Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Australia hold a 139-run lead as Durban Test reaches Day 4
Australia begin the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban with a 139-run lead.
They are 33 without loss in their second innings, with Nic Maddinson and Travis Head batting.
South Africa were bowled out for 284, but their tailenders added useful runs on a pitch that has mostly stayed easy to bat on.
Australia must decide how many more runs to score before declaring, which ends their innings and gives South Africa a chance to bat.
Former Australia captain Alyssa Healy has advised them not to rush, warning that early wickets could let South Africa back into the match.
South Africa can still stay in the contest if they bowl Australia out and then chase the target.
Play on Day 4 will give Australia a closer look at the pitch and conditions before they decide their approach.
Australia held a 139-run lead over South Africa as Day 4 of the first Test began in Durban.
Australia had all ten second-innings wickets intact after reaching 33 without loss at stumps.
Nic Maddinson was unbeaten on 17 and Travis Head on 10.
South Africa had been bowled out for 284 in its first innings.
Former Australia captain Alyssa Healy urged Australia to bat sensibly and not rush toward a declaration.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa are playing in the first Test.
- What
- Australia began Day 4 with a 139-run lead and all ten second-innings wickets intact.
- When
- Day 4; the article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Kingsmead, Durban.
- Why
- South Africa was bowled out for 284, while Australia had reached 33 without loss in its second innings.
Australia
South Africa
Batting approach
Australia
Alyssa Healy urged Australia to bat sensibly and assess the conditions before deciding when to declare.
South Africa
Healy said South Africa could stay in the match by bowling Australia out.
No doubt that’ll (declaring) be at the back of their mind … (but) you can’t really think too far ahead.
The opportunity to keep themselves in this game is to bowl Australia out.
South Africa was bowled out for 284.
Australia was 33 without loss in its second innings, with Maddinson on 17 and Head on 10.
Australia began with a 139-run lead and all ten second-innings wickets intact.
- Australia’s lead
- 139 runs at the start of Day 4
- Australia’s second innings
- 33 without loss at stumps
- South Africa’s first innings
- 284 all out
- Venue
- Kingsmead, Durban
- Unbeaten batters
- Nic Maddinson 17; Travis Head 10
Sources
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