In winning the first Test match by an innings and 114 runs, the Australians had all the luck of weather and wicket. However, they put themselves in an almost impregnable position on the first day when, with only six men out, they scored 494 runs, their settled policy of hitting the South African slow bowlers meeting with triumphant success. Bardsley and Hill put on 224 for the second wicket in rather less then two hours, both playing most brilliantly. Bardsley hit sixteen 4s and Hill eighteen, the latter's great innings of 191 lasting just over three hours and twenty minutes. On the second day Australia's innings closed for 528, and then South Africa had a dismal experience. In a failing light they lost four wickets for 38 runs and, after rain had caused a delay of one hour and three-quarters, the seventh wicket fell at 49. No one except Faulkner could cope with Cotter's tremendous pace. However, Faulkner at last found a capable partner in Schwarz and at the end of the day, the score without further loss had reached 140. Not a ball could be bowled on Monday, and on Tuesday play was restricted to less than a quarter of an hour. The wicket recovered from its drenching in a remarkable fashion, but the South Africans could only delay an inevitable defeat.