Kyle Verreynne admits Proteas batters have to 'be better' after disaster start in Australia

Kyle Verreynne admitted that the Proteas batters were disappointed with the application on day one of the first Test in Australia but backed the bowlers to keep them in the contest.

The South Africa wicketkeeper-batter top-scored with a valiant 64 off 96 balls but the tourists were bowled out for just 152 in Brisbane on Saturday.

The fearsome Proteas bowling attack then reduced the home team to 145-5 at the close with the Australia trailing by just seven runs.

After being put into bat at the toss, the visitors were rocked early as they slipped to 27-4 before Verreynne shared a 98-run partnership with Temba Bavuma (38) to bring some sort of relief.

The Proteas' batting woes is a long-standing issue in Test cricket with the bowlers often digging the side out of trouble and Verreynne was questioned after the day's play about how the batters were feeling.

"I think the initial feeling is probably disappointment, but then you look around in the change room and see our four quicks and our spinners," Verreynne told reporters.

"I think everyone sort of gets excited again and think: 'Well, we've got 150 on the board that might actually be enough with what we've got in the change room'.

"I think that's sort of the space that we're in at the moment. That's the approach we're looking to take," he continued.

"As batters, we need to be better, but I think with our bowling line-up that we have, to be honest, any score that we get there's a bit of belief that our bowlers can do a job with what's on the board." 

The Proteas know they will need quick wickets early on the second day and get rid of the dangerous Travis Head (78 not out) if they are to have any chance in the contest.

The Aussies were struggling on 27-3 but a 117-run partnership between Steve Smith and Head saw the hosts take control before two strikes late in day gave the Proteas hope.

"We're probably still a bit behind the game, but those two wickets bring us back into it a little bit," Verreynne said.

"There's a window open for us now... If we start off well, I think we are in with a chance of setting something up in this game, hopefully."