Steve Smith dismissed for 25 as Australia reach 187 for six on rain-shortened day in Durban
Steve Smith fell for 25 as Australia reached 187 for six on a rain-shortened opening day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.
Steve Smith made 25 off 53 balls before Marco Jansen bowled him on the first day of the first Test in Durban. Australia reached 187 for six before rain and bad light shut things down after 65.2 overs. Smith passed Steve Waugh during the innings to become Australia’s third-highest run-scorer in men’s Tests.
Wiaan Mulder removed Travis Head for nine and trapped Marnus Labuschagne lbw for 37. Marco Jansen also sent back Nic Maddinson for a duck on his Test return. Anrich Nortje, back in the side for the first time since March 2023, claimed two wickets in one over to leave Australia at 124 for six.
Matt Renshaw finished unbeaten on 46 and Pat Cummins on 33, adding an unbroken 63 for the seventh wicket. Kagiso Rabada sat out with a hamstring injury.
CricHubb Take
Australia’s seventh-wicket pair salvaged the day, but their middle-order collapse against the second-string attack will raise questions about depth once Rabada returns.