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South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Oct 9, 2026: commentary

South Africa v Australia Test Series1st Test
South Africa
284 & 206390 & 314FT
Australia
Innings
Australia390137.2 ov
South Africa28478.0 ov
Australia314/658.0 ov
South Africa20686.5 ov

Australia win by 214 runs

Result

Australia win by 214 runs

AUS 1ST390/10137.2
SAF 1ST284/1078.0
AUS 2ND314/658.0
SAF 2ND206/1086.5

What the reporting says

  • Rabada, Ngidi, Baartman and Maphaka are all ruled out of the series as South Africa lost four fast bowlers to hamstring injuries.

    ESPNcricinfo

  • Alex Carey has not passed fifty in 11 innings, his last coming against South Africa in Mackay last year.

    ESPNcricinfo

  • Pat Cummins misses the first match, so Mitchell Marsh is expected to captain Australia with Starc leading the attack.

    ESPNcricinfo

  • Rain disrupted training in Durban earlier in the week, but Thursday's forecast is dry, warm and windy.

    ESPNcricinfo

  • Pat Cummins was rested for this ODI, with Jack Edwards given his first ODI cap.

    ESPNcricinfo

  • Cameron Green returned after a shoulder concern kept him out of the whole Zimbabwe series, replacing Alex Carey.

    ESPNcricinfo

Facts taken from the stories linked beside them, each from a sentence in the original.

SAF 2ND

  1. 86.5

    Over 87. 5 runs. Bowler: Josh Hazlewood. South Africa: 206/10(rr 2.37)

  2. 86.5

    OUT! Caught. Josh Hazlewood to Anrich Nortje. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid wicket, caught by Lyon. That's it! Australia clean up the tail in the blink of an eye with the second new ball to seal a thumping 214-run victory over South Africa in the first Test in Durban! A commanding performance from the visiting Aussies. Matt Renshaw starred with a century and a half-century, while Josh Hazlewood produced career-best bowling figures in the fourth innings to put the finishing touches on a memorable victory. Aiden Markram fought valiantly, carrying the hopes of his side on his shoulders with a magnificent knock. He gave it everything he had, but unfortunately, his heroic effort wasn't enough to save South Africa from defeat. Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series with a thoroughly dominant display. What a statement from the Aussies. It's a first loss as Test captain for Bavuma. He will be hoping they come back strongly in the next game. Matt Renshaw is the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.

  3. 86.4

    FOUR! Josh Hazlewood to Anrich Nortje. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge past third man for 4 runs.

  4. 86.3

    Josh Hazlewood to Anrich Nortje. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to short leg for no runs, fielded by Head.

  5. 86.2

    Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, outside edge to gully for 1 run, fielded by Renshaw.

  6. 86.1

    Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot driving, Played to cover for no runs, fielded by Maddinson.

  7. 86.0

    Over 86. no runs. Bowler: Mitchell Starc. South Africa: 201/9(rr 2.34)

  8. 85.6

    Mitchell Starc to Anrich Nortje. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, left for no runs, fielded by Carey.

  9. 85.5

    OUT! Caught. Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, hit pad, caught by Carey. What a knock from Aiden Markram! A heroic effort comes to an end.

  10. 85.4

    Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Leave, left for no runs, fielded by Carey.

  11. 85.3

    Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Leave, left for no runs, fielded by Carey.

  12. 85.2

    Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Leave, left for no runs, fielded by Carey.

  13. 85.1

    Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Length ball, off stump on the front foot defending, thick edge to gully for no runs, fielded by Renshaw.

  14. 85.0

    Over 85. no runs. Bowler: Josh Hazlewood. South Africa: 201/8(rr 2.36)

  15. 84.6

    Josh Hazlewood to Keshav Maharaj. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot defending, Played to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Cummins.

  16. 84.5

    OUT! Caught. Josh Hazlewood to Simon Harmer. Back of a length, outside off stump swayed away Fended, Gloved, caught by Carey. Five-wicket haul for Josh Hazlewood!

  17. 84.4

    Josh Hazlewood to Simon Harmer. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Leave, left for no runs, fielded by Carey.

  18. 84.3

    Josh Hazlewood to Simon Harmer. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, Played to point for no runs, fielded by Maddinson.

  19. 84.2

    OUT! Bowled. Josh Hazlewood to Marco Jansen. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed. Dream delivery for the fast bowler!

  20. 84.1

    Josh Hazlewood to Marco Jansen. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, thick edge to gully for no runs, fielded by Renshaw.

  21. 67.1

    OUT! Caught. Matt Renshaw to Kyle Verreynne. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot driving, outside edge to first slip, caught by Smith. Edged and taken in the slip cordon!

  22. 66.4

    OUT! Caught. Josh Hazlewood to Wiaan Mulder. Reverse Swing-In length ball, middle stump on the front foot glancing, inside edge, caught by Carey. Great grab from Alex Carey.

  23. 32.4

    OUT! Caught. Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge, caught by Carey. Proper Test match bowling from Pat Cummins!

  24. 29.5

    OUT! Caught. Matt Renshaw to Temba Bavuma. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot defending, inside edge to short leg, caught by Maddinson. Maiden test wicket for Matt Renshaw!

  25. 22.6

    OUT! L.B.W. Josh Hazlewood to David Bedingham. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, hit pad. Plumb in front!

  26. 3.3

    OUT! Caught. Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot pulling, top edge, caught by Carey. Nicked and taken!

AUS 2ND

  1. 58.0

    Over 58. 23 runs. Bowler: Simon Harmer. Australia: 314/6(rr 5.41)

  2. 57.6

    FOUR! Simon Harmer to Beau Webster. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, well timed past deep backward point for 4 runs. A brief cameo from Australia captain Pat Cummins and he decides it's time to declare and that brings us to Tea on Day 4, South Africa set a target of 421 runs. Matt Renshaw proved his class once against with a fine 82, as Australia accelerated their scoring rate after lunch. Andrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj picked up two wickets each, but it was hard toil for the hosts bowlers. They now face a record target, or having to bat four sessions to save the game. Join us in 20 minutes for the start of the final innings.

  3. 57.5

    Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed to square leg for 1 run, fielded by Nortje.

  4. 57.4

    SIX! Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over long on for 6 runs.

  5. 57.3

    Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, missed for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.

  6. 57.2

    SIX! Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, down leg side on the back foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep backward square leg for 6 runs, dropped catch by Stubbs.

  7. 57.1

    SIX! Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs.

  8. 57.0

    Over 57. 10 runs. Bowler: Keshav Maharaj. Australia: 291/6(rr 5.11)

  9. 56.6

    FOUR! Keshav Maharaj to Beau Webster. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control past deep extra cover for 4 runs.

  10. 56.5

    Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Stock ball half volley, off stump on the front foot Slog, Played in the air under control to long on for 1 run, fielded by Jansen.

  11. 56.4

    Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Stock length ball, to leg on the front foot reverse sweeping, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward point for 2 runs, dropped catch by Bedingham.

  12. 56.3

    Keshav Maharaj to Beau Webster. Stock ball half volley, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Nortje.

  13. 56.2

    Keshav Maharaj to Pat Cummins. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off for 1 run, fielded by Stubbs.

  14. 56.1

    Keshav Maharaj to Beau Webster. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot working, Played to mid wicket for 1 run.

  15. 56.0

    Over 56. 11 runs. Bowler: Simon Harmer. Australia: 281/6(rr 5.02)

  16. 55.6

    SIX! Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs.

  17. 55.5

    Simon Harmer to Beau Webster. Off break half volley, outside off stump on the front foot sweeping, Played to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Stubbs.

  18. 55.4

    Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot slog sweeping, Played to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Stubbs.

  19. 55.3

    Simon Harmer to Pat Cummins. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Scoop, Played to fine leg for 2 runs, fielded by Stubbs.

  20. 55.2

    Simon Harmer to Beau Webster. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Bedingham.

  21. 54.5

    OUT! Caught & Bowled. Keshav Maharaj to Matt Renshaw. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed back to bowler, caught by Maharaj. One of the best catches.

  22. 42.6

    OUT! Bowled. Anrich Nortje to Alex Carey. Length ball, off stump on the front foot driving, inside edge. Dragged on!

  23. 28.6

    OUT! Caught. Keshav Maharaj to Marnus Labuschagne. Stock ball half volley, off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short extra cover, caught by Bavuma. Much-needed breakthrough for the Proteas.

  24. 23.5

    OUT! Caught. Simon Harmer to Steve Smith. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Jansen. This time Harmer gets his man!

  25. 10.6

    OUT! Bowled. Anrich Nortje to Nic Maddinson. In-swinging yorker, middle stump on the front foot driving, missed. That's a screamer from Anrich Notrje.

  26. 6.6

    OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Travis Head. Out-swinging length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid on, caught by Bavuma. First wicket for the Aussies!

SAF 1ST

  1. 78.0

    Over 78. 3 runs. Bowler: Beau Webster. South Africa: 284/10(rr 3.64)

  2. 77.6

    OUT! Caught. Beau Webster to Anrich Nortje. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, outside edge to first slip, caught by Smith. Australia lead by 106 runs and will look to build on that advantage to set a huge target for the home side. South Africa were bowled out for 284, with David Bedingham top-scoring with 49. The lower order showed some resistance, as Simon Harmer scored 35, Keshav Maharaj added 34, and Marco Jansen contributed 26. Mitchell Starc starred with the ball, claiming four wickets, while Pat Cummins picked up three. Do join us for Australia's innings!

  3. 77.5

    Beau Webster to Simon Harmer. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to square leg for 1 run, fielded by Maddinson.

  4. 77.4

    Beau Webster to Simon Harmer. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to silly mid off for no runs.

  5. 77.3

    Beau Webster to Simon Harmer. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played back to bowler for no runs.

  6. 77.2

    Beau Webster to Simon Harmer. Length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, Played to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, fielded by Maddinson.

  7. 77.1

    Beau Webster to Simon Harmer. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played to mid on for no runs, fielded by Starc.

  8. 77.0

    Over 77. 4 runs. Bowler: Nathan Lyon. South Africa: 281/9(rr 3.65)

  9. 76.6

    Nathan Lyon to Anrich Nortje. Off break length ball, to leg on the front foot defending, Played to point for no runs, fielded by Labuschagne.

  10. 76.5

    Nathan Lyon to Anrich Nortje. Off break length ball, off stump on the front foot defending, Played back to bowler for no runs.

  11. 76.4

    Nathan Lyon to Anrich Nortje. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played back to bowler for no runs.

  12. 76.3

    Nathan Lyon to Anrich Nortje. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot defending, Missed (Leg Side) to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Head.

  13. 76.2

    FOUR! Nathan Lyon to Anrich Nortje. Off break half volley, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past deep cover for 4 runs.

  14. 76.1

    Nathan Lyon to Anrich Nortje. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Labuschagne.

  15. 76.0

    Over 76. 5 runs. Bowler: Mitchell Starc. South Africa: 277/9(rr 3.64)

  16. 75.6

    Mitchell Starc to Simon Harmer. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, Played to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Lyon.

  17. 75.5

    Mitchell Starc to Simon Harmer. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played to silly mid on for no runs.

  18. 75.4

    Mitchell Starc to Anrich Nortje. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Head.

  19. 75.3

    FOUR! Mitchell Starc to Anrich Nortje. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, thick edge past third man for 4 runs.

  20. 75.2

    Mitchell Starc to Anrich Nortje. Back of a length, wide outside off stump ducked Leave, left for no runs, fielded by Carey.

  21. 69.3

    OUT! Caught. Mitchell Starc to Keshav Maharaj. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to extra cover, caught by Cummins. Soft dismissal!

  22. 54.2

    OUT! Caught. Josh Hazlewood to Marco Jansen. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid off, caught by Head. The Aussies are on fire as the wickets continue to tumble!

  23. 53.5

    OUT! Caught. Nathan Lyon to Kyle Verreynne. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, Played in the air uncontrolled to first slip, caught by Smith. Stunning catch from Smith!

  24. 48.2

    OUT! Caught. Pat Cummins to Tristan Stubbs. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, top edge in the air uncontrolled to fine leg, caught by Hazlewood. The short ball ploy works!

  25. 46.3

    OUT! Caught (Sub). Pat Cummins to Wiaan Mulder. Short, wide outside off stump on the back foot Leave, top edge in the air uncontrolled to short mid wicket. Skipper strikes! Mulders is clueless.

  26. 30.1

    OUT! Caught. Pat Cummins to David Bedingham. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot driving, outside edge in the air uncontrolled to second slip, caught by Smith. Smudge takes another blinder! Bedingham misses out on a fifty.

  27. 27.2

    OUT! Caught. Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, mis-timed to first slip, caught by Smith. Sharp catch in the slip cordon!

  28. 20.4

    OUT! Caught. Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge to first slip, caught by Renshaw. Finally! Starc breaks the partnership.

  29. 1.3

    OUT! Caught. Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge to third slip, caught by Webster. South Africa lost their first wicket without any runs.

AUS 1ST

  1. 137.2

    Over 138. no runs. Bowler: Simon Harmer. Australia: 390/10(rr 2.83)

  2. 137.2

    OUT! Caught. Simon Harmer to Matt Renshaw. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge in the air uncontrolled to first slip, caught by Markram. With that wicket, Australia's innings comes to a close! Matt Renshaw is the star with the bat, producing a magnificent knock of 190 runs and providing a superb backbone to the Australian innings. Simon Harper finally gets his man to bring the innings to an end. Now, the focus shifts to the Proteas, who face the daunting task of chasing down this huge target. Can South Africa rise to the challenge?

  3. 137.1

    Simon Harmer to Matt Renshaw. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to deep mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Mulder.

  4. 137.0

    Over 137. 1 run. Bowler: Wiaan Mulder. Australia: 390/9(rr 2.85)

  5. 136.6

    Wiaan Mulder to Josh Hazlewood. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Bavuma. That's Tea on Day 2, as Australia continue to build their total and frustrate South Africa. Matt Renshaw led from the front, and he remains on a monumental unbeaten 190, with fine support from the lower order, including Nathan Lyon in a partnership worth 134 runs. The hosts bowlers struggling to find the breakthrough with Marco Jansen taking the only wicket of an extended session. Renshaw will be looking to complete a double century after the interval, whilst South Africa will want to claim the final wicket and get batting themselves, in what is set to be a crucial session.

  6. 136.5

    Wiaan Mulder to Matt Renshaw. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Bavuma.

  7. 136.4

    Wiaan Mulder to Matt Renshaw. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, inside edge to short fine leg for no runs, fielded by Verreynne.

  8. 136.3

    Wiaan Mulder to Matt Renshaw. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played back to bowler for no runs.

  9. 136.2

    Wiaan Mulder to Matt Renshaw. Length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, Played to deep backward square leg for no runs, fielded by Nortje.

  10. 136.1

    Wiaan Mulder to Matt Renshaw. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to long off for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.

  11. 136.0

    Over 136. 1 run. Bowler: Simon Harmer. Australia: 389/9(rr 2.86)

  12. 135.6

    Simon Harmer to Josh Hazlewood. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, Played to backward point for no runs.

  13. 135.5

    Simon Harmer to Matt Renshaw. Off break length ball, off stump on the back foot working, Played to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Nortje.

  14. 135.4

    Simon Harmer to Matt Renshaw. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, Played to long on for no runs.

  15. 135.3

    Simon Harmer to Matt Renshaw. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to deep mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Mulder.

  16. 135.2

    Simon Harmer to Matt Renshaw. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played to backward point for no runs, fielded by Markram.

  17. 135.1

    Simon Harmer to Matt Renshaw. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played to third man for no runs, fielded by Nortje.

  18. 135.0

    Over 135. 1 run. Bowler: Wiaan Mulder. Australia: 388/9(rr 2.87)

  19. 134.6

    Wiaan Mulder to Josh Hazlewood. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.

  20. 134.5

    Wiaan Mulder to Matt Renshaw. Length ball, wide outside off stump moves in front working, Played to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Harmer.

  21. 128.4

    OUT! L.B.W. Marco Jansen to Nathan Lyon. Reverse Swing-In yorker, outside off stump on the front foot flick, hit pad. Plumb in front.

  22. 81.3

    OUT! Bowled. Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Starc. Seaming away length ball, to leg on the front foot defending, missed. Absolute peach of a delivery!

  23. 73.5

    OUT! Caught. Wiaan Mulder to Pat Cummins. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, outside edge to second slip, caught by Markram. Skipper departs!

  24. 41.6

    OUT! Caught. Anrich Nortje to Beau Webster. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed, caught by Verreynne. A spike in the ultraedge! Two in the over for Anrich Nortje.

  25. 41.4

    OUT! Caught. Anrich Nortje to Alex Carey. Length ball, middle stump on the front foot driving, outside edge to second slip, caught by Markram. Edged and gone! Nortje joins the wicket column.

  26. 26.3

    OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Steve Smith. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot Steer, outside edge to fourth slip, caught by Mulder. Big price! Marco Jansen has his man.

  27. 25.6

    OUT! L.B.W. Wiaan Mulder to Marnus Labuschagne. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, hit pad. That will be Lunch on Day 1. South Africa made an early impact by removing the openers cheaply, with Wiann Mulder dismissing Travis Head. Nic Maddinson played solidly but struggled to score and ended up with a disappointing duck after facing 33 balls. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have since steadied the innings with a partnership of over 60 runs, which was broken just at the stroke of Lunch. Join us after the break for the second session.

  28. 10.2

    OUT! Bowled. Marco Jansen to Nic Maddinson. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, bottom edge. Nic Maddinson can't buy a run and he is out for a 33-ball duck.

  29. 7.5

    OUT! Caught. Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head. In-swinging length ball, down leg side on the front foot flick, hit pad, caught by Verreynne. Travis Head strangled down the leg side.