Australia were 84 for 3 at lunch on day one of the first Test at Kingsmead, with Wiaan Mulder removing Marnus Labuschagne lbw off the last ball of the session.
ESPNcricinfo reported on Friday 9 October 2026 that South Africa won the morning of the World Test Championship final rematch at Kingsmead. At lunch on day one, Australia were 84 for 3 after 26 overs, with Steven Smith unbeaten on 25 off 50 balls. Wiaan Mulder took the final wicket of the session with the last ball before the break.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa v Australia, 1st Test, Kingsmead, Durban, 9-13 October 2026 (day 1) |
| Toss | Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat |
| Score at lunch | Australia 84 for 3 after 26 overs |
| Wickets | Nic Maddinson 0, Travis Head 9, Marnus Labuschagne 37 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 2 for 17 in 8 overs |
| Steven Smith | 25 not out off 50 balls |
The openers' morning
Maddinson, opening in his first Test since 2016, was out for 0 off 33 balls. He had earlier survived an lbw shout against Mulder that South Africa did not review. He was then bowled by Marco Jansen, when a thick inside edge from an attempted cut knocked back his off stump.
Head made 9 before he was strangled down the leg side off Mulder and caught by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. He was given out on review. South Africa's attack had Anrich Nortje back in a Test for the first time in three and a half years, with Kagiso Rabada missing out through a hamstring strain, and the hosts picked two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.
The Labuschagne and Smith stand, then the last-ball blow
Labuschagne and Smith steadied Australia with a third-wicket stand of 60. Labuschagne made 37 off 58 balls with 6 fours, while Smith counter-attacked Maharaj with two sixes.
The partnership ended on the last ball before lunch, when Mulder trapped Labuschagne lbw. Labuschagne reviewed, but the decision stood. This is the score at lunch on day one, with the rest of the day still to play.
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