Australia sets 421 target, South Africa struggle at 102-4 in first Test

Samira Vishwas

Tezzbuzz|13-10-2026

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — Australia set South Africa a 421-run target and the Proteas were laboring at 102-4 after the first full day of cricket in the first Test at Kingsmead on Monday.

Matt Renshaw’s 82 helped Australia declare its second innings at 314-6 just before scheduled tea.

Bad light ended play early on the previous three days, but sunshine let play continue past 4:30 p.m. local time for the first time in the Test, adding another hour in an extended three-hour session.

Unable to be saved by bad light, South Africa lost two wickets after 4:30 p.m.; captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan, both on 1.

At stumps, Aiden Markram was 45 not out, with Wiaan Mulder on 5, and South Africa struggled on a decent pitch at 2.48 runs per over, especially against spinners Nathan Lyon and part-time Renshaw.

Renshaw was enjoying a dream Test: a career-best 190, followed by an 82 and a bonus first-Test wicket. He got Bavuma, who was caught by Nic Maddinson at short leg.

South Africa had already lost Ryan Rickelton on 2, out caught off Josh Hazlewood for a second time in the match, and David Bedingham, out lbw to Hazlewood. Again, Bedingham fell short of a half-century, 46 following 49 in the first innings.

Pat Cummins claimed the fourth wicket when Stubbs was caught behind. South Africa was 86-4 and facing a tall task on the final day.

Markram scored 45 not out off 115 balls and, with Wiaan Mulder (5 not out), closed out the day as South Africa faced a tough task on the final day, needing another 319 runs.

Markram has a chance to become the second batter after Renshaw to score a half-century in the match. He gave up a chance on 15, but it hit wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s elbow and flew past slip.

Australia resumed from 33-0 overnight and reached 174-4 by lunch.

Maddinson scored 48 off 38 balls, including two sixes, to negate his first-innings duck. Fellow opener Travis Head was out for 11.

Australia had two aggressive partnerships in the morning session.

Steve Smith (27) and Marnus Labuschagne (37) added 53 off 77 balls.

Anrich Nortje hit Smith on the head with a rising delivery, and Smith didn’t field during South Africa’s second innings pending a concussion test. Smith has a history of concussion and vertigo.

Smith continued after the knock on his helmet and was out caught off Simon Harmer.

Labuschagne and Renshaw added 32 off 31 balls before lunch. Labuschagne mis-hit a drive and was out for 37 off 58 balls, matching his first-innings figures. It’s the 12th known instance of runs scored and balls faced in men’s Test cricket.

Australia scored quickly, lost four wickets in the morning, and led by 280 runs at lunch.

After the break, Renshaw reached 50 off 75 balls, while Nortje bowled Carey for 24. The duo added 48 off 84 balls to take Australia past 200.

Renshaw and Beau Webster added 65 off 71 balls before Renshaw fell to a surprising return catch by Keshav Maharaj. Renshaw faced 99 balls, hit two sixes, and finished the Test with 272.

Captain Cummins had one eye on a declaration as the lead passed 400. He and Webster added 44 off only 19 balls. Webster was 39 not out off 43 balls, and Cummins had 32 off 12, including four sixes.