reversing in, smack on the back pad - given! Hazlewood has done it, de Kock looks guilty although he belatedly asks for the review, which pretty much tells the story. Thought there might have been an inside edge, but no, it beat the bat as de Kock drove, would have hit leg stump. So Australia wrap up a 118-run win, finishing the innings off without drama on the final morning
South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test at Durban, Mar 01 2018 - Match Result
10.45am: Right, that wraps up a pretty decent first Test - a morsel of what's to come. Australia were the better side but, the way South Africa came back at them, they'll know they're in a battle for the rest of the series. I'll leave you with Brydon Coverdale's report on the last knockings, we'll be back for more later in the week. Thanks for joining us, cheerio!
10.30am: Time for the presentations, starting with South Africa captain Faf du Plessis: [Always behind on first innings?] "Spot on, they posted 50 runs too many, that's credit to the way they batted, their tail added vital runs. Both team were around 150-160 for 5. Our first innings total was always under par, that's the batters responsibility, not enough partnerships. To lose by 100-odd runs, we know we didn't have enough in the first innings. [Fightback?] First of all with the ball, we were really good, to restrict them to 220, then with the bat, Markram was really special. Really proud of our fight but not quite good enough to live with Australia. [Port Elizabeth next] The character of this team means we'll never go down without a fight."
Mitchell Starc is Man of the Match for his nine wickets (plus some biffing with the bat): "It's nice to put a few in the right spot. Little bit of work to do with the new ball, getting early wickets. Winning a Test match, I'll take that for the group. [Changing wrist position between orthodox and reverse swing?] I don't find it too difficult, probably more natural when it's reversing, it's a good habit to have. [Batting?] Probably got stuck in two minds during the home innings, but nice to get some runs, always encouraging for the tail to add to the total. [Bowl spin in bad light?] I didn't want to ... the skipper might have been trying to jag one himself. Just special to win a Test match."
Australia captain Steven Smith: "Yeah, nice way to start, especially against a top-quality opposition. Really pleased with the way the boys played, Mitch Marsh coming in with 96, the way the tail contributed, that was obviously the difference in the end. A really good game of cricket. I think winning the toss and batting was ideal. Reverse swing played a part through the game. It was a hard-fought Test match, yesterday was a great day of Test cricket, Aiden Markram played exceptionally well, but when Mitch Marsh broke that partnership it got a bit easier. Our practice in the game before this Test was spot on and its pleasing to play as we have. There's not doubt SA will come out hard against at Port Elizabeth and we'll be up for the fight again."
10.20am: Australia go 1-0 up in the four-match series - not bad for 20 minutes work. The wicket that eluded them last night was never likely to keep the tourists waiting for too long today. De Kock played extremely well, to the extent that when he and Markram were batting during the evening session on Sunday, it was possible to imagine the scales shifting - but really, having conceded a 189-run deficit on first innings, they were always hoping for miracles. Still, it was important they showed some fight, with the teams meeting again in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
full, Morkel slashes a thick outside edge through gully and they pick up three - he's off the mark!
round the wicket, pitched up and Morkel goes for an airy swish, fails to connect
length outside off and de Kock pops it in the air through point, this time they do take the single
More news from this feisty old Test: Nathan Lyon has been charged by the ICC for his conduct during the AB de Villiers run-out on day four
Morkel has now dead-batted six overs on his own, still without a run... Not even halfway to Geoff Allott's Test record, though
fired in straight, clipped square on the leg side off the inside edge - but they won't run
hello, there's the Starc boomerang, curving with a dangerous beauty out of the hand but it started wide and bent back towards Paine allowing Morkel to leave
full, 144kph/89mph in the channel but not coming back enough, Morkel leaves it alone
So, Starc to Morkel. The match-up denied to us last night because of the light
full, 141kph outside off, de Kock drives wide of long-off, sets off this time - possibly wanting two but they won't get it
angled in with the arm, whipped off the pads but again de Kock realises he won't get back for two so doesn't take one
angled in on a length, 138kph and de Kock gets a big leading edge that balloons over midwicket, bounces out towards the sweeper... but he declines the run
length ball, aiming for the top of off, Morne drives comfortably to mid-off and sees out the over. Only 88 more to go
Short leg in now
dug in short and Morkel starts to follow it but then does well to drop the hands
pitched up and Morkel gets those giraffe limbs moving to push into the covers again
short ball, heading down the leg side as he flicks at it and misses
Here's Andy C: "On average Morne lasts 18 balls per Test innings so with 27 under the belt to date it's fair to say SA are on borrowed time. But you never know...come on Morne!"
on a length, goes straighter and Morkel plays correctly towards mid-on
full, 141kph outside off, tapped into the covers
Josh Hazlewood starts up from the Umgeni End... Australia still haven't taken the new ball
full again, 143kph and tailing in as de Kock plinks a drive towards point - so a maiden to start with, and de Kock loses the strike
pitched up, 139kph, big swing on the drive but it comes off the inside half of the bat and runs towards mid-on
full, wide of the off stump, swing and a miss from Quinny
comes across and gets bat on ball, tickled towards mid-on
2W | 1W | |||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W |
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
Kingsmead, Durban | |
Toss | Australia, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2017/18 |
Player Of The Match | |
Series result | Australia led the 4-match series 1-0 |
Match number | Test no. 2297 |
Hours of play (local time) | 10.00 start, Lunch 12.00-12.40, Tea 14.40-15.00, Close 17.00 |
Match days | 01,02,03,04,05 March 2018 - day (5-day match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |