Webster hails Aussie big three after critical WTC knock

Fourteen wickets fell on the opening of the World test Championship at Lord’s with controversial fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claiming five to help bowl Australia out for a modest 212.

Much was said of both sides pace attack in the lead up to the final so the key question was always going to be who could get the most runs on the board.

It was Steve Smith and Beau Webster that led the rescue mission scoring 66 and 72 respectively with Australia at a perilous 67-4.

Had South Africa reviewed earlier in his innings, Webster would have been out for 8 in what proved a huge mistake for the Proteas and a free pass for the Aussies.

For Smith it was a historic moment as it took his career total al Lord’s to 591 elevating him above Don Bradman (551), Garry Sobers (571) and Warren Bardsley (575) for the most at the home of cricket by a touring player.

The record has stood since 1926.

As for South Africa, they face thew Aussie onslaught going into the early evening with Mitch Starc removing openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton cheaply before Markram departed for a duck.

Shortly before stumps Pat Cummins bowled Wiaan Mulder before Josh Hazlewood removed Tristan Stubbs leaving South Africa 43-4.

"It’s been a good day," Webster told SEN. "It was tough work out there and we were lucky to get through and four scalps tonight.

"I was under pressure out there; the ball was moving about quite a bit. I got Steve at the other end who was making batting look easy as he does. I think my game plan works on these surfaces."

Asked how he and his teammates handles the pressure given the modest total, Webster added: "It was calm, the beauty of this group is we know we can win from any position.

"We have a modest score on the board but the four we got at the end go a long way towards winning. We will try and rectify the first inning mistakes."

Webster was full of praise for Australia's "big three" for their performance in the latter part of the day.

"World class bowling line ups is always going to be challenging for the top order batsmen and the duke ball is another spanner in the works," he said.

"You can get carried away a bit with those three thinking you’re going to get a wicket every ball. Which is good in the slips but its testament to how good they are those three."

Smith echoed his teammate’s sentiments on the performance of the bowlers.

“They’ve done it for a long time haven’t they. Today was no different. They all bowled really nicely,” he said.

“When you know you’ve only got a couple of hours to bowl in the night you can probably give a little bit more knowing you’re going to have a break afterwards.

“The boys bowled a couple of long spells. They keep coming again and again and have done it for a long time.

“I looked up today and kind of forget every now and then Starcy has played 97 Tests which is a hell of an effort for a fast bowler.

“He’s just relentless with his body. He’s a tough character. He bowls through a lot of pain. The three have been great and hopefully they can come again in the morning and make a few early inroads.”

In awe of both sets of bowlers, Damien Fleming suggested that the Aussie "big three" don't get the recognition they deserve.

"Could there have been any more wickets?" he said in his analysis of day on for SEN Cricket. "Rabada made the most of that ball.

"It was a tough day for batting, Smith though looked like he was batting on a different pitch but it ended on a bizarre note.

"South Africa’s batsmen I did not see a lot of intent; the big three, they strangled the South African top order.

"The three Aussies were fantastic, it was a big day for them, they sent the bails flying.

"I don’t think we give enough credit to these three fast bowlers. If you played 50 tests as a fast back in the day you were in the top 10, they’ve gone well past that they have over 1000 wickets between them."

__The first ball of day two is set for 7:30 pm (AEST) on Thursday.

[You can listen to every ball of the decider LIVE on SEN and the SEN APP)