Twitter Reactions: Bowlers have fun at Gabba as Australia edge past South Africa in thrilling series opener

Australia prevailed in a thrilling contest at the Gabba as bowlers made merry on a green top.

By Chaitanya Prakash

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4 Min Read

Pat Cummins
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Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Australia swatted aside South Africa in the first Test match of the series in Brisbane in a two-day affair on a bowling-friendly surface. The returning Pat Cummins led the charge for the home side as the Aussies drew first blood in the series. The visitors put up a valiant fight with the ball, but their inexperienced batting line-up proved to be the decisive factor in the first Test.

The series opener between two Test-playing goliaths moved at a rapid pace after the visitors were bundled out for 152 runs in under 50 overs on the first day. The home side were rocked early in their reply too, as they lost three quick wickets for not many on the opening day of the first Test at the Gabba.

Despite putting up a low score on the board, the Proteas pacers ensured that they weren't blown away by the hosts as they managed to bundle out the Aussies for 218 runs in their first innings on day two. The home side would've been in a spot of bother in the match if it wasn't for Travis Head. 

The southpaw continued his glorious form in the longest format of the game with a swashbuckling 92 off 96 deliveries against a fearsome Proteas pace battery. However, all the good work from the South African bowlers was undone in the second session as Australia made a mockery of the Proteas top order.

Starc joins the 300 club before Cummins sizzle with a five-for

The Australia pace attack led by the returning Pat Cummins utilized the new ball to great effect on a green pitch that had plenty of lateral movement on offer. Cummins dismissed his opposite number, Dean Elgar, in his first over of the day, and his new-ball partner Mitchell Starc dished out an unplayable inswinger to knock over Rassie van der Dussen.

Dussen's dismissal meant that Starc became only the fifth Australian pacer to claim 300 wickets in red-ball cricket behind the likes of Glenn McGrath, Dennis Lillee, Mitchell Johnson, and Brett Lee. Nathan Lyon grabbed the big scalp of Temba Bavuma, and Scott Boland also joined the procession with a double wicket over.

But it was the Australian skipper Pat Cummins who took home the plaudits after returning with sensational bowling figures of 5/42, dismissing the visitors for a paltry score of 99. The rip-roaring performance by Australian bowlers meant that they were chasing a timid target of 34 runs to go 1-0 up in the series. The chase wasn't as straightforward as it looked as Kagiso Rabada scalped four wickets sending a few jitters to the home crowd. However, Australia prevailed to draw first blood in the Test series.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Australia prevailing in a close contest in the series opener at the Gabba:

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