South African opener Alviro Petersen failed to make the most of a lucky break but the Proteas were still in control at tea on the opening day of the first Test against Australia at the Gabba on Friday.
South Africa cruised to 2-186 after only losing Petersen (64) in the middle session, with world No.2 batsman Hashim Amla not out 69 and champion allrounder Jacques Kallis unbeaten on 37 in an unbroken 67-run stand.
It looked like it would be Petersen’s day after he narrowly avoided being dismissed lbw by an unlucky Ben Hilfenhaus (0-43 off 17 overs) on 51.
Australia went up as one after Petersen tried to keep out Hilfenhaus’s inswinging yorker and were so confident they asked for a referral when initially knocked back by umpire Asad Rauf.
Replays showed the ball hit Petersen’s toe before thudding into his bat but it struck him marginally outside the line of off-stump, ensuring Rauf was not required to raise the finger.
To add further insult, it ensured the Australians were left with no more referrals for the innings after earlier unsuccessfully questioning whether Proteas captain Graeme Smith was caught behind – again off Hilfenhaus.
After appearing to dodge a bullet, Petersen then shot himself in the foot.
He lazily lofted spinner Nathan Lyon (1-51 off 10 overs) to Mike Hussey at mid-on, ending a 90-run, second-wicket stand with Amla.
South Africa resumed at 1-90 after lunch.
Earlier, Smith (10) won the toss but he lost his battle with fiery quick James Pattinson (1-41 off 14), reducing the Proteas to 1-29 in just the 11th over.
After surviving a video review of a leg-side caught behind chance on four, Smith’s luck ran out six runs later when Pattinson’s lbw shout was given the green light following a referral.