South Africa and Australia: Markram and Ackerman Survive the Opening Overs

South Africa began the first session of the Test that will decide the series in a calm manner at home. Aiden Markram added four runs with a boundary off Mitchell Starc's first over. Most of Starc's deliveries landed short, and Markram had little difficulty scoring off them.

In the over bowled by Hazlewood, Marques Ackerman played the deliveries carefully. The Australian bowler tried to build pressure with balls moving away from the off stump, but Ackerman kept a defensive approach and added runs slowly. Only two runs were scored in that over.

The overall picture of the first session shows that both teams wanted to start cautiously. South Africa approached the total with patience, while Australia's bowlers tried narrow lines and different lengths to take wickets. What matters for the result is how this early control turns into pressure later in the day.