Marsh Ton Leads Australian Fightback

Centurion: Shaun Marsh (122*) led an Australian fightback on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.

Australia were 297 for four at stump on day 1.

They were reeling at 98 for four after being sent in to bat but Marsh (122 not out) and Steve Smith (91 not out) added an unbeaten 199 for the fifth wicket with positive stroke play.

Marsh hits twelve boundaries in 2nd Test century, while Smith also hits same number of boundaries.

David Warner hit two boundaries off Dale Steyn in the first over of the match but made only 12 before he was bowled by Steyn, edging an attempted cut into his stumps.

Chris Rogers made four before he was caught at short leg off Morne Morkel.

The tall fast bowler's first delivery of the match, after he replaced Steyn, was a bouncer which struck Rogers on the shoulder. The next ball was another lifter which Rogers fended to the leg side, with JP Duminy diving to his right to take a good catch.

New cap Alex Doolan and Marsh added 48 for the third wicket before Doolan was caught at midwicket off Ryan McLaren for 27.

Captain Michael Clarke became Steyn's second victim when he top-edged a hook to fine leg after scoring 23.

Marsh, who survived a sharp chance to Hashim Amla at gully off Morkel when he had 12, went through a quiet period when he scored only nine runs in 18 overs on either side of lunch but reached his half-century off 101 balls with seven fours.

Earlier, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl in first.

Ryan McLaren in for Jacques Kallis in the team.

Alex Doolan is in his debut, Shaun Marsh included too, replaced Shane Watson

Teams

South Africa: Graeme Smith (Capt.), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wk), JP Duminy, Ryan McLaren, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Australia Chris Rogers, David Warner, Alex Doolan, Michael Clarke (Capt.), Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon.

Brief scores
Australia 297 for 4 (Marsh 122*, Smith 91)

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