Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Australia Names Its Oldest-Ever Test XI Against South Africa
Australia played South Africa in the first Test in Durban.
Every Australian player in the starting team was at least 30 years old.
The article says this had never happened in Australia’s 149-year Test history.
Nathan Lyon was the oldest player at 38, and Matthew Renshaw was the youngest at 30.
Australia won the toss and chose to bat.
They lost wickets early and were 24 runs for two wickets.
By the time bad light stopped play, Australia had scored 187 runs and lost six wickets.
Renshaw and captain Pat Cummins were still batting when play ended.
Australia fielded a Test XI in which all 11 players were aged 30 or older, a first in the team’s 149-year history.
Statistician Ric Finlay described the side as the oldest Australian Test team in 100 years and the seventh-oldest overall in Test history.
Nathan Lyon, 38, was the oldest player; Matthew Renshaw, 30, was the youngest.
After choosing to bat in Durban, Australia reached 187/6 in 65.2 overs before bad light stopped play on day one.
Renshaw was unbeaten on 46 and captain Pat Cummins on 33 at stumps.
- Who
- The Australia men's cricket team and South Africa's men's team.
- What
- Australia named an XI with all 11 players aged 30 or older and reached 187/6 on day one of the first Test.
- When
- Friday, the first day of the first Test; the article gives no calendar date.
- Where
- Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Australia's XI had no players in their 20s, making it the oldest-ever Australian Test XI according to the article.
- Australia score
- 187/6 in 65.2 overs at stumps
- Toss
- Australia won and chose to bat
- Oldest player
- Nathan Lyon, 38
- Youngest player in XI
- Matthew Renshaw, 30
- Unbeaten at stumps
- Matthew Renshaw, 46; Pat Cummins, 33
- Squad average age
- Approximately 32.6
- Reason play ended
- Bad light