Australia clinched a convincing 214-run win over South Africa in the first Test of their three-match series to take a 1-0 lead.
Australia went into the final day in Durban requiring six more wickets for victory, and South Africa a hugely unlikely 319 further runs to win, and though the visitors encountered some resistance from Aiden Markram (75) in particular, they eventually wrapped things up shortly after lunch.
Josh Hazlewood (6-49) took four of the wickets to fall to finish with career-best figures, including the opening breakthrough of Wiaan Mulder (29) – caught down the legside – to end his and Markram’s 69-run stand that offered South Africa some brief hope of clinging on for a draw.
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Nathan Lyon keeps the Australia superstition alive as he switches the bails – and South Africa lose two quick wickets on day five of the first Test in Durban
Kyle Verreynne would depart just three balls later, out to Player of the Match and part-time spinner Matt Renshaw (2-30), but the collapse was delayed until the other side of lunch as Markram found further support in Marco Jansen (35).
The pair put on 45 for the seventh wicket until Hazlewood’s return, with the second new ball in hand, signalled the end of South Africa’s resistance as he removed Jansen and Simon Harmer, for a duck, in the same over.
Jansen was bowled through the gate by a devastating nip-backer, a delivery that was bettered only by the vicious bouncer that did for Harmer third ball – gloved to Alex Carey.
Marco Jansen was bowled by Josh Hazlewood as Australia closed in on victory in Durban
Markram’s 237-ball stay at the crease would then be ended by Mitchell Starc (1-33) – out on review, inside-edging behind – as South Africa lost their final four wickets for five runs in litte more than two overs, Hazlewood fittingly wrapping things up with the dismissal of Anrich Nortje.
Renshaw claimed Player of the Match honours due to his magnificent 190 that rescued Australia from 124-6 on day one, as they were eventually bowled out for 390 and secured a 106-run first innings lead. He’d add 82 in the second innings.
Matt Renshaw (left) added two second-innings wickets to his 190 and 82 with the bat in Australia’s impressive first-Test win in Durban
South Africa will hope to have pace attack spearhead Kagiso Rabada back for the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on Sunday live on Sky Sports, after he missed the series opener due to his ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in June.
Cummins: Win was built on Renshaw hundred
Australia captain Pat Cummins:
“It was a great win. A lot of it was built on what Matt Renshaw did on day one, and we managed to hold onto that lead for the rest of it.
“Everywhere I look [with the bowling attack], there’s a lot of Test wickets there – even our part-timers are better than that. I’ve got loads of options and Hazlewood is just a captain’s dream.
“Two games left, anything can still happen, but being ahead in the series always makes things a little easier.”
Bavuma: Don’t let Australia lead from the front
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma:
“It’s not the way we wanted to start. You’ve got to give it to the Australians and the way they dominated the majority of the game.
“The way they got stuck into us, even after they were 124-6 [in the first innings], they showed their experience, showed their skills and got themselves into a very competitive position.
“For a lot of us who have the experience of playing against them, you don’t want to give them that opportunity to lead from the front.
“There’s a lot of questions and conversations we’ll need to have – we can learn from them on a batting and bowling point view – but you’ve got to give it to them in terms of their performance.”
Watch day one of the second Test between South Africa and Australia, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 8am, Sunday (first ball 9am). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW
