Durban, October 10 (Daily Kiran) : Australia made a solid start in their first innings, posting a total of 390 runs, thanks to a remarkable 190-run performance from Matt Renshaw. Despite a shaky beginning, the team recovered well, leaving South Africa under pressure by the end of the second day of the first Test in Durban.
Winning the toss at Kingsmead, Australia faced early challenges, losing two wickets for just 24 runs. However, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings, adding 60 runs for the third wicket. The partnership ended when Labuschagne was dismissed for 37, followed by Smith, who scored 25, leaving Australia at a precarious 84 runs with four wickets down.
Renshaw took charge after the early setbacks, forming a crucial partnership with Alex Carey, contributing 36 runs for the fifth wicket. Unfortunately, the team lost another wicket for just four runs, bringing their total to 124, with six wickets down. Renshaw then teamed up with captain Pat Cummins, putting together an impressive 86 runs for the seventh wicket, which helped Australia surpass the 200-run mark. Cummins scored 43 runs, hitting six boundaries.
Renshaw continued to dominate, adding 134 runs for the ninth wicket with Nathan Lyon, which solidified Australia’s position. He also collaborated with Josh Hazlewood, adding 26 runs for the last wicket.
On the bowling front for South Africa, Vian Mulder claimed four wickets, while Marco Jansen took three. Anrich Nortje added two wickets to his tally, and Simon Harmer contributed one wicket.
In response, South Africa faced an early setback, losing Ryan Rickelton for a duck on the ninth ball of their innings, with Josh Hazlewood taking the wicket. Aiden Markram and David Bedingham attempted to stabilize the innings, but poor light halted play after 8.4 overs, with South Africa at 27 runs for the loss of one wicket. At stumps, Markram was unbeaten on 15, and Bedingham had scored 12.
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