Rabada kisses the pitch after registering his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Kagiso Rabada finished with a five-wicket haul as South Africa demolished Australia by 177 runs in Perth and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

South Africa’s win snapped Australia’s unbeaten streak on home soil as they had not been beaten since they lost to the Proteas by 309 runs at the WACA back in December 2012. Since then, the Baggy Greens have played 18 Tests at home and have won 14 and drawn four.

Starting off the day on 169/4, Australia lost all-rounder Mitchell Marsh early on in the day as he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Rabada for 26.

Usman Khawaja, who started the day unbeaten on 58, and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill kept the Proteas at bay for a while with a 50-run partnership. Just when Khawaja was on the verge of scoring his fifth Test century, he was given out lbw off the bowling of JP Duminy for 97, which came off 182 balls and included 11 boundaries and three sixes.

Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle fell shortly after for 13 runs apiece, but Nevill refused to go down without a fight as he and Josh Hazlewood frustrated South Africa with a 65-run stand, during which Nevill brought up his fifty.

As tea was approaching, South Africa got the breakthrough they were desperately looking for, but it came from Temba Bavuma, who had not taken any wickets in the longest format of the game prior to dismissing Hazlewood for 29.

South Africa did not have to wait long for the final wicket as debutant Keshav Maharaj put the final nail in the coffin for the hosts by getting rid of Nathan Lyon via lbw for eight runs.

Nevill, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 60 off 153 deliveries, which included six boundaries.

Nevill scored his third Test fifty

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Duminy, Bavuma, Maharaj and Vernon Philander claimed one wicket each.

Australia captain Steven Smith was disappointed his side let their advantageous position on day one slip out of their hands, and said: “After the first day, we were in a reasonable position. We weren’t able to capitalise and claw our way back. I’ve thought a lot about it (the collapse). Credit to Duminy and Elgar, their partnership took it away. We’ve had a few collapses of late in recent Test cricket, something we need to improve on. We [will] try and let go of this performance. Have to play better cricket. SA played some great cricket throughout the Test.”

South Africa stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis was thrilled to have gone 1-0 up in the series, and said: “It’s never easy with two seamers. KG was phenomenal, to run in for 30 overs. Disappointed with the way we played on the first day, we wanted to come back on the second day. Since that day one, we were unbelievable. Not much happening, but everyone put their hand up. Maharaj had a job today, to tie up one end. He was awesome, bowled a beautiful line and length, ensured the scoreboard didn’t tick too quickly.”

Rabada was named Man of the Match, and said: “I’m very proud of how the team pulled it together. We lost Dale, he’s a key aspect of the game. All the bowlers have a job to do when Dale is gone, it means we have to do extra. You hear a lot of stories where quick bowlers do well here (at the WACA). Similar to the Wanderers back home. Still a bit flat though. Australia also got the ball to reverse. We executed really well. I can confidently say there will not be too much bowling over the next few days, but I’ll be ready for Hobart if I get chosen.”