Source : the age
Australian great Mark Waugh has hit out at selectors, accusing them of “throwing darts” when it comes to making their Test selections.
Waugh was fuming about the decision to name Nic Maddinson ahead of Cooper Connolly, who has played one day cricket for Australia recently.
“It looks like the selectors are throwing some darts at the dartboard and are hoping to get a bullseye,” Waugh said on Kayo.
“They are hoping something is going to pay off.
Marnus Labuschagne has yet again got out after making a start, this time lbw to Wiaan Mulder on the last ball before lunch.
After consulting Steve Smith, Labuschagne deigned to review, though his batting partner did not wait for the result, marching off to have his lunch.
Up until that delivery, it could be argued that Australia had made a decent start, but a third wicket before lunch tilted the session back to the Proteas.
For Labuschagne there is the recurring sense that, having done the hard work, he has exposed Australia’s middle order with a lapse of concentration.
Smith and Labuschagne built an excellent partnership and looked poised for a big second session.
Now he is out lbw.
The review was very clear. The ball was hitting the stumps. Australia will be three down at lunch.
Australia are 3-84 at lunch.
Labuschagne has reviewed a decision that has him out lbw on the last ball before lunch.
More to come.
Smith and Labuschagne have done well to rebuild this innings and settle things down.
They just brought up their 50-run partnership.
Smith continues to attack Maharaj while they are handling the seamers at the other end.
Australia are 2-78 with lunch about 10 minutes away.
The Proteas have gone to their spinners early calling Keshav Maharaj into the attack.
But Smith has cracked him for two sixes in the last over. Smith is throwing his whole body into his shots and lofted the ball deep into the stands.
Labuschagne hit Nortje for two fours in the next over. The confidence is slowly building for the Aussies.
Australia are 2-67 from 20 overs with Smith on 18, Labuschagne 28.
Nic Maddinson made a 33-ball duck after capping off an extraordinary return to cricket from cancer by winning selection as an opening batsman in Australia’s team to face South Africa at Kingsmead.
It was at times difficult to watch Maddinson as he struggled for timing against the new ball in the hands of Proteas new ball pair Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder, who both found a modicum of swing.
Maddinson was fortunate when he was struck on the pads by Mulder on his 15th ball, the inswinger shown to be hitting leg stump but the hosts not reviewing the not out decision because they had suspected an inside edge.
Travis Head then departed early, touching a ball down the leg side. By reaching his 33rd ball without scoring before he dragged Jansen back onto the stumps, Maddinson chalked up the third-slowest duck by an opener in Tests – behind the modest duo of Darrin Murray (39 balls for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in 1995), and Zimbabwe’s Trevor Gripper (36 balls against West Indies in 2000).
Only time will tell whether the long duck will be Maddinson’s most memorable moment on this tour, but it will do little to quell the surprise of many that he had been chosen in the first place.
Australia are 2-39 from 15 overs.
Labuschagne has just edged the ball through the vacant slot in fourth slip off Jansen.
It went for four but the shot was a complete fluke and was so lucky to not find a catcher, as the Proteas have three slips and a gully.
Neither Smith, nor Labuschagne have looked comfy this morning. Smith appears to be moving around the crease even more than usual.
He’s very fired up.
Australia are 2-38 with Labuschagne on 16, Smith on 1 after 14 overs.
Speedster Andrich Nortje has hit Marnus Labuschagne in the chest with a steep bouncing delivery.
The Aussie batter let out a loud shout as the ball pounded into his chest – it was tough to tell if it hit his chest guard or not.
Steve Smith had a little chat with him to settle him down – Nortje has a mean look on his face, I don’t think he liked missing out on opening the bowling.
Australia are 2-28 after the first hour with Labuschagne on six and Smith on one.
Maddinson has clipped the ball into his own stumps and is out for a duck from 33 balls.
Jansen has his first wicket and Maddinson has trudged off the park.
Another big moment, heartbreaking for the recalled opener.
Steve Smith has come out to bat.
Australia are 2-24 from 10.2 overs.
