Action moves to the Adelaide Oval where Australia and South Africa go head to head for the second Test match starting from Thursday.
We’ll bring you live scores of the action throughout the first Test match, with the match starting at 11.00am AEDT from November 22.
The second Test will be played at Adelaide’s new construction site – the very pretty Oval currently under big redevelopment.
Australia’s preparations for the Test have been thrown a little off with the Shane Watson will-he-won’t-he saga.
He was added to the squad, had to endure a series of fitness tests before he admitted that he wouldn’t be bowling in the game, only to be dumped out of the squad.
What this means is that Australia’s top-order will remain the same; Dave Warner and Rob Quiney retain their places in the squad, Ed Cowan will look to build on his maiden Test century while Ricky Ponting hunts for his first run in the series.
With Clarke and Michael Hussey showing fine form on an admittedly placid pitch, they could be in the right frame of mind going into a game at Adelaide where first innings scores have usually been on a higher side.
The other question-mark was around the make-up of the bowling line-up after a poor effort with the ball, but the selectors have backed the trio of Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson ahead of Mitchell Starc. Nathan Lyon had an effective Test match and will take up the sole spinner’s slot.
South Africa were forced to bring in a new batsman after the injury to JP Duminy. Faf du Plessis is most likely to take up that spot.
With Jacques Rudolph continuing to struggle for runs, his place in the team could have been untenable had to not been for the Duminy injury. He retains his place in a side which will see Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis being the flag-bearers of run-scoring.
Imran Tahir will be drafted into the playing 11 with Rory Kleinveldt expected to sit out after a very poor game. The onus, however, will be on whether Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander can rediscover their mojo.
The psychological advantage, whatever its worth, lies with Australia after the way they came back and made South Africa graft through the last couple of sessions but it is difficult to see a powerful bowling line-up like South Africa’s, to fail twice in a row.
The flat nature of the Adelaide Oval may blunt the bowlers in the first innings, but things happened very quickly in the second. Both teams will do well to remind themselves of this, especially after getting into difficult situations against the opposition batsmen.
To make things worse, boundaries have been shortened – losing six metres on the eastern side and 10m from the southern end.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Just out of interest, putting the hundred argument aside (which I don't agree with - 90 sets a team up as well as 100, it is a meaningless statistical difference, your average is all that matters), what is Watson's average opening? What constitutes "not great"?
Neuen
Roar Rookie
What if South Africa comes in takes two days to score 500 odd runs and match is a draw? Do we blame the SA cricket team who knew that only Australia can win this one and who basically from day 1 changed into survival mode. Or The groundsman and Australian cricket for providing a pitch thats made for a bat-o-thon? I find one thing interestingly. Ropes was brought in 6 meters. That was after the going to bowl short at you statement. Hussey top edge go for 6. Hello!
Lolly
Guest
That was bloody horrible. I hate watching Punter play like this. It wasn''t that brilliant a ball, surely?
Jimbo jones
Guest
Clark has to be careful with the declaration, he's seen how fragile the batting line up can be
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I'm struggling to think if I have seen such a dominating opening day of test cricket. Clarke can do no wrong.
Johnno
Guest
The day also has to be put int perspective. I don't want to sound like a party popper. But Kallis went off early. Aussies were 3 down for not much. about 3/50. And philander was rules out this morning, a massive blow as he has been stats wise there best fast bowler of late. Steyn is not 100% he got injured yes today, but also has been battling a virus all week. And hot Adeliade weather wouldn't have helped. Either way STH Africa lack a little bit of depth it seems in the bowling department when a few injuries strike. Rory Kleinveldt is not showing much signs he is up to test cricket. Saj Mahmmod anyone. He is that type of bowler or a Scott Muller too , or a Chris Matthews. A decent 1st class bowler but just not good enough to step up to the next level test class level it seems. They wil like bowling at Perth but 1 down and with injuries to key players not much hope for this Proteas side.They seem to lack depth, we have more bowling depth it seems if injuries strike.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Some of the finest Test batting Australian willow has seen. Phenomenal Clarke. And Hussey was no mug himself!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
And Australia should likewise be taking helpful cues from that!
The Bush
Roar Guru
Boy all you do is post hyperbole. Let's give it a few years hey...
Red Kev
Guest
You wouldn't bet against him would you
Red Kev
Guest
Worth noting that Steyn was getting good shape with that second new ball and that ball to dismiss Hussey was a beauty. It's not much, but SA need to look for positives wherever they can.
Geno
Guest
Geez, i thought the Indian bowling attack was bad! What's Tahir doing he trys too bowl every ball in his arsenal each over, he shouldn't be playing club cricket let alone for South Africa!
Rhys
Guest
James, Clarke is averaging a lazy 140 for this calendar year. He's notched up a staggering 1265 runs in this, just his 8th Test for the year. With this Test and 3 more to come for 2012, can Clarke become the first player in Test history to score 2000 runs in a calendar year?
jamesb
Guest
Rhys, Clarke and Hussey have done the business again. Well done Rhys, you kept the faith!
jamesb
Guest
just let Warner play his natural game.........aggressive. When he doesn't, that;s when he finds himself in a bit of trouble
jamesb
Guest
just let Warner play his natural game.........aggressive. When he doesn't, that;s when he finds himself in a bit of trouble
jamesb
Guest
5/482 in ONE DAY. I can't believe it! What's even more staggering, South Africa only bowled 86.5 overs, 521 legitimate deliveries. What can I say about Clarke. He must be very happy with his life on and off the field. Exceptional! Absolutely Exceptional!
Neuen
Roar Rookie
If you do not take wickets with the new ball your not going to take any with a old ball on this pitch. If South Africa to reply with a 500 and it will be draw. Last time crazy stuff like tis happened in a test match Gayle scored 300, SA used 11 bowlers, 8 tons were scored in one test match and Boucher took a wicket!
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
Wicket! Steyn gets one to nip back at Hussey and the bails go flying! South Africa have finally gotten a wicket, but with the score now at 5/482, it is close to joyless. And that is stumps. So ends a torturous day for the Proteas. The Australians who scored runs today - and particularly Michael Clarke - will be walking on sunshine. I can't see any way back for South Africa from here. One hopes that Kallis' injury shows some improvement overnight. Hussey finished with 103 runs off 137 deliveries. A very fun innings from the stalwart, he and Clarke have been just merciless today. And Clarke has ascended to another level. As has been pointed out, this is his fourth double-century of the calendar year, a feat that has never been achieved by any other Test batsman. As of this moment, he is averaging over 140 runs in matches played in 2012. And tomorrow he will have a great shot at becoming the first Test player to score two triple-centuries in a calendar year - an achievement he didn't pursue in Brisbane when he declared with his score on 263. Tomorrow will be an historical day of cricket one way or another. In any case, the overnight score is 5/482, and Clarke will be joined at the crease by Matthew Wade tomorrow morning. 4/582 - Clarke 224 (243)
Jiggles
Roar Guru
And Just as I write that Hussey is out haha