Australia’s pace attack, led by a dominant Josh Hazlewood, secured a 214-run victory over South Africa on the final day of the opening Test match at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. Hazlewood finished with impressive figures of 6-49, claiming the six wickets required on Tuesday to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The win marks Australia’s first encounter with South Africa since their defeat in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s. The 35-year-old Hazlewood also removed the last batsman to ensure the victory in the first clash between the teams since South Africa upset Australia in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s in London.
South Africa’s resistance lasted until shortly before the tea break, with the team eventually dismissed for 206. The day began with Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder resuming their fifth-wicket stand at 102-4. The pair displayed significant patience, extending their partnership to 69 runs from 205 deliveries. However, the 110-minute period of defiance ended when Hazlewood forced an edge from Mulder, who departed for 29 following a diving catch by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
The collapse continued shortly after as part-time spinner Matt Renshaw, who earned man-of-the-match honors for his batting performance, dismissed Kyle Verreynne for a duck. Verreynne fell to a reckless shot that was caught at slip by Steve Smith. Although South Africa reached lunch at 166-6 and added another 25 runs, the introduction of the new ball proved decisive for the Australian bowling unit.
Hazlewood struck twice in a single over with the new ball to dismantle the lower order. He bowled Marco Jansen for 35 before Simon Harmer was caught behind by Carey after the ball brushed his glove. Aiden Markram’s marathon innings of 75 from 237 balls finally ended when he edged a Mitchell Starc delivery. Initially not out, Markram was dismissed after a successful television review confirmed the catch behind the stumps.
The match concluded when Hazlewood dismissed Anrich Nortje, who popped a catch to Nathan Lyon at short midwicket. The victory was bolstered by the return of Steve Smith to the field. Smith had missed the final session on Monday after sustaining a blow to the head while batting, but he was cleared to play following medical evaluations.
A statement regarding the former captain’s health confirmed that Smith underwent clinical assessments over a 24-hour period. In line with Cricket Australia’s concussion protocols, he was cleared to take the field on Tuesday morning, allowing him to participate in the final day’s play and contribute to the team’s winning effort in Durban.
