Josh Hazlewood takes career-best 6 for 49 as Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs
Josh Hazlewood's 6 for 49 powered Australia to a 214-run victory and a 1-0 series lead over South Africa in the first Test at Durban.
Josh Hazlewood claimed career-best figures of 6 for 49 as Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban on Tuesday. The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after bowling the hosts out for 206 while chasing a target of 421.
South Africa lost their last six wickets for 104 runs on the final day despite Aiden Markram's 75. Hazlewood broke multiple stands, including a 69-run partnership between Markram and Wiaan Mulder, and finished with eight wickets in the match. Matt Renshaw contributed 272 runs across both innings and took two second-innings wickets.
Hazlewood surpassed Brett Lee's Test wicket tally for Australia with 311 dismissals. He also became only the second Australian bowler after Shane Warne to take five or more wickets in the fourth innings of a Test at Durban. The second Test begins in Gqeberha on October 18.
CricHubb Take
Hazlewood's figures show that sustained accuracy over multiple days still outranks express pace when pitches offer marginal assistance. His ability to return in the second innings and finish the match underlines why Australia continue to back him ahead of younger options.