Australia Nears Victory in First Test Against South Africa

The tourists have the wicket they craved, Wiaan Mulder (29 off 110 deliveries) tickling a glance down leg side off Josh Hazlewood, and well caught by a diving Alex Carey. Mulder’s dismissal leaves the Proteas on 5-155, and fighting to save this game, in the shadows of lunch.

Australia have a few other options they can try before the second new ball. Apart from Renshaw, there’s Travis Head’s off spin, Marnus Labuschagne’s leggies and even Nic Maddinson is capable of a few left-arm orthodox deliveries. Someone turning the ball away from the bat may be useful, simply to ask a different kind of question.

Starc has delivered a maiden, but that’s not getting the job done, the Proteas yet to lose a wicket in the opening session of day five. The tourists still need six wickets to win. Markram and Mulder have looked at ease all morning in Durban, although Mulder is now looking to attack Lyon.

The Proteas are 4-154, their target 421. That’s out of the question, but surviving two more sessions is suddenly within reach.

As Mark Waugh pointed out on Fox Cricket, there is a hint of reverse swing from the quicks, but it hasn’t been good enough - yet - for the tourists to claim a crucial breakthrough. We are 75 minutes in, and the Proteas haven’t really been troubled. South Africa are 4-148.

He’s already been out there for an hour, but here’s the formal clearance for Smith: “Steve Smith has undergone a series of clinical assessments over the past 24 hours in accordance with Cricket Australia’s concussion protocols and has been cleared to take the field this morning.”

South African batters Markram and Mulder are in rush, and for good reason. It’s a battle of attrition today, and the Proteas have started well in their bid to force a draw, Markram and Mulder sharing in a 50-run stand.

Pat Cummins has tried a few things in a bid to make a key breakthrough, including having Josh Hazlewood deliver a one-over spell from the northern end, before heading to the southern end.

Cummins has changed his line and length from around and over the wicket while, as we said earlier, Renshaw took the ball for the opening over.

Cricketing great Meg Lanning will return as captain of the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League this season, after Annabel Sutherland opted to step down after two seasons in the role.

Lanning, the five-time World Cup winning Australia captain, last led the Stars in 2023, before Sutherland took charge. But Sutherland has decided to lighten her load this summer amid a heavy international schedule.

Stars coach Richard Pyrah, who worked with Sutherland at Sunrisers Leeds during The Hundred in August, said the allrounder had demonstrated courage through her decision.

“It takes a lot of courage and humility for Annabel to recognise that the best thing for the team is for her to focus on her performance and stand aside from the captaincy,” Pyrah said in a statement.

Skipper Pat Cummins has replaced Mitchell Starc in the attack, eschewing the opportunity to use fellow quick Josh Hazlewood. Cummins has a knack of taking a quick wicket - he’ll be hoping for one here.

It’s been a subdued start by the Australians - it’s time to enliven things.

South African opener Aiden Markram has provided a strong rearguard dig, taking 130 deliveries to reach his 50, the second-slowest half-century in his Test career.

Teammate Wiaan Mulder has followed the lead, taking 41 deliveries to reach 14.

Left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc has thrown up a few wide deliveries to tempt each batsman, but they refuse to take the bait. This is old-fashioned Test cricket.

Nathan Lyon has replaced Matthew Renshaw in the attack, and will have Mitchell Starc providing pressure at the other end. Starc is also helping the spinners (legally) in his follow through, for he is helping the pitch wear.