South Africa’s batsmen dominated as Australia endured their worst opening-day performance at the Gabba since their last Test loss at the venue 24 years ago.
The world No.1-ranked Proteas doused the hosts’ disappointing bowling attack to be 2-255 when bad light stopped play with eight overs remaining on Friday afternoon.
High-class duo Hashim Amla (90 not out) and Jacques Kallis (84 not out) were in commanding form for South Africa with an unbeaten stand of 136 but opener Alviro Petersen (64) also impressed in front of a record non-Ashes crowd of 25,114.
In worrying signs for the rest of the heavyweight series, Australia’s pacemen failed to deliver on the pre-match talk from captain Michael Clarke who promised to rough up the tourists’ high-quality batting line-up.
Young tearaway James Pattinson was the only quick to taste some success on a forgettable day, trapping Graeme Smith (10) leg before in the opening hour.
Also tormenting the home side was a series of near misses with Kallis caught off a Peter Siddle no-ball when he was 43 before Siddle then dropped a sharp return catch from Amla on 74.
They also burnt the second and last of their umpire referrals just after lunch when Petersen was fortunate not to be given out leg before to a Ben Hilfenhaus yorker that struck him marginally outside the line.
Not since Allan Border’s men were routed for 167 by the West Indies in 1988 have Australia finished in such a poor position on day one at a ground considered their fortress.
South African skipper Smith won the toss and had no hesitation in batting despite a greenish pitch and overcast conditions.
Where the Proteas did surprise was by dropping legspinner Imran Tahir and playing a four-pronged pace attack, including the uncapped Rory Kleinveldt whose career was in limbo eight months ago when he admitted to marijuana use.
Clarke said he would have also batted first but didn’t mind the prospect of exploiting the moisture in the wicket – it never eventuated as his bowlers struggled to find their line and length and build pressure.
Australia kept the faith in their under-pressure offspinner Nathan Lyon, making left-arm quick Mitchell Starc 12th man, and the South Australian held his nerve despite being targeted by the tourists.
Lyon went for five runs an over but did chip in by having Petersen caught at deep mid-on when he slashed across the line.