Australia moved to the brink of victory in the opening Test in Durban after leaving South Africa needing 421 runs following a commanding batting display on the fourth day. Armed with a 106-run first-innings advantage, the tourists increased their grip on the match as Matt Renshaw contributed 82 runs and the middle order played with aggressive intent.
Opening batter Nic Maddinson carried forward his positive momentum from the previous evening. Despite Travis Head falling early to Marco Jansen, Maddinson struck boundaries against Jansen and Simon Harmer before Anrich Nortje dismissed him for 48 off 38 deliveries with a precise yorker. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then added a brisk 50-run stand, though Smith soon fell after taking a blow to his helmet from Nortje, which also kept him off the field for the subsequent innings. Labuschagne was dismissed shortly after by Keshav Maharaj, leaving Australia to navigate four morning wickets while extending their lead by 141 runs. Sending him back for a 38-ball 48, it took an exceptional yorker from Anrich Nortje to take out the counter-attacking opener. And failed, that perhaps could’ve gone on longer if Smith hadn’t tried his luck at clearing the tall frame of Jansen at long-on with a big hit.
Renshaw stabilized the innings in the afternoon session, partnering with Alex Carey for 48 runs and Beau Webster for 65 runs as the scoring rate accelerated. Following Carey’s dismissal off Nortje, Renshaw and Webster added 65 runs in just 71 balls. Renshaw eventually fell for 82 off 99 balls to a sharp caught-and-bowled effort by Maharaj. Captain Pat Cummins then unleashed an explosive unbeaten knock of 32 from only 12 deliveries, striking four sixes as Australia amassed 140 runs in 22 overs before declaring at 314 for 6. For a change, bad light didn’t come in the way of the final session and Australia made more merry.
Faced with a daunting target, South Africa lost early wickets as Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton. Aiden Markram and David Bedingham offered stubborn resistance through a 20-over partnership against tight bowling and sharp turn from Nathan Lyon. Hazlewood eventually broke through by trapping Bedingham leg before wicket for 46. Renshaw then claimed the wicket of Temba Bavuma via a catch at forward short leg, and Cummins dismissed Tristan Stubbs with a full delivery after softening him up with short balls. Wiaan Mulder joined Markram, who finished unbeaten on 45, to steer the hosts to 102 for 4 at stumps, leaving them facing a monumental task on the final day. When play eventually ended, South Africa lost two more wickets and seemed out of sorts heading into the final day. Putting further daylight between Temba Bavuma’s side and a favourable result, they laid into South Africa bowlers to swell that number over the course of the day. Who started with a four and threw his bat around under fading light on Day 3, came out with similar intentions on Day 4, opener Nic Maddinson.
Brief scores: Australia 390 and 314/6 decl. lead South Africa 284 and 102/4 by 319 runs.
