Australia on points as South Africa battle to draw
South Africa began the first Test looking every inch the world's best team. They ended it cornered, scrapping unattractively to secure a draw
09/11Result
1st Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Brisbane, Nov 9-13 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
450 & 166/5 (68 ov) -
![Australia]( "Australia")
565/5d
Player of the Match
09/11Result
1st Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Brisbane, Nov 9-13 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
450 & 166/5 (68 ov) -
![Australia]( "Australia")
565/5d
Player of the Match
Day 5
The angry Australian
Plays of the Day from the fifth day of the first Test in Brisbane
South Africa's squad set to disperse after drawn Test
Gary Kirsten is flying home to South Africa for a short break, while the rest of the squad will also go on short trips ahead of the Adelaide Test
No-balls or no calls?
Bowlers might find it frustrating when umpires check for a no-ball after a batsman is dismissed, but they have nobody to blame but themselves
Clarke's positivity rubs off on Australia
Michael Clarke has instilled into his own side that it is possible to win from any situation. The attacking mindset was personified by James Pattinson's fiery spell, for example
South Africa need more killer instinct
Despite reaching the No. 1 rankings, Graeme Smith's side is yet to win two Test matches in succession in almost three years
Day 4
Clarke, Cowan and Hussey dominate SA
Ed Cowan smoothed the path for Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey to run South Africa ragged as Australia closed day four on 4 for 487
Clarke perfects blueprint for the captain's innings
Match-altering, lead-from-the-front innings have become Australia captain Michael Clarke's trademark over the past year
Ed Cowan proves he belongs
At the Gabba, Australia opener Ed Cowan not only staved off Test cricket's best bowling attack, he flourished against them
World's best attack brought down to earth
There will be days when a pitch has nothing in it, South Africa are out of ideas and a Michael Clarke is hard to remove. And they will need to know what to do on those days - something they did not know today
Clarke dominates run fest at the Gabba
Stats highlights from day four of the first Test in Brisbane
Cowan's nervous lunch, and Taylor's gaffe
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the fourth day at the Gabba
Day 3
Advantage South Africa after hosts' top order stumbles
A day that meandered through its first two sessions after the fashion of South Africa's batsmen became positively lively as Australia's batsmen stumbled then counter-attacked
Top-order concerns remain for Australia
Australia have grown familiar to being three down for not many in Tests of late
Amla, the secret of Kallis' prolific run?
Jacques Kallis has shifted a gear since scoring his first double-century in December 2010. A key factor for this seems to be the presence of Hashim Amla
Will lack of a spin option hurt South Africa?
Although the pitch hasn't taken much turn, it is a pitch that requires bowlers to put a lot of effort in and South Africa may find a need for someone to provide respite to the quicks, which they now don't have
Steyn gets bounced, Kleinveldt gets reprieved
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day at the Gabba
Day 2
Incessant rain forces washout
A nation keen to spend Saturday on the couch had to find other things to do as day two of the first Test between Australia and South Africa was washed out in Brisbane
Duminy injured in peak form, say team-mates
JP Duminy's team-mates say the batsman was in prime fitness and form before his tour of Australia was ended by a serious injury
Day 1
Amla and Kallis lay strong foundation
Spectators who arrived at the Gabba in record numbers for a non-Ashes Test might have expected fire and brimstone from the Australian fast bowlers and plenty of chatter from their slips cordon
Bowlers forget the McDermott mantra
Australia's bowlers were guilty of bowling short on a slower Gabba pitch and their new bowling coach's key task would be to remind them the methods that brought them success last year
Heel injury puts Duminy out for up to six months
JP Duminy, the South Africa batsman, has ruptured an Achilles tendon in his left heel, and the injury could put him out for three to six months
Amla makes Australia pay for errors
Hashim Amla's innings wasn't flawless, but what sets him apart is that he is not affected when his weaknesses are exposed. When handed a life, the opposition usually regrets it
Petersen's reverse sweep, Amla's new name
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the first day at the Gabba
Others
Is the no-ball law too exact?
Most rules are in favour of the batsman. Maybe it is time to give bowlers the line at least
Cowan's joyful loneliness
You make the hundred. You go crazy. The crowd roar. You celebrate with your batting partner. You acknowledge your family, team-mates and the crowd
Australia's intimidation tactics 'humorous' - Amla
Hashim Amla made light of the Australian attitude of aggression, calling it "quite humorous," and brushed aside any suggestion of being intimidated
Squad rethink required for South Africa
The indifferent performance in the field by South Africa at the Gabba needs to be rectified, and perhaps its time for some radical changes in the team to be made
Virtual Eye creator criticises ICC's DRS usage
Ian Taylor, the creator of Virtual Eye, has criticised the ICC for their handling of the Decision Review System (DRS), saying the technology was not 100% accurate and should only be used to overturn 'howlers'
Ritchie dumped from Adelaide Test gig
Greg Ritchie has been dumped from a planned speaking engagement at the annual Adelaide Test match dinner after his offensive comments at the Gabba
The hundred Ed had to have
Cowan's century at the Gabba was a celebration of bloody-minded determination over hope
South Africa batsmen easily distracted - Warner
South Africa's batsmen were too easily distracted when batting during the first Test and should improve their concentration, says David Warner
The Gabba boy
If you want to know what Brisbane's cricket culture is like, you've got to talk to Ian Healy
Kleinveldt keen to improve on 'tough' debut
Although he was guilty of bowling no-balls and loose deliveries in Brisbane, Rory Kleinveldt should not be disregarded yet
Clarke considers all-pace attack
Mitchell Starc and Ben Hilfenhaus may both be included in a four-man pace attack at the Gabba as the pitch maintained its green tinge on Thursday
Cowan vows to bat with freedom
While trying his best to ignore the chorus predicting him to be the first batsman to find his way out of the Australian Test team this summer, Ed Cowan is out to change a few perceptions
Kleinveldt's second chance
Vernon Philander created giant footmarks. Very few will be expecting Rory Kleinveldt to fill them when he appears for the first time in whites on the international stage
Australia's captain without a deputy
The absence of the official vice-captain, Shane Watson, due to injury has left Australia without a second-in-command for the first Test against South Africa
Quiney part of buffer zone for middle order
Michael Clarke has defended his decision to thrust the Test debutant Rob Quiney into No.3 against South Africa's powerful pace attack
'Dossier' a motivator - Smith
Graeme Smith says the leaked Australian game plan "dossier" and references in the media to their strategies for South Africa have served to motivate his own side
Little mystery, much anticipation
ESPNcricinfo's preview of the first Test between Australia and South Africa in Brisbane