South Africa have had to put up with a fair few grumbles about their place in this World Test Championship final and grew tired of the topic during the buildup. Other than pointing folks in the direction of the International Cricket Council, the teams who can afford to arrange more fixtures and the league table they topped, the only response they could really give was to compete out on the field.
It was a case of mission accomplished with the ball, at least, even if a topsy-turvy opening day that witnessed 14 wickets ended with Australia in the ascendancy. Led by Kagiso Rabada, a player dogged by headlines about his recent ban for cocaine use, the Proteas had razed the defending champions for 212 in two and a bit sessions, only to close on a troubling 43 for four in reply.
