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Four-star Starc leaves South Africa reeling

A failed review capped a miserable day for South Africa on the opening day of their first cricket Test against Australia at the WACA Ground, here on Thursday.

After fast bowler Mitchell Starc returned in style with four wickets to help Australia dismiss South Africa for 242, the visitors were denied the crucial wicket of David Warner in bizarre circumstances late in the day.

Seamer Vernon Philander believed he had trapped Warner LBW for 17 with the Australian total on just 19, but umpire Aleem Dar dismissed the appeal.

The South Africans called for a review, only for replays to show it was a front foot no-ball by Philander.

Their frustration was exacerbated when further replays revealed it would have been out had Philander not overstepped.

At stumps on the first day it was shaping as a costly error by Philander as the reprieve helped the free-hitting Warner get through to the close to cap a tremendous day for the home side.

Australia was in a commanding position at 105 without loss, with Warner on 73 and Shaun Marsh on 29, the latter having battled to survive an opening salvo from paceman Dale Steyn.

Warner made the most of his good fortune with some dashing strokeplay, including a six over third man off Steyn where he ended up on his backside as the ball sailed over the fence. The left-hander reached his half-century in just 39 balls and now has 744 runs at 106.28 in Tests in Perth.

The opening partnership was also a record for Australia against South Africa at the WACA Ground as the home team capitalised on the earlier good work of its pace bowlers.

Returning from a gruesome leg injury suffered in training, Starc struck with the fourth ball of the match and bowled with sustained pace as the tourists struggled after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Earlier, the Australian pace attack, led by Starc (4-71) and Josh Hazlewood (3-70), struck early as the Proteas slumped to 32 for 4.

Middle order batsmen Temba Bavuma (51) and Quinton de Kock, who top-scored with an aggressive 84, rallied with a 71-run stand for the sixth wicket.

The day also started with an outstanding Marsh catch, with Shaun’s younger brother Mitchell leaping high at gully to remove Cook for a duck in the first over.
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