Africa-Press – South-Africa. Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne hailed fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for his breakthrough spell that helped the tourists get back into the mix on day one of the opening Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
Verreynne top-scored for the Proteas with a much-needed half-century as South Africa were dismissed for a paltry 152 in 48.2 overs at the Gabba.
After being sent in to bat, the Proteas’ top order crumbled but Verreynne led from the front with a fighting 64 off 96 balls (hitting eight fours and a six) before he was caught at slip off the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon.
WATCH | Zondo takes ‘superman’ catch to remove Warner for golden duck
The Proteas got off to the best possible start as opener David Warner fell for a golden duck thanks to a superb one-handed catch by Khaya Zondo off the bowling of Rabada.
“When we got bowled out, you want to try and get the energies up. But it is quite difficult, so when you get a wicket in the first ball… and when it’s a big player like David Warner… I think that just lifts everyone up,” Verreynne told reporters on Saturday.
“For the next 10 overs, we carried that energy and adrenaline and got those next two wickets. I think that sort of set us up quite nicely.
“Unfortunately, we sort of fell away a bit for the next sort of 10 over period or so, but it was definitely a massive moment in the game for us.”
Australia were 27-3 before a century stand between Travis Head and Steve Smith put the hosts in control.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje broke the partnership as he bowled Smith out for 36, but it was Rabada’s wicket of nightwatchman Scott Boland (1) at the close of play that gave the Proteas something to smile about at the end of a difficult day.
Verreynne hailed Rabada for being able to consistently perform against the world’s best batting attacks.
“I think with KG, he is someone who always sort of targets the big players, I think he’s one of those guys,” said Verreynne.
“I don’t know what the stats are, but I reckon he probably has one of the highest percentages of getting the top three or four batters out. I think that’s something that he is really good at.
“He’s our main bowler and yes, if we need someone to sort of crack a game open or get the opposition’s big-name players out, he’s always the guy we go to. It’s something he loves doing and he does it really well.”
Verreynne added that the pitch prepared in the Gabba was “good” and that South Africa knew more or less what to expect.
“I think when you see a pitch that’s so green, you probably expect it to do so much. I think this probably did a lot less than what we thought it was,” he said.
“It wasn’t as soft as I think we would expect with the grass cover that there was. I think the wicket was actually quite firm and there was a decent amount of pace and bounce in it. It was a good wicket.”
Travis Head remains unbeaten on 78 and will be joined by a new batter with Australia on 145-5 after 33.1 overs.
Play on Day 2 starts at 02:20 (SA time).
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