PRETORIA — Late call-up Shaun Marsh scored an unbeaten century in his first test in two years to lead a middle-order recovery as Australia closed at 297 for four on the first day of the first Test against South Africa Wednesday. Marsh, who arrived only Sunday as an emergency replacement for the injured Shane Watson, was on 122 not out from 232 balls, and will resume at SuperSport Park Thursday with Steven Smith, unbeaten on 91. The pair put on an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 199 to steady the tourists, who had been 98-4 just after lunch. Marsh, beset by injury problems and a lack of runs over the past year, was something of a gamble by the Australian selectors, but after offering a difficult catch on 12, he saw off South Africa's vaunted attack on a piping hot day. It was his second Test century, after his first on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011. Smith provided ample backing, matching Marsh with 12 fours in his innings. “It took the rest of us a week to get over the jet lag, so it must have been hard for him being here only three days,” Smith said of Marsh's effort. “He was amazing all day, he let the ball come into his areas and then capitalized on it. “We knew it would be tough initially but it has turned into a good wicket and there are now a couple of cracks developing. So we will want to get a big first-innings total and then hope the cracks begin to play a part in the game.” The pair pushed the run rate up considerably after an uneasy start for the tourists, who were 83 for three at lunch and then lost captain Michael Clarke soon after. Clarke was caught at deep fine leg off a short delivery from Dale Steyn for 23 as the much-anticipated clash between the highly rated batsman and bowler went Steyn's way. But it was one of few highlights for the quicks on a fast track. Early on it looked as if South African captain Graeme Smith had made the right decision by asking Australia to bat, but by the end of the day that was in the balance. He had admitted at the toss he was uncertain. After a fast start from Australia, South Africa removed both openers quickly to leave the tourists on 24-2. First David Warner (12) chopped a Steyn delivery on to his stumps, before Chris Rogers (four) was brilliantly caught by a diving JP Duminy at short leg off a rising Morne Morkel ball that rapped him on the gloves. Debutant Alex Doolan (27) was out 15 minutes before lunch, caught at mid-wicket by Robin Peterson as he tried to pull Ryan McLaren to the on-side. South Africa's best bowling return came from Steyn, with two wickets for 54. Finch signs for Yorkshire Australia's hard-hitting opening batsman Aaron Finch has signed a deal to play for Yorkshire in this year's English county season. One of the top Twenty20 batsmen in the world, Finch, will join the team in May after his Indian Premier League commitments are over and is slated to be a big draw in the T20 Blast that is scheduled on Fridays from May to July. Finch, who scored handsomely against England in their recent limited-overs series, credited Australia coach Darren Lehmann for helping him make up his mind. “When I heard Yorkshire was interested in signing me, I had no hesitation in signing,” the 27-year-old told the club's website. “I had a good chat with Darren Lehmann and he recommended that I joined the club. He can't speak highly enough of the place and Yorkshire's loyal supporters. “I hope to play in all formats whilst I'm at the club and even though the T20 season will be very exciting, I'm looking forward to testing myself in red ball cricket too.” — Agencies Scoreboard Australia (1st innings) C. Rogers c Duminy b Morkel 04 D. Warner b Steyn 12 A. Doolan c Peterson b McLaren 27 S. Marsh not out 122 M. Clarke c Philander b Steyn 23 S. Smith not out 91 Extras (b4, lb7, nb1, w6) 18 Total (4 wkts, 90 overs) 297 Falls: 1-15 (Warner), 2-24 (Rogers), 3-72 (Doolan), 4-98 (Clarke). Bowling: Steyn 20-4-54-2, Philander 16-2-55-0, Morkel 18-5-56-1 (1w), McLaren 16-4-53-1 (1nb, 1w), Peterson 10-0-34-0, Duminy 10-1-34-0. To bat: B. Haddin, M. Johnson, R. Harris, P. Siddle, N. Lyon. South Africa: G. Smith, A. Petersen, H. Amla, F. du Plessis, A. de Villiers, J. Duminy, R. Peterson, R. McLaren or W. Parnell, V. Philander, D. Steyn, M. Morkel.
