Not to be a Bazball evangelist but surely playing some shots would be the better option for South Africa? I’ve seen Stubbs, Markham, et al play some game-changing T20 knocks. Better 30 (20) than 2 (38)!
John, Bath
Firdose Moonda
Cricinfo writer on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
I am exhausted here at Lord’s. It was a very intense day of cricket. I think we can see there is still learning to be done at this level against a very good Australia side.
However, Australia fought back with the ball.
Mitchell Starc picked up 2-10 from his seven overs and Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood took one wicket apiece as South Africa finished day one on 43-4.
Kagiso Rabada was the cause of Australia’s pain, taking 5-51 from his 15.4 overs.
Australia have finished the day with smiles on their faces but only a couple of hours ago, things looked very different.
Beau Webster (72 off 92) and Steve Smith (66 off 112) were the only players to make a mark with the bat and after losing 5-20 after tea, Australia were bowled out for 212.
Following on from Neil (17:56), I have tickets for Friday which I’m praying I can use as my wife has allowed me out for the day even though we have an eight-week-old baby at home. Not sure that ‘pass’ is refundable or transferable…
George in London
Reuters
And that’s the end of a wicket-laden day one. 14 of them!
David Bedingham gives the South Africa fans something to cheer with back-to-back fours off Pat Cummins’ final two balls.
South Africa close on 43-4 and trail Australia by 169 runs.
We’ll have plenty of reaction to follow, so don’t go anywhere.
Pat Cummins will bowl what I presume is the final over of the day, which feels a shame given the sunny skies at Lord’s.
Josh Hazlewood and Australia are briefly interested in an lbw shout against David Bedingham. The ball trickles away for four leg byes and they choose not to review.
Ball tracker shows it was missing leg stump.
A fifth wicket this evening would be horrible for South Africa.
Thanks for the commentary today. My son has bought me tickets for Saturday for father’s day. Is there any risk do you think?
Neil Cooper, Isle of Wight
Oh Neil… have you considered a rain dance for days two and three?
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special
Stubbs has been cleaned up. What a session this has been, with a brilliant fight back for Australia.
“This could be two days,” quips Ffion.
Tristan Stubbs tries to play a defensive shot but gets the line wrong and has his stumps rearranged by Josh Hazlewood. South Africa are four down.
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Lyon is trying to put some revs on but Bavuma is covering it.
Tristan Stubbs takes a single off Nathan Lyon’s first delivery before Temba Bavuma resumes his defensive approach. He’s scored his runs for today.
Time for some spin. Here comes Nathan Lyon.
Bavuma has a way to go to equal my 53-ball 0 not out. I was batting out for a draw for Sheffield Collegiate against Harrogate in the Yorkshire League. I think it’s still a club record!
Singo, Edinburgh
30 balls before scoring? Temba Bavuma is an amateur compared to you, Singo. And what a club record to hold!
Huge cheers around Lord’s as Temba Bavuma finally gets his innings under way.
He runs two off the final ball of the over.
What both innings have lacked is that nobody actually has taken the initiative. When Head came in that started to get some momentum and even Smith started playing some shots. I think I’ve just justified Bazball to myself.
Jon
A third maiden from Pat Cummins.
He’s been in the wickets today, bowling Wiaan Mulder for six.
This is proper Test Cricket – not that 500-3 at the end of day one we saw a couple of weeks ago.
Ed, Reading
