Marques Ackerman smashes 4 consecutive fours to Mitchell Starc. Image Credits: AP
Australia's tour of South Africa reached the scenic Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday for the Test series decider, and the hosts were all over the Aussies early on Day 1.
Playing only his second Test, Marques Ackerman used his First-Class experience to assert dominance over a star-studded Australian bowling attack.
The depleted Aussie unit decided to protect their batters and asked South Africa to bat first, but the decision seemed to immediately backfire, with how Ackerman took on the seasoned bowlers.
Marques Ackerman dampens Australian spirits
Generally known to dominate the first sessions, Mitchell Starc was taken for the cleaners by Marques Ackerman. As the first session of the series decider was entering its final minutes, the southpaw racked up four consecutive fours from Starc, using up all his pace.
The said incident happened in the 25th over of the session, where Ackerman had his eyes in and crossed the fifty-run mark for the first time in his Test career. Ackerman welcomed the left-arm quick with a cut through the backward point, punishing the delivery wide outside off. He followed it up with a whip over the midwicket region.
With every ball, Starc kept getting quicker and he bowled 24.3 and 24.4 at 148 kmph. Ackerman, who has already played close to 90 FC matches did not hold back and cut both deliveries for fours, making it four fours to start the over. He used the pace smartly to place the ball in the gap to move from 64*(69) to 81*(74) by the end of the over.
Watch the video below:
Ackerman eyes maiden Test century
The 30-year-old Dolphins captain usually bats in the middle order in domestic cricket, as well as when he plays for South Africa A. However, the only spot in the team when he made his debut in Gqeberha was at the top and was asked to do the tough job.
Unfortunately, Ackerman got out for only 6 on debut, but just in his second innings, the left-hander looks at home with 82*(75) in the first session of the Newlands Test.
The Proteas are on the top with 140/0, scoring at 5.18 runs per over and having scored 16 FC centuries previously, Ackerman is eyeing to make mark in Tests with a century against a fierce Aussie bowling.
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