Bowlers Have Better Of Opening Day In Potchefstroom

Bowlers Have Better Of Opening Day In Potchefstroom

Mitchell Johnson (left) took four wickets and Michael Clarke (right) was unbeaten on 41 in Potchefstroom

©REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte (SRI LANKA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

South Africa A 183 (Johnson 4-38, Siddle 3-16) v
Australians 115-3 (Marsh 51no)
Tour game, Potchefstroom, day one

13 wickets fell on the opening day of a four-day tour match between South Africa A and the touring Australians in Potchefstroom, leaving the tourists in the better position.

A haul of four for 38 from Mitchell Johnson as well as three wickets apiece for Peter Siddle and Shane Watson dismissed the home side for 183, after which Shaun Marsh was unbeaten on 51 as Australia closed on 115 for three.

Having lost the toss and been put into field, Australia did not have to wait long for a first wicket when Siddle trapped Alviro Petersen in front without scoring.

Watson then had Stiaan van Zyl dismissed in the same manner before JP Duminy was caught by Brad Haddin off Siddle for 12.

Dean Elgar made 47 from the top of the order but he became the first of Johnson's victims when he too was out leg before wicket and just eight balls later Farhaan Behardien was trapped in front by the same bowler for eight as the South Africans slipped to 87 for five.

Thami Tsolekile (27) and Ryan McLaren (26) helped to steady the ship before another clatter of wickets saw Australia make short work of the rest of the batting, Watson having both set batsmen caught at the wicket, Michael Clarke catching Wayne Parnell (8) off Siddle and Marchant de Lange was bowled by Johnson for nought, leaving Vernon Philander unbeaten on 16.

Siddle returned three for 16 and Watson three for 23 as Australia chose to leave Patrick Cummins out of their playing eleven, instead preferring Trent Copeland. Usman Khawaja, Michael Beer and Ryan harris were also left out.

The wickets continued to tumble when the Australians came to bat as Parnell removed Watson for six and Philander had Phillip Hughes caught behind for four.

Philander did his chances of a Test debut no harm by swiftly dismissing former Australian captain Ricky Ponting - trapped in front for two - as the tourists were reduced to 21 for three.

However, Marsh then guided his side out of trouble in partnership with Clarke, who made 41 not out.

© Cricket World 2011