CAPE TOWN: Australia lost both their opening batsmen cheaply after being
sent in to bat on the first day of the first Test against South Africa
at Newlands on Wednesday.Australia were 39 for two at lunch.
Only 15 overs of play was possible after rain delayed the start by
almost two hours, causing the hours of play to be pushed out by an hour.Dale
Steyn had Shane Watson caught at second slip by Jacques Kallis for
three and new cap Vernon Philander had Phil Hughes caught behind for
nine.Shaun Marsh (17 not out) and Ricky Ponting (eight not out) saw the Australians through to lunch in seam-friendly conditions.Steyn
took one for eight in five overs, while Philander, making his debut in
his home city, shared the new ball and bowled a tight line to take one
for 16 in six overs, which included an edged four by Hughes and a hooked
six by Ponting from the only ball he dropped short.Philander, 26, was one of two new caps, with South Africa also selecting Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, 32.Australia
made only one change from the side that beat South Africa A in a
warm-up game last week with fast bowler Ryan Harris replacing Trent
Copeland
