Related Links : Australia’s Tour of South Africa 2011/12 : Scorecard of South Africa Vs Australia, 1st Test at Cape Town
There was plenty of action at Newlands in Cape Town despite the rain breaks with South Africa putting Australia on the backfoot at 214 for 8 on Day 1 of the First Test. South Africa who won the toss and elected to field first had Australia in early trouble at 40 for 3 before Skipper Michael Clarke led the rescue act from the front with an unbeaten 16th Test hundred.
By the close of play, Clarke with his 107* from 114 balls (with 7 fours) ensured some respectability to the Australian total. Supporting him in the cause was Shaun Marsh who scored 44 (from 101 balls with 8 fours) in a 103-run stand for the fourth wicket. For the Proteas, the new bowlers Dale Steyn with 4 for 31 and debutant Vernon Philander with 3 for 54 did most of the damage. Apart from Vernon Philander, there was another debutant for SA in leggie Imran Tahir.