Aussies wilt on opening day of the Test Series

South Africa has taken the honours on the first day of the First Test match against Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth.

The Proteas put their sluggish start to the Tour behind them as Australia were mowed down in the final session of the day's play, losing 7-83 after the tea break and bowled out for just 258.

Earlier Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first despite the overcast conditions. The big debate all week, since the team returned home from the New Zealand one-day series, was who would be in the final XI for Australia.

All was revealed yesterday with Nathan Bracken recalled in place of Stuart MacGill, while fellow NSW Blues paceman Stuart Clark was handed the 12th man duties. South Africa named Jacques Rudolph ahead of injured all-rounder, and ICC Player of the year, Jacques Kallis.

Makhaya Ntini had a day to remember claiming 5-64 on the pace friendly pitch. Andre Nel is on a hat-trick after he cleaned up the tail.

Matthew Hayden was the only wicket to fall in the opening session dominated by Ponting. Ntini made the breakthrough in just the second over of the day when Hayden mis-timed a pull shot to Jacques Rudolph at gully.

Ponting reached his half-century off 68 balls shortly before lunch. After the main break, Justin Langer (37) top edged the ball to Graeme Smith at mid-off, the South African captain ran back while keeping his eye on the skied shot.

Ponting's innings was ended by Shaun Pollock, dismissed lbw for 71 while attempting to guide the ball off his legs and down to third man. Mike Hussey then joined Brad Hodge in the middle and despite the go-slow attitude, the pair ensured Australia went to the tea break only three down (3-175).

After the short interval, the wickets tumbled like dominoes. Charl Langeveldt went from hero to villain and back to hero when a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Hussey (23) was followed with an easy catch, offered by Brett Lee, dropped at mid-on. However, Langeveldt brushed that misfortune aside to claim Shane Warne (24) lbw in the over that followed.

Brad Hodge (41) handed Ntini his fourth wicket with an edge to keeper Mark Boucher, and his 10th five-wicket haul was completed when a top edge by Adam Gilchrist (6) went straight to Herschelle Gibbs at second slip.

Andre Nel finally got amongst the wickets when Andrew Symonds (13) played onto his stumps. Brett Lee remained not out 19 and shared a valuable 33-run partnership with Warne. Bracken and McGrath offered little resistance as Nel finished with 3-29.

South African in reply are blooming, with 38 runs on the board after just seven overs.

Play resumes tomorrow morning at 10:30am local time.

Full scorecard available here.

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