Australia reach 187 for six on opening day against South Africa
Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw lead Australia's fightback after South Africa reduced the visitors to 187 for six on day one in Durban.
Australia reached 187 for six on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban on Friday. Bad light ended play with Pat Cummins on 33 and Matt Renshaw unbeaten on 46 after a 63-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
South Africa struck early after Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat. Travis Head fell for a duck and Nic Maddinson was dismissed for 0 in his first Test in ten years. Marnus Labuschagne made 37 and Steve Smith 25 before Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen took control.
Kagiso Rabada was ruled out with injury, and South Africa played two spinners in Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj. Anrich Nortje returned to the Test side after last featuring in March 2023.
CricHubb Take
Nic Maddinson's recall after a decade away exposed the thinness of Australia's opening options and handed South Africa an early psychological edge.