David Warner’s hopes of taking part in Checks till the top of subsequent yr’s Ashes have been dealt one other blow after making a golden duck on the Gabba.
Already beneath immense strain coming into three Checks in opposition to South Africa, the veteran opener’s collection couldn’t have began any worse as Proteas star Kagiso Rabada struck with the primary ball of Australia’s innings.
Rabada delivered a high-bouncing supply that Warner couldn’t dodge, popping the ball up as Khaya Zondo took an excellent one-handed catch at short-leg.
It was simply the second golden duck of Warner’s glittering 99-Check profession.
Rabada’s dominance of Warner continued after dismissing him 4 occasions in three matches over the last Australia-South Africa Check collection virtually 5 years in the past.
Warner has not made a Check century since January 2020 and didn’t go 50 in opposition to the battling West Indies throughout huge wins in Perth and Adelaide.
His teammates and Australia coach Andrew McDonald strongly defended Warner heading into the primary red-ball conflict with the Proteas because the notorious ball-tampering tour in 2018.
The 36-year-old needs to play till not less than the top of subsequent yr’s Ashes, with a visit to India in February looming earlier than that.
McDonald backed Warner in when requested about him this week however was cautious to not declare him fully secure.
“At this stage, we have him in our plans for India,” McDonald mentioned.
Boland stars
Earlier, as admiring former Australian paceman Michael Kasprowicz famous, residing as much as expectations is the toughest factor for a quick bowler, including that Scott Boland handed that take a look at with flying colours early on the primary day of the opening Check in opposition to South Africa.
Proteas captain Dean Elgar joked in his pre-game presser that the Gabba pitch appeared as inexperienced as the factitious grass that he was standing on on the time.
It was inexperienced on day one too. South Africa have been 4-27 at one stage earlier than being dismissed for 152, however Kasprowicz mentioned early on the pitch behaved like “the everyday Gabba”.
Kasprowicz, who spent his profession bowling on the Gabba with success for Queensland, instructed AAP that Boland (2-28 off 11 overs) discovered the early line and size that was required to achieve success.
Boland saved the ball on a very good size and it did only a bit off the seam. That removed opener Sarel Erwee (10) when he drove to gully, and Khaya Zondo for a duck when he was trapped on the crease by a peach that was hitting the highest of off-stump.
“Scott Boland has labored it out ideally,” Kasprowicz mentioned.
“The size is all he appears at. He depends on hitting the seam and pure variation. He has been on track immediately.”
-AAP
