Contests between Australia and South Africa always seem to have something about them.
Though not quite an Ashes series, matches between the two nations nonetheless tend to have that extra level of excitement for fans in the anticipation of quality cricket and hardness at the contest.
In recent times, the teams have been relatively evenly matched. However before this series, most pundits were predicting a South African win, largely due to the quality of their bowling attack and recent winning record.
The Australian batting order was still seen as potentially vulnerable, especially without the injured Shane Watson.
However despite these predictions, the first Test match of the summer has concluded with little indication of who might win the series, ending in a draw.
The Proteas finished at 5/166 after Michael Clarke (259*) declared at 5/565. The Aussie captain was content with a 115 run lead and a chance to have a crack at the South African batsmen.
Hussey (100) had by then been added to the list of century makers, before Morne Morkel had him caught by substitute Faf du Plessis. Morkel was the best of the South African bowlers, with 3/127.
James Pattinson (2/58) once again took wickets, along with Nathan Lyon (2/41) and Peter Siddle (1/36). Jacques Kallis (49) was steady for South Africa, while Amla (38) and De Villiers (29*) also made starts.
Neither side is claiming to have the upper hand for the next test in Adelaide, a path of least resistance designed to limit the amount of pressure on performance.
But it is also a measure of two sides that, at least in this match, it was more even than anticipated.
Despite early wickets, the Australian batting line-up flourished. A side described as brittle by many stood up against the world number one pace attack.
The South African bowlers too did not look as invincible as had been reported leading up to the Gabba Test.
Dale Steyn (1/129), Vernon Philander (0/103) and Morkel all looked dangerous at times, but they took stick as well. Rory Kleindvelt (0/97) bowled 12 out a total of 23 no balls, a damning statistic for such a professional unit.
Both teams can improve but predicting which one will is no easy task.
The advantage of all of this from a spectator’s point of view is that the winner of the series is hard to predict. There is no real indication at this stage which team will be able to take control for long enough to determine the outcome.
This makes for great viewing. The nine days between Test matches will build the anticipation and excitement.
If the Test series between Australia and South Africa continues in the same way as it started at the Gabba, the result may be in doubt right up until the last moment.
As a cricket fan, that’s fine by me.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Test great Steve Smith is to play for Washington Freedom in the second season of Major League Cricket as the Australian influence in the…
Nathan Lyon has revealed his disappointment that Australia's cricket chiefs have prevented him from playing his first full season of county cricket in England…
Some of you may have watched the recent Fox Sports Series 'A Brief History of Australian Cricket: the Eighties'. If not, I’d definitely recommend…
Nathan Lyon's spell with English county Lancashire has been halved as Cricket Australia looks to protect the fitness of the star spinner. The Australian,…
Cricket Australia insists Optus Stadium can replace the Gabba as the men's Test team's new fortress after handing Perth the first match against India.…
It's no longer about how many runs score individually - it is about the team's ability to win Test in pressure moments.
