Last Updated on 3 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in their highly-anticipated series against South Africa, winning the Durban Test by 214 runs. The Proteas fought hard in the first session on day five courtesy of Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder, but two quick wickets shortly before lunch was a hammer blow.
Marco Jansen was positive after the break, again raising hopes of South Africa getting to tea and bad light potentially coming into the equation in the final session. However, the timing of Australia’s declaration yesterday ensured they would get two new balls, and the second is what the match rested on.
Josh Hazlewood was outstanding, producing his best bowling figures in Tests. He looked threatening right throughout on a pretty good batting surface, getting the ball to move both in the air and off the surface. After breaking two important partnerships via the David Bedingham and Wiaan Mulder wickets, Hazlewood then dismissed Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer with superb deliveries to leave South Africa eight down.
The delivery to Harmer in particular was unplayable, rising sharply off a length to catch the glove through to Alex Carey.
Aiden Markram fell soon after, caught behind off Mitchell Starc for a fighting 237-ball 75; the only 50+ score by a South African in this match. Anrich Nortje was the final wicket to fall, giving Hazlewood career-best figures of 6/49.
However, the match belonged to Matt Renshaw. After scoring 272 runs across both innings, he took 2/30 off 13 overs, including the vital wicket of captain Temba Bavuma yesterday evening.
It marks an outstanding return to the Test team for the 30-year-old, which could prove to be a pivotal moment in his career. Australia were in all sorts of trouble at 124/6 on day one, with Renshaw’s marathon 397-ball 190 lifting the visitors to a strong total of 390.
“Pretty tired. Been a while since I played a five-day Test,” Renshaw said after the match. “Wanted to stay out as long as I could on day 1. Build partnerships with bowlers, had good allies [in Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon], and play as many balls as possible.”
Australia fans react to big win by Pat Cummins’ team in Durban
Two months ago, Australia suffered a shock loss to Bangladesh in Darwin, raising concerns as to how they will perform in a huge 12 months ahead. They have responded well since and have made an excellent start to the series.
Here are some of the reactions from Australian fans to the victory.
The second Test begins on Sunday at Gqeberha.
