• Australia 297-4; South Africa
• Shaun Marsh scores 122 not out
Shaun Marsh made the most of a late call-up to the Australia side, scoring an unbeaten century in his first Test in two years to lead a middle-order recovery, as Australia closed on 297 for four on the first day of the first test against South Africa on Wednesday.
Marsh, who arrived only on Sunday as an emergency replacement for the injured Shane Watson, finished on 122 not out from 232 balls, and will resume his innings at Centurion on Thursday in tandem with Steve Smith, who remains unbeaten on 91.
The pair produced an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 199 to steady the tourists, who had been 98 for four just after lunch.
Marsh, beset by injury problems and a lack of runs over the past year, was something of a gamble by the Australian selectors. But after offering a difficult catch on 12, he saw off South Africa's vaunted attack on a piping hot day to score his second Test century, after a first on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011.
"It took the rest of us a week to get over the jet lag, so it must have been hard for him being here only three days," Smith said of Marsh's effort. "He was amazing all day, he let the ball come into his areas and then capitalised on it.
"We knew it would be tough initially but it has turned into a good wicket and there are now a couple of cracks developing. So we will want to get a big first-innings total and then hope the cracks begin to play a part in the game."
Smith provided ample backing, matching Marsh with 12 fours in his innings. The pair pushed the run rate up considerably after an uneasy start for the tourists, who were 83 for three at lunch and then lost captain Michael Clarke soon after.
Clarke was caught at deep fine-leg off a short delivery from Dale Steyn for 23 as the much-anticipated encounter between the highly-rated batsman and bowler went Steyn's way – but it proved to be one of few highlights for the quicks on a fast track.
Early on it looked as if the South Africa captain, Graeme Smith, had made the right decision by asking Australia to bat, but by the end of the day that was in the balance. He had admitted at the toss that he was uncertain what choice to make despite brilliant sunshine illuminating the ground.
After a fast start from Australia, South Africa removed both openers quickly to leave the tourists on 24 for two. First, David Warner (12) chopped a Steyn delivery on to his stumps, before Chris Rogers (four) was brilliantly caught by a diving JP Duminy at short leg off a rising Morne Morkel ball that struck him on the gloves.
The debutant Alex Doolan (27) was out 15 minutes before lunch, caught at mid-wicket by Robin Peterson as he tried to pull Ryan McLaren to the on-side.
South Africa's best bowling return came from Steyn, with two wickets for 54 from 20 overs, including four maidens. Reported by guardian.co.uk 12 hours ago.
• Shaun Marsh scores 122 not out
Shaun Marsh made the most of a late call-up to the Australia side, scoring an unbeaten century in his first Test in two years to lead a middle-order recovery, as Australia closed on 297 for four on the first day of the first test against South Africa on Wednesday.
Marsh, who arrived only on Sunday as an emergency replacement for the injured Shane Watson, finished on 122 not out from 232 balls, and will resume his innings at Centurion on Thursday in tandem with Steve Smith, who remains unbeaten on 91.
The pair produced an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 199 to steady the tourists, who had been 98 for four just after lunch.
Marsh, beset by injury problems and a lack of runs over the past year, was something of a gamble by the Australian selectors. But after offering a difficult catch on 12, he saw off South Africa's vaunted attack on a piping hot day to score his second Test century, after a first on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011.
"It took the rest of us a week to get over the jet lag, so it must have been hard for him being here only three days," Smith said of Marsh's effort. "He was amazing all day, he let the ball come into his areas and then capitalised on it.
"We knew it would be tough initially but it has turned into a good wicket and there are now a couple of cracks developing. So we will want to get a big first-innings total and then hope the cracks begin to play a part in the game."
Smith provided ample backing, matching Marsh with 12 fours in his innings. The pair pushed the run rate up considerably after an uneasy start for the tourists, who were 83 for three at lunch and then lost captain Michael Clarke soon after.
Clarke was caught at deep fine-leg off a short delivery from Dale Steyn for 23 as the much-anticipated encounter between the highly-rated batsman and bowler went Steyn's way – but it proved to be one of few highlights for the quicks on a fast track.
Early on it looked as if the South Africa captain, Graeme Smith, had made the right decision by asking Australia to bat, but by the end of the day that was in the balance. He had admitted at the toss that he was uncertain what choice to make despite brilliant sunshine illuminating the ground.
After a fast start from Australia, South Africa removed both openers quickly to leave the tourists on 24 for two. First, David Warner (12) chopped a Steyn delivery on to his stumps, before Chris Rogers (four) was brilliantly caught by a diving JP Duminy at short leg off a rising Morne Morkel ball that struck him on the gloves.
The debutant Alex Doolan (27) was out 15 minutes before lunch, caught at mid-wicket by Robin Peterson as he tried to pull Ryan McLaren to the on-side.
South Africa's best bowling return came from Steyn, with two wickets for 54 from 20 overs, including four maidens. Reported by guardian.co.uk 12 hours ago.