Marizanne Kapp’s absence did not affect South Africa, says Klaas

South Africa’s hopes of a serious upset of their first Take a look at in opposition to Australia had been rocked when Kapp was dominated out as a result of sickness. She had been absent from coaching within the lead-up to the match, however was anticipated to play. The South Africa camp had hoped she might pull by way of on match day, however she did not really feel nicely sufficient. “We solely discovered after we needed to play that she’s not going to play,” Klaas instructed reporters after day one of many Take a look at.

After being despatched in to bat, South Africa’s batting wilted in opposition to sustained strain from Australia’s quicks, who bowled a disciplined line exterior off stump that had batters perishing to free pictures. With out the mighty presence of Kapp, South Africa misplaced eight wickets in a humiliating first session earlier than being routed for simply 76 of their lowest ever Take a look at rating in an innings that lasted 31.2 overs.

“I do not suppose so,” Klaas mentioned when requested if South Africa had been rattled within the wake of Kapp’s absence. “We’re assured sufficient and have a powerful batting line-up, so I will not say that her not being right here affected the staff.”

Whereas it was a troublesome day for South Africa, Klaas was a shining mild on her debut as she ripped open Australia’s prime order by dismissing Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath cheaply. Her efficiency earned reward from Kapp, who additionally voiced on social media her lament that South Africa did not choose younger fast Eliz-mari Marx.

Studying from the success of Australia’s quicks, Klaas continued the sturdy type she had confirmed throughout the white-ball sequence, the place South Africa loved historic first victories over Australia within the T20I and ODI codecs.

“I watched the Australian bowlers, and I noticed that there was one thing on this pitch. So I mentioned to myself, ‘I am gonna make use of it’,” she mentioned. “So I went on the market with a optimistic mindset of hitting my line and lengths, in order that labored for me.”

Regardless of Klaas’ heroics, South Africa began wilting in oppressive circumstances as they went by way of the motions within the again finish of the day’s play. However the late wickets of Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy, who fell within the penultimate over earlier than stumps for 99, has given South Africa faint hope of igniting a comeback.

“Her [Healy’s] wicket was a game-changer, however we now have to come back again… we nonetheless have one other 5 wickets to take tomorrow,” Klaas mentioned. “The extra you’re in, the better it’s [to bat]. [The batters need to] keep longer on the pitch.”

Brown: Something can occur on ‘bowler-friendly wicket’

Boasting a lead of 175 runs with 5 wickets in hand, Australia are in agency management, and there’s the prospect of the match lasting simply two days in what can be an anti-climax after the absorbing white-ball sequence.

Brown was the standout along with her first five-wicket haul in Take a look at cricket, and her fiery bowling was tailor made for a green-tinged floor that fittingly supplied lots for the quicks in Take a look at cricket’s return to the WACA. She was additionally always armed with a packed slips cordon to rekindle pictures of lore on the well-known floor.

“I had a second the place I used to be like ‘That is so cool’ simply all of the slips,” Brown mentioned. “I’ve by no means bowled with a seven-two [field]… solely two on the leg aspect. It was an incredible second.”