Gutsy Proteas on top as Newlands Test moves rapidly

It’s become a bit of a norm for Test matches in South Africa to move along rapidly.

Friday was no exception as the Proteas ended the opening day of the first Test against India at Newlands on top after 13 wickets tumbled.

Difficult pitch or dodgy batting?

That’s an interesting question.

With India slumping to 28/3 at the close of play, it would seem as if the Proteas’ scarily potent attack – Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada were all picked – exploited a challenging surface.

Yet South Africa’s 286 suggested that the batsmen didn’t quite play as patiently as they should’ve, especially given the fact that they were dismissed in 73.1 overs.

That’s a run rate of 3.9.

For some of the naysayers, that will be evidence that T20 cricket is affecting Test cricket negatively, that modern players are forgetting the art of taking their time.

But that wasn’t really the case.

Instead, what the Proteas decided to do is dig their way out of a hole by being aggressive.

They were left shell-shocked when the skillful Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/87) produced a fabulous spell of swing bowling to leave them 12/3.

After sending his first two deliveries down the leg-side, he bowled the perfect ball to Dean Elgar – one that seamed away off an awkward length.

Kumar was in business again the next over when he brought one back into Aiden Markram (5) after the young opener tried to bail out of a defensive prod forward.

And then Hashim Amla (3) played a loose drive on the back foot.

But then AB de Villiers intervened, punching back with a typically gutsy 65 off just 84 balls, an innings littered with 11 fours.

Four of those came in one over against Kumar – two drives and two cuts.

Kumar at that stage had figures of 3/7 in four overs.

Attacking him like that showed some real stones.

Faf du Plessis (62) supported him well in a fourth wicket stand of 114 before both were dismissed shortly after lunch.

Again, the experienced pair couldn’t be blamed for being overeager.

De Villiers was castled by a ball from debutant Jasprit Bumrah (1/73) that seamed nicely while Du Plessis was late on a cut.

In fact, only Keshav Maharaj’s lazy run out could be classified as a wasted wicket.

Quinton de Kock (43) and Philander both scored quickly but were both out to fine deliveries from Kumar and Mohammed Shami (1/47) respectively.

A total of 286 represented a brilliant recovery.

Ironically, India could be accused of not applying themselves well enough despite their slower run rate.

Philander (1/13) had Murali Vijay driving to gully, the aggressive Shikhar Dhawan was rushed by Dale Steyn (1/13) when he needless tried a pull and then came the telling moment.

Morkel (1/0) steamed in for his first delivery, gained extra bounce outside off and Virat Kohli – astonishingly – fended it to Quinton de Kock.

The Proteas bowlers might not have produced great deliveries like India’s attack but they didn’t give away freebies in-between.

And that clearly makes a difference.

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