Pat Cummins’ late fireworks and Matt Renshaw’s impressive all-round performance put Australia in a commanding position in the Durban Test.
Australia moved closer to a convincing victory over South Africa in the Durban Test after building a substantial lead on the fourth day of the opening match of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 series. The hosts ended the day at 102/4 while chasing a challenging target of 421 runs, leaving them needing another 319 runs with six wickets remaining.
Australia resumed their second innings at 33 without loss after poor light had interrupted the previous day’s play. However, Travis Head departed early for 11 after mistiming a delivery from Marco Jansen, which was caught by South African captain Temba Bavuma.
Nic Maddinson provided an aggressive response, scoring 48 from just 38 deliveries with six fours and two sixes. His innings ended when Anrich Nortje bowled him with a fast yorker, leaving Australia at 72/2.
Labuschagne and Smith Build Partnership
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith stabilised the innings with a 53-run partnership. Smith struck several boundaries before falling for 27, attempting an aggressive shot against Simon Harmer. Labuschagne followed for 37 after edging Keshav Maharaj to Bavuma, taking Australia to 174/4 at lunch.
Matt Renshaw continued his outstanding performance after scoring 190 in the first innings. He produced another valuable contribution, making 82 from 99 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, before Maharaj dismissed him with a caught-and-bowled effort.
Alex Carey added 24 runs, while Pat Cummins and Beau Webster accelerated the scoring during an unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership. Cummins smashed 32 not out from only 12 deliveries, including four sixes, as Webster remained unbeaten on 39.
Australia declared at 314/6, establishing an overall lead of 420 runs.
South Africa Face Difficult Final-Day Chase
South Africa struggled against Australia’s pace attack during the evening session. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Ryan Rickelton for two before removing David Bedingham, who scored 46.
Renshaw claimed his first Test wicket by dismissing Bavuma for one, while Cummins removed Tristan Stubbs for one to leave the hosts in serious trouble at 99/4.
Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 45 from 115 deliveries, providing resistance as fading light brought the day’s play to an end.
South Africa must now produce a determined batting effort on the final day to avoid defeat, while Australia require six more wickets to secure the opening Test and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.