South Africa vs Australia 2018: 4th Test, Day 5, Talking points

#4 Disastrous start for Australia

Shaun Marsh was dismissed on the first ball of the day.

Resuming at 88/3, Australia needed their two overnight batsmen to show some fight and take this game long if they were to have any chances of salvaging a draw. Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb had done it in the past. They had helped Australia draw a game in Ranchi last year against India batting valiantly.

However, it was a disastrous start for the Aussies as Vernon Philander got rid of Shaun Marsh on the first ball of the day. Marsh got an inside-edge while he tried to defend and the ball lobbed up to gully. Marsh departed for a 20-ball 7. On the fourth delivery of the day, Mitchell Marsh followed his brother as he nicked off. He fell for a three-ball duck. And it was certainly not the start Australia hoped for on the final day of the Test match.