Anrich Nortje took two wickets in three balls on his Test return, and Australia were 187 for 6 in 65.2 overs when bad light ended day one at Kingsmead.
ESPNcricinfo reported on Friday 9 October 2026 that Australia were 187 for 6 at stumps on day one of the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Australia won the toss and chose to bat, but bad light stopped play 50 minutes into the final session, so only 65.2 overs were bowled. Matt Renshaw was 46 not out and Pat Cummins 33 not out, after Australia had slipped to 124 for 6.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa v Australia, 1st Test, Kingsmead, Durban, 9-13 October 2026, Australia tour of South Africa, World Test Championship |
| Toss | Australia won the toss and chose to bat |
| Stumps, day one | Australia 187 for 6 in 65.2 overs, play ended early because of bad light |
| Not out | Matt Renshaw 46 off 115 balls, Pat Cummins 33 off 72 balls, an unbroken 63-run seventh-wicket partnership |
| Bowling | Marco Jansen 2 for 35, Wiaan Mulder 2 for 31, Anrich Nortje 2 wickets; Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer wicketless in 21 overs combined |
Nortje strikes twice in an over
All six wickets fell to pace. Anrich Nortje, playing his first Test in three and a half years, dismissed Alex Carey, who edged to Aiden Markram in the slips, and Beau Webster, who feathered an edge and was given out on review. The two wickets came in three balls, and Australia were 149 for 6 at tea. Marco Jansen finished with 2 for 35 and Wiaan Mulder with 2 for 31, while the spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer went wicketless in 21 overs combined.
Marnus Labuschagne made 37 and Steve Smith 25, and the pair added 60 together. Travis Head made 9, Carey 14 and Webster 4. Nic Maddinson, recalled after almost a decade since his previous Tests, scored 0 off 33 balls across 50 minutes.
Renshaw and Cummins hold on, and the two XIs
Renshaw and Cummins ended the day unbroken, adding 63 for the seventh wicket. South Africa are playing their first Test in almost a year, and Kagiso Rabada was not risked and is missing this Test. Australia's XI are all aged 30 and above, with Cameron Green ruled out injured and Cooper Connolly ill.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje. Australia: Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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