Marsh injured as Aussies crash

They lost all three Tests on their July-August tour of Sri Lanka. Even without their captain AB de Villiers, they were in familiar territory.

That sparked fears that Rabada would join Dale Steyn – who was ruled out for six months on Friday with a broken shoulder – on South Africa’s injury list.

“We have a No 6 who is averaging 20 and that is one of the reasons why we are struggling in test cricket recently”. Smith faced 80 balls and was two shy of a half century when No. 11 Nathan Lyon was caught behind by Quinton de Kock off Philander, who returned 5-21 from 10.1 overs.

The depleted South African lineup dictated play from there, with Dean Elgar (127) and Jean-Paul Duminy (141) sharing a 250-run stand for the third wicket to set up South Africa’s 540-8 declared.

Australia has brushed off concerns that the sudden heavy workload imposed on its leading fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood might increase their risk of breaking down.

Australia have been over-reliant on their top-order as David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith have done the bulk of scoring for them in the recent past.

Good to go: Adam Voges. Peter Nevill showed his grit in the second innings.

“They have lost four Test matches in a row”. The balance of their side, with an underperforming Mitchell Marsh at No.6, was again cause for consternation.

Down in the series, already questions have been asked of Australia’s preparation.

Mennie predicted Hazlewood and Starc would both be fit for the game. The touring party knows that Australia will try to make a strong comeback in the second Test.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann warned his wounded squad “every spot is under pressure” for the second Test this weekend after their capitulation to South Africa in Perth.

Fast bowler Joe Mennie is nearly certain to make his Test debut in Hobart after Peter Siddle was ruled out due to a back injury.

Kagiso Rabada picked up five wickets to lead South Africa’s march to a 177-run win in Perth on the fifth afternoon to hand Australia a rare defeat in its first home Test of the season on Monday (November 7). Mennie was named the 12th man for the Perth Test, but was released to play a Sheffield Shield match.

“Kyle Abbott comes in today, it’s just the kind of wicket for him”.

Australia was 8-4 and Callum Ferguson, making a belated test debut at 31, was left to face a hattrick ball in his first test innings.

Asked about going in with just four bowlers, as rain delays should mean they will get plenty of rest, Smith said: “Not sure, that’s up to the selectors and they’ll decide tomorrow”. Nevertheless, both Morne and Kyle are capable of some good bowling, while both are tough batsmen as well, and would be a tough call for du Plessis on whom to give the chance in place of Steyn.

All three Australian players were injured during the course of the first Test in Perth.