Renshaw and Cummins stage late rescue as Australia reach 187 for six on day one in Durban
Renshaw and Cummins stage late rescue as Australia reach 187 for six on day one in Durban
Australia closed a bruising opening day of the Australia vs South Africa first Test on 187 for six at Kingsmead, with Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins holding firm through the final session after the home pace attack had torn through the top order. Bad light ended play early in Durban, leaving the tourists grateful for an unbroken stand that kept the first Test of the three-match series alive.
Renshaw finished unbeaten on 46 and Cummins on 33, their rearguard the only period of calm on a day dominated by South Africa’s quicks. Australia had won the toss and chosen to bat on Friday morning, a decision that looked shaky within the first hour.
South Africa’s quicks dominate day one of the Australia vs South Africa first Test
Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen claimed two wickets apiece as Australia’s much-discussed veteran batting line-up failed to fire. Travis Head fell for nine, Marnus Labuschagne made 37 before falling lbw, and Steve Smith managed 25. Alex Carey (14) and Beau Webster (4) also departed cheaply as the tourists slipped from 84 for three at lunch to 149 for six at tea.
The day’s most painful dismissal belonged to Nic Maddinson, whose Test return after nearly a decade ended with a 33-ball duck, bowled by Jansen. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer kept the pressure on between the pace bursts, giving Renshaw and Cummins no respite through the evening session.
Notably, South Africa achieved all this without their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who was ruled out of the series opener before the toss, a fact that will encourage the hosts as the series develops.
Australia’s oldest side in nearly a century
The match is already historic for Australia’s selection: this is the first all-30-plus XI the country has ever fielded in Test cricket, with an average age of 34.59 that makes it the oldest Australian Test side in almost a hundred years. Renshaw, at 30, is the youngest player in the team, and it was fitting that he carried the fight on day one.
The age debate has followed this squad all season, and day one in Durban did little to quiet it. Beyond Renshaw and Cummins, nobody passed 40, and the middle order’s frailty against the moving ball will concern the selectors with two Tests still to come.
Play on day two will begin early, with extended sessions scheduled to recover the overs lost to bad light. The second Test starts in Gqeberha on October 18, with the third in Cape Town on October 27.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score at stumps on day one?
Australia finished day one on 187 for six, with Matt Renshaw unbeaten on 46 and Pat Cummins on 33. Bad light brought an early end to proceedings at Kingsmead.
Who took the wickets for South Africa?
Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen took two wickets each. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer bowled long containing spells but went wicketless on the opening day.
Why is Australia’s team selection historic?
Australia named their first-ever all-30-plus Test XI, with an average age of 34.59. It is the oldest Australian Test side fielded in nearly a century, with 30-year-old Matt Renshaw the youngest player in the team.
When and where are the remaining Tests?
The second Test will be played in Gqeberha from October 18 to 22, and the third in Cape Town from October 27 to 31.
