10/13/2026 05:23:00
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10/13 05:22 CDT Australia strikes twice as South Africa clings on in tense
last-day chase in Kingsmead test
Australia strikes twice as South Africa clings on in tense last-day chase in
Kingsmead test
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) --- Australia snagged two South Africa wickets in its
pursuit of six to win the first cricket test at Kingsmead on the last day
Tuesday.
Aiden Markram was defiantly holding up one end for the Proteas at 69 not out
from 200 balls, but the hosts were staring at a big loss in the series opener.
They were reduced to 166-6 at lunch on the fifth morning, the victory target of
421 looking even more improbable.
South Africa restarted its second innings on 102-4 and was intent in the
morning on surviving. The Proteas added only 64 runs in 32 overs.
But overnight batters Markram and Wiaan Mulder comfortably handled the
Australia attack on a placid pitch for nearly two hours in the extended session
until Josh Hazlewood broke through.
Hazlewood strangled Mulder down the leg side and wicketkeeper Alex Carey took a
low one-handed catch.
The end of Mulder's 110-ball innings for 29, after resuming on 5, brought in
Kyle Verreynne, who was dismissed on 1 three balls later.
Verreynne tried to cut part-time spinner Matt Renshaw and ended up giving Steve
Smith a slips catch and Renshaw his second wicket of the innings, and of his
career.
Smith did not take the field on Monday evening after he was hit on the helmet
while batting and underwent a concussion test. He came out to field on day five
after medical reports cleared him.
From 156-6, Markram and Marco Jansen, on 7, took South Africa to lunch, facing
35 deliveries.
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