Perth Test: Rabada spearheads Proteas to mighty 177-run win over Aussies

Perth [Australia], Nov. 7 (ANI):Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada scalped a five-wicket haul as South Africa made a stunning comeback to clinch a massive 177-run win over Australia in the opening Test of the three-match series at the WACA Ground here on Monday. Resuming at an overnight score of 169-4, Usman Khawaja (97) and Mitchell Marsh (26) steadied their side's innings before the latter was controversially given out leg before wicket of a Rabada delivery. Marsh was originally given not out after he was struck low on the pads.However, the decision was over-turned when the DRS's ball-tracking technology showed it to be hitting more than 50 per cent of Marsh's leg stump and he was sent back to the pavilion. Following Marsh's dismissal, Khawaja and Peter Nevill (60) kept the score board ticking as the duo stitched a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The hosts, however, failed to build any more partnerships after Khawaja's dismissal and were eventually bundled out for 361 runs in their chase of massive of 539 runs to win. Rabada finished with seven wickets, including two from Australia's first innings. Vernon Philander, J P Duminy, Temba Bavuma and debutant Keshav Maharaj all chipped in with a wicket each in the second innings. Earlier, South Africa were bundled out for 242 runs in their first innings before they bounced back in style to bowl out Australia for 244 runs and post 540 in their second innings. While the Faf du Plessis-led side have now taken a 1-0 lead in the series, Australia lost their first home Test since 2012---when also they lost to South Africa at the WACA by 309 runs. Rabada was declared `Man of the Match` for his brilliant display with the ball. The two sides will play their second Test at Bellerive Oval in Hobart from November 12. (ANI)