Archive · 10 Oct 2026
South Africa Pacers Restrict Australia to 187 for Six in Durban
Australia batted first in the opening Test against South Africa in Durban.
South Africa’s fast bowlers took wickets and brought Australia to 124 runs for six wickets.
Anrich Nortje took two wickets in his return to Test cricket.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith had earlier put on 60 runs together.
Matt Renshaw and captain Pat Cummins then helped Australia recover.
Renshaw had 46 runs and Cummins had 33, and neither was out.
Their partnership added 63 runs for the seventh wicket.
Rain and poor light stopped play after 65.2 overs, with Australia on 187 for six.
Australia chose to bat and reached 187/6 in 65.2 overs on the first day of the first Test at Kingsmead.
Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Anrich Nortje took two wickets each; Nortje was playing his first Test since March 2023.
Marnus Labuschagne scored 37 and Steve Smith 25 in a 60-run partnership before both were dismissed around lunch.
After Australia slipped to 124/6, Matt Renshaw (46 not out) and Pat Cummins (33 not out) added an unbeaten 63 for the seventh wicket.
Bad light and light rain shortened play; Australia were due to resume batting on Saturday.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa’s men’s Test teams; South Africa’s main wicket-takers were Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder.
- What
- Australia finished the first day at 187/6 after choosing to bat.
- When
- Friday; play was scheduled to resume early Saturday.
- Where
- Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- South Africa’s seamers took six wickets, while bad light and light rain brought the day to an early end.
South Africa’s bowling
Australia’s recovery
Momentum in the innings
South Africa’s bowling
Jansen, Mulder and Nortje took two wickets each, reducing Australia to 124/6.
Australia’s recovery
Renshaw and Cummins remained unbeaten and added 63 runs to take Australia to 187/6.
- Match
- First Test; opening day
- Venue
- Kingsmead, Durban
- Australia score
- 187/6 in 65.2 overs
- Top scorer
- Matt Renshaw: 46 not out off 115 balls
- Seventh-wicket partnership
- 63 not out between Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins
- South Africa wicket-takers
- Anrich Nortje 2/40, Marco Jansen 2/35, Wiaan Mulder 2/31
- Nortje’s return
- First Test since March 2023
- End of play
- Bad light and light rain curtailed the day
