Australia strengthened their grip on the first Test in Durban, requiring just six more wickets on the final day to secure victory. After establishing a 106-run first-innings lead, the visitors extended their advantage throughout day four, anchored by a vibrant 82 from Matt Renshaw. Australia eventually set South Africa an imposing target of 421 before the bowlers dismantled the top order in the final session, leaving the hosts at 102/4 when stumps were drawn. Allowed them to set South Africa a daunting target of 421, matt Renshaw’s 82 and the sustained batting urgency from Australia – accentuated in the second session. For a change, bad light didn’t come in the way of the final session and Australia made more merry. Putting further daylight between Temba Bavuma’s side and a favourable result, they laid into South Africa bowlers to swell that number over the course of the day. He hit Jansen for a four and Simon Harmer for a six to swiftly move into the 40s. And failed, that perhaps could’ve gone on longer if Smith hadn’t tried his luck at clearing the tall frame of Jansen at long-on with a big hit.
The day began with Australia aiming to build on their lead. Nic Maddinson, who showed intent on day three, continued his aggressive approach before falling to an exceptional Anrich Nortje yorker for 48 off 38 balls. Following the early dismissal of Travis Head, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings with a 50-run stand. Smith, who took a blow to the helmet from a Nortje delivery, was unable to field during the subsequent South African innings. Both batters eventually departed, but the scoring rate remained high, with Australia adding 141 runs during the morning session. Adding another 50-run stand, steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then got together and moved the lead along at brisk pace.
Renshaw emerged as the pivotal figure in the middle session, forming valuable partnerships with Alex Carey and Beau Webster to pull the game further away from the Proteas. Australia scored 65 runs off 71 deliveries during that spell. Although Keshav Maharaj dismissed Renshaw with an acrobatic catch off his own bowling, the damage was largely done. Captain Pat Cummins then provided a late flourish, smashing four sixes in a quick-fire 32* from 12 balls. Australia declared at 314/6, setting the hosts a massive chase.
South Africa’s pursuit faced immediate pressure. While Aiden Markram and David Bedingham offered stubborn resistance, building a partnership for nearly 20 overs, Josh Hazlewood finally broke through by trapping Bedingham leg before wicket. The momentum shifted firmly toward the Australians as Renshaw proved his versatility, claiming the scalp of Temba Bavuma at forward short leg. Shortly after, Cummins removed Tristan Stubbs with a well-directed short ball that forced a nick behind the stumps.
At the close of play, Wiaan Mulder and Markram successfully batted through 50 deliveries to reach 102/4. With 319 runs still required for an improbable victory, South Africa faces a monumental challenge on the final day. Brief scores: Australia 390 (Matt Renshaw 190, Pat Cummins 43; Wiaan Mulder 4-68, Marco Jansen 3-68) and 314/6 decl. (Matthew Renshaw 82, Nic Maddinson 48; Anrich Nortje 2-56, Keshav Maharaj 2-56) lead South Africa 284 and 102/4 (David Bedingham 46, Aiden Markram 45*; Josh Hazlewood 2-20, Pat Cummins 1-27, Matt Renshaw 1-16) by 319 runs. Who started with a four and threw his bat around under fading light on Day 3, came out with similar intentions on Day 4, opener Nic Maddinson.
