Fans troll Aussies after horror start against Proteas

Australia’s top order batsmen have been mercilessly trolled by fans after a horror start in the first ODI against South Africa in Perth.

The Proteas won the toss and chose to bowl in the hopes of exploiting their supreme pace bowling unit.

South African skipper Faf du Plessis’ decision paid immediate dividends as spearhead Dale Steyn went to work.

The veteran quick had Aussie opener Travis Head caught behind in the third over for one run, before striking again a couple of balls later.

Steyn’s second wicket to remove D’Arcy Short for a duck came courtesy of a sublime slips catch from the skipper.

Short’s thick outside edge saw du Plessis fling himself to the side, snaffling the catch with a superb diving effort.

Short only managed to face two deliveries before being sent back to the pavilion for a duck.

The nightmare for the hosts continued a few overs later with Aussie skipper Aaron Finch out LBW for five runs.

The new Australian skipper decided against reviewing the decision after seeking the opinion of batting partner Chris Lynn.

However, replays showed the Lungi Ngidi delivery would have sailed over the stumps.

Australia’s collapse didn’t end with Finch’s departure.

Lynn (15), Glenn Maxwell (11) and Marcus Stoinis (14) failed to steady the ship as Australia crashed to 6-66 in the 21st over.

Maxwell copped a painful blow to a finger on his right hand shortly before he was dismissed.

Alex Carey was the only recognised batsman to pass 20. He finished on 33 before being removed by Imran Tahir.

Australia’s tail wagged briefly with a handy innings from Nathan Coulter-Nile (34) and Mitchell Starc (12) helping the hosts reach 152 before being bowled out in the 39th over.

Short was rushed into the side in place of Shaun Marsh, who was ruled out of the match because of an abscess on his buttocks.

Marsh will undergo surgery, but hoped to play in Friday’s match in Adelaide.

Australia opted against picking a specialist spinner for Sunday’s match, with Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa missing out on selection.

Paceman Starc, who suffered a minor hamstring niggle during last month’s Test series against Pakistan, joined Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Coulter-Nile in a powerful pace attack.

“We would have bowled first a well. There’s a bit of grass on it,” Australian skipper Finch said after losing the toss.

Australia have lost 16 of their past 18 ODI matches, and face an uphill battle to turn that record around.

With AAP