Renshaw and Cummins lead Australia fightback to 187-6 after Nortje, Jansen and Mulder strike in Durban
Australia were 124-6 on day one of the first Test at Kingsmead before Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins added an unbeaten 63. Bad light ended play early.
South Africa's seamers had the better of the first day of the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, 9 October. Australia were 124-6 before Matt Renshaw and captain Pat Cummins put on an unbeaten 63 for the seventh wicket. Bad light ended play with Australia on 187-6 after 65.2 overs. Renshaw was 46 not out and Cummins 33 not out.
Cummins bats first and Australia lose early wickets
Cummins won the toss and chose to bat in the first match of the series between the two sides who met in the last World Test Championship final. Kagiso Rabada was missing for South Africa, and Anrich Nortje was recalled. All three of South Africa's main seamers took wickets. The three of them shared the six wickets equally by the close, and none of South Africa's other bowlers took one.
Wiaan Mulder struck first. Travis Head was caught behind by Kyle Verreynne for 9 in the eighth over. Opener Nic Maddinson, playing his first Test since 2016, faced 33 balls without scoring before Marco Jansen bowled him. Australia were 24-2.
Labuschagne and Smith rebuild, then fall
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith added 60 for the third wicket. Labuschagne made 37 off 58 balls with six fours before Mulder trapped him lbw with the last ball before lunch. Australia reviewed but the decision stayed on umpire's call. Smith hit two sixes in his 25 off 53 balls before he was caught by Mulder off Jansen, and Australia were 84-4.
Renshaw and Alex Carey took the score to 120. Then Nortje removed Carey (14), caught by Aiden Markram, and Beau Webster (4), caught behind, to leave Australia 124-6.
Renshaw and Cummins hold firm
The seventh-wicket pair saw Australia through the rest of the day. At tea, after 53 overs, Renshaw was on 32 and Cummins on 9, and they kept going after the break. Renshaw had faced 115 balls for his 46 and Cummins 72 balls for his 33 when bad light stopped play at 3.23pm local time. That was 24.4 overs short of the scheduled 90.
Each of South Africa's seamers finished with two wickets: Jansen 2-35, Mulder 2-31 and Nortje 2-40.
Day two timing for Malaysian fans
Play in Durban is scheduled to start at 9.30am local time, which is 3.30pm in Malaysia, with lunch at 5.30pm and tea at 8.10pm Malaysia time. Stumps are due at 10.30pm Malaysia time, and up to 30 extra minutes can be added if overs are lost.
Australia have four wickets left to build on their total, while South Africa will look to break the Renshaw-Cummins stand early. The Test is scheduled to run from 9 to 13 October.
Key takeaways
- Australia closed day one in Durban on 187-6, with Renshaw 46* and Cummins 33*.
- The seventh-wicket pair added an unbeaten 63 after Australia slipped to 124-6.
- Jansen, Mulder and Nortje took two wickets each, and Maddinson made a 33-ball duck on his Test return.
- Day two starts at 3.30pm Malaysia time on Saturday, 10 October.
FAQ
What is the score in South Africa vs Australia first Test? At stumps on day one Australia were 187-6 after 65.2 overs, batting first in Durban.
Who took wickets for South Africa on day one? Marco Jansen (2-35), Wiaan Mulder (2-31) and Anrich Nortje (2-40) took two each.
What time does day two start in Malaysia? The scheduled start is 9.30am in Durban, which is 3.30pm Malaysia time.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Geo Super, NewsBytes, Magic 828, CricketNews.com