triumph over what was a fairly ordinary performance by the England visitors. With the ‘Bradman-like’ form of the Australian captain Steve Smith, it felt that not only was he going to new heights, but so was this new look Australian side that is looking to find some long lost consistency. 
What makes a series as special as this one is the similarity of the two teams and the quality that both of them possess. From similar wickets to similar pace, the only thing that I feel that is going to be the difference between the two sides is the performances with the bat. And so far what was witnessed in the first test is that Australia was able to compose themselves in the first innings a whole lot better than the hosts. 

Despite a thrashing 118 run victory, this test certainly highlighted a lot more than the margin of success for Australia. It was the pace, aggression, fire and character that shone through a lot more than the scorecards did. What we witnessed was the true devastation of reverse swing and the revival of pure pace against willow. The world of T20 cricket has done so much to divert the focus from pace to ‘slower balls’ and trying to defend the game. Whereas, what a series like this certainly reminds me off is the true beauty and romance of what is cricket and the qualities of the game that make it truly exciting. Whilst I am a strong believer in that quality batting is a regular occurrence in that on a regular basis someone is going to stand up, whereas the thrill of test cricket can only come from the pace and hostility from the bowling side. And the reverse swing of Mitchell Starc certainly highlighted the thrilling nature of hostile bowling and the shattering of stumps. 
When I see this Australian side, I see a team that is determined to win. Whereas what I am seeing from this very talented South African side is a fear of loss. Moreover, I think that this mentality has infected the limited over the side and is beginning to take some toll on the west side which I see as being the foundation of South African cricket. There is no doubt that both teams play an aggressive brand of cricket, but the hunger to win is certainly working for Australia a lot more in this series so far. 
At the beginning of the test series, I was honestly slightly sceptical on Camron Bancroft's inclusion in the squad considering the poor end to his Ashes campaign. His 5 off 20 balls again demonstrated that he has not proved any form since the first test of the summer, however, a stand-alone 53 in the second innings to some extent re-demanded a second test selection. With Steve Smith again proving his class with another half-century next to his name along with a slight return to form of David Warner blitzing his way to another half-ton. But much like the story at the beginning of the summer, Usman Khawaja has not scored the runs. But I simply think that it has been a mixture of events that has to lead to him being the lowest run scorer in the top six for Australia in the first test. His first innings dismissal of 14 of 17 balls was primarily due to some fantastic line bowling that would have had the likes of many great left-handers walking. But what was seen in the prior 16 balls was a player with pure class and elegance, who at times was looking comfortable and in control of his game. There is no doubt that his 171 in the previous test against England has done him the world of good and rested the fact that he is one of Australia’s best players and that his calibre can often go underrated. 

Winning the toss and batting on what was a fairly ‘two-paced’ pitch, Australia’s ‘handy’ total of 351 was not accomplished without the batting heroics of an in-form Mitchell Marsh (96). Whilst Marsh continued his steady pace towards a century, I felt that it was the ballistic innings of Mitchell Starc (35) that snatched the momentum from South Africa’s hands. His hard-hitting and fearless approach against a quality South African side was something that was sure to have depleted much of the hosts’ morale. 

And this stolen momentum ultimately proved to be South Africa’s undoing as wickets began to fall at regular intervals. But Starc’s match was only getting better as a reversing ball was taken in the hands of the tall left armer. And he certainly took the life out of the South African batting order with him. His suburb 5/34 was not only the difference between the two sides in the match but also was a rare and beautiful spectacle of fast bowling that reinforces the romance of cricket and the era of pace. With South Africa dismissed for a poor score of 162 it all but seemed that the match was going away from the hosts. 

With an extensive lead, Australia was in no way in a losing position in this game. But what was witnessed in the third innings was a complete reversal of performances as South Africa bowled out the Aussies for a dismal 227 courtesy of a Keshav Maharaja 4 wicket haul. However, due to poor batting in the first innings, a record chase was soon on their hands as the final commenced. 
South Africa’s batting struggles continued as the hosts were begging at 4/49 with first innings hero AB de Villiers the subject of a horror run out leaving the test legend stranded for nought. Despite a charged up Australian side and the unnecessary send-off from Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon, youngster Aiden Markram set the record straight with an innings to remember as he baffled the Aussies with a sublime 143 to give South Africa some thread of hope. There is no doubt that Durban has been involved in witnessing one of the great innings which compares to Asad Shafiq's 137 against Australia last year. The mentality and skill level that he showed on the field against a very charged Australian attack with wickets falling on a regular basis was second to none.  Joining him at the crease was Theunis de Bruyn who took a liking to a fired up Mitchell Starc to send the pavement to all parts after what was some very sloppy and ordinary bowling from Australia. 

The wicket of de Bruyn only brought Quinten de Kock to the crease who to be fair has been subject to a major controversial outbreak regarding heated comments exchanged with David Warner. Despite the sledging issues, his remarkable 83 was another classy knock that certainly boosted the chances for the hosts and took advantage of a poor period of bowling from Australia. But once the wicket of Markram fell, Mitchell Starc cleaned the tail again claiming 4/75 to wash away South Africa’s hopes in the first test. 

Despite the controversies, it has been an electric game of cricket. Whilst the personal comments between players is not on, the intensity between the two teams has been brilliant. The hostility, pace, aggression, fear, sledging and passion has been something that certainly proves the excellent theatre that is test cricket and the true excitement that it possesses to both players and the fans. Watching charged cricket between these two sides has been immensely enjoyable and has only hinted as to what the intensity of this series is going to be like. 

Overall it has been a fantastic game of cricket and was a lot more than what the scoreline suggested. I think that both sides will go unchanged into the second test and would certainly expect things to continue to get heat out in the middle.