Aiden Markram batted through the morning session with 69 not out off 200 balls, but Australia closed in on victory in Durban as South Africa stumbled to 166 for 6 chasing a record 421.
Aiden Markram batted through the entire morning session of the final day, but it may not be enough to save South Africa. The opener was unbeaten on 69 from 200 balls at lunch, with the hosts 166 for 6 chasing a record 421 to beat Australia in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st Test, Australia in South Africa 2026-27, Kingsmead, Durban, 9 to 13 October 2026 (ICC World Test Championship) |
| Scores | Australia 390 & 314/6d; South Africa 284 & 166/6 at lunch on day 5 |
| Target | 421, a record chase in Test history, needing 255 more at lunch |
| The stand | Markram and Wiaan Mulder added 69 for the fifth wicket |
| The bowling | Josh Hazlewood 3-39 at lunch, with Mulder strangled down the leg side |
| The comeback | Steven Smith took the field after passing concussion tests following his helmet blow |
A chase running out of road
The chase was in trouble before the final morning began. Set 421 in the final session of day four, South Africa lost four wickets before stumps and closed on 102 for 4, still needing 319. Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton for 2, caught behind, and trapped David Bedingham lbw for 46. Matt Renshaw took his maiden Test wicket when captain Temba Bavuma edged to short leg for 1, and Pat Cummins dismissed Tristan Stubbs for 1, caught behind.
Markram stands alone
Markram's resistance gave South Africa a morning to hope. He and Mulder added 69 for the fifth wicket, with Mulder stonewalling for 110 balls, until Mulder was strangled down the leg side to Hazlewood, the quick's third wicket of the innings. When Kyle Verreynne edged Renshaw to Smith, who was back on the field after passing his concussion tests, South Africa were six down and Australia were one strong session from victory.
How Australia got here
Renshaw's match has been remarkable: 190 in the first innings and 82 off 99 balls in the second. With the lead beyond 350, captain Pat Cummins went into overdrive with 32 not out off 12 balls, including four sixes, and Beau Webster finished 39 not out off 43. The declaration came at 314 for 6, with Australia's overall lead at 420 and South Africa set 421.
The story comes from ESPNcricinfo (Tristan Lavalette), cross-checked against day-four and day-five reporting. Read the full piece on ESPNcricinfo. ESPNcricinfo.
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