Aiden Markram batted for nearly six hours, but Josh Hazlewood’s career-best 6/49 bowled the Proteas out for 206 and gave Australia a 214-run win and a 1-0 series lead.
Browsing: Kingsmead
Markram’s 75 was the only half-century South Africa made in five days at Kingsmead. Here is why the first Test was lost at the top of the order, and what it means for Gqeberha.
Australia declared at tea and set a world-record 421. By stumps the Proteas were 102/4, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 45 and 319 still needed on the final day.
Every Test against Australia is worth 12 points, and with only 14 Tests in this cycle the Proteas feel each result more than most. Here is the percentage maths for Kingsmead and St George’s Park.
Matt Renshaw batted almost the whole day for a career-best 190, Australia recovered from 124/6 to 390, and the Proteas lost Ryan Rickelton before bad light ended play for a second evening running.
Plenty of starts, no half-centuries: the Proteas were bowled out for 284 on Sunday, and Australia reached 33 without loss, 139 ahead, before bad light ended play early again.
Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje took two wickets apiece as Australia slid to 124/6, before Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins dug in and bad light closed a shortened first day.
Thirty years old, uncapped and averaging 82.92 for South Africa A in his last 10 red-ball outings, Marques Ackerman may get his first Test cap on his home ground. Here is why he is the one to watch this series.
The Proteas may pick both Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada’s call could wait until Friday morning and Australia arrive without Cameron Green. Everything you need before the first Test in Durban.
Who the Proteas are in Test cricket: 137 years of history, the Lord’s win over Australia, the squad named for the first Test and the three Tests to come.