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PHOTOS: Australia take opening day honours in Perth

Last updated on: November 03, 2016 17:12 IST

Australia's David Warner celebrates reaching his half century on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at the WACA in Perth on Wednesday

IMAGE: Australia's David Warner celebrates reaching his half century on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at the WACA in Perth on Wednesday. Photograph: Gary Day/Getty Images

Australia ripped through South Africa's top order in the first hour, dismissed the tourists for 242 by tea and reached 105 without loss at close on the back of some Dave Warner fireworks on the opening day of the first Test on Thursday.

Scorecard

Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma scored battling half centuries for South Africa after they were reduced to 32-4 but there was no doubt the standout performers on the first day of the Australian cricketing summer were those wearing baggy green caps.

Australia's Mitchell Starc and Peter Nevill celebrate the wicket of South Africa's Stephen Cook

IMAGE: Australia's Mitchell Starc and Peter Nevill celebrate the wicket of South Africa's Stephen Cook. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, playing with an open wound on his leg after a nasty training accident that disrupted his preparations, struck in the first over and ended up with figures of 4-71.

Fellow pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood pitched in with 3-70 and the Marsh brothers, Mitchell and Shaun, both took spectacular catches on their home ground.

 Australia's David Warner lies on the pitch after slipping while playing a shot

IMAGE: Australia's David Warner lies on the pitch after slipping while playing a shot. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Warner then took the fight to the tourists with the bat.

After a reprieve when he was lbw off a Vernon Philander no-ball, the pugnacious opener smashed the South African bowlers around the WACA, the ground where he announced his arrival as a Test batsman with a brilliant 180 against India in 2012.

The 30-year-old lefthander brought up his 21st Test half century when he slashed the ball through extra cover for his 10th four off the 39th delivery he had faced and will resume on 73 alongside Shaun Marsh, unbeaten on 29.

South Africa's Quinton de Kock reacts after being dismissed by Australia's Josh Hazlewood on Day 1 of the 1st Test at the WACA in Perth on Wednesday

IMAGE: South Africa's Quinton de Kock reacts after being dismissed by Australia's Josh Hazlewood on Day 1 of the 1st Test at the WACA in Perth on Wednesday. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

South Africa had arrived for the three-Test series full of confidence after their limited-overs triumph and having emerged victorious on their last two visits to Australia with both trips featuring big wins at the WACA.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, they were soon reeling as Starc, Hazlewood and later Peter Siddle illustrated the WACA pitch was going to offer the traditional pace and bounce noticeably absent last year when West Indies visited.

Australia's Nathan Lyon celebrates as he watches teammate Shaun Marsh take a diving catch to dismiss South Africa's Temba Bavuma on Day 1 of the 1st Test at the WACA in Perth Thursday

IMAGE: Australia's Nathan Lyon celebrates as he watches teammate Shaun Marsh take a diving catch to dismiss South Africa's Temba Bavuma on Day 1 of the 1st Test at the WACA in Perth Thursday. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Opener Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla both departed without a run on the board, while Dean Elgar eked out 12 runs and JP Duminy 11 before they were sent packing.

Faf du Plessis scored 37 in a partnership of 49 with Bavuma, who then put together another of 71 with De Kock after his captain had been dismissed in the second over after lunch.

Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates with 'keeper Peter Nevill after dismissing South Africa opener Dean Elgar on Day 1 of the first Test at the WACA in Perth, Australia

IMAGE: Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates with 'keeper Peter Nevill after dismissing South Africa opener Dean Elgar on Day 1 of the first Test at the WACA in Perth, Australia. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The diminutive Bavuma hit seven fours before he was dismissed by spinner Nathan Lyon for 51 two deliveries after reaching his third Test half century, a diving Shaun Marsh diving low to scoop up the bat-pad catch.

South Africa's Temba Bavuma is struck by a delivery from Australia's Josh Hazlewood

IMAGE: South Africa's Temba Bavuma is struck by a delivery from Australia's Josh Hazlewood. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

 

De Kock continued his impressive one-man rearguard action and hit 11 fours and one huge six in his 84 but once he departed with a mistimed slap to Shaun Marsh at midwicket off Hazlewood, the end of the South Africa innings was in sight.

Source: REUTERS
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