10/12/2026 11:31:00
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10/12 11:30 CDT Australia sets 421-run target and South Africa struggling at
102-4 on Day 4
Australia sets 421-run target and South Africa struggling at 102-4 on Day 4
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) --- Australia set South Africa a 421-run target and
the Proteas were laboring at 102-4 after the first full day of cricket in the
first test at Kingsmead on Monday.
Another leading score by Matt Renshaw of 82 helped Australia declare its second
innings at 314-6 just before scheduled tea.
Bad light ended play early on the previous three days but sunshine allowed the
action to continue past 4:30 p.m. local time for the first time in the test for
another hour in an extended three-hour session.
Unable to be saved by bad light, South Africa lost two wickets after 4:30 p.m.;
captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan, both on 1.
At stumps, Aiden Markram was 45 not out with Wiaan Mulder on 5 and South Africa
was struggling on a decent pitch at 2.48 runs per over, especially against
spinners Nathan Lyon and part-time Renshaw.
Renshaw was enjoying a dream test: A career-best 190 followed by an 82 and a
bonus first test wicket. He got Bavuma bat-pad and caught at short leg by Nic
Maddinson.
South Africa had already lost Ryan Rickelton on 2, out caught off Josh
Hazlewood for a second time in the match, and David Bedingham, out lbw to
Hazlewood. Again, Bedingham fell short of a half-century, 46 following 49 in
the first innings.
Pat Cummins claimed the fourth wicket when Stubbs was caught behind. South
Africa was 86-4 and facing a tall task on the final day.
Markram scored 45 not out off 115 balls and with Wiaan Mulder (5 not out)
closed out the day with South Africa facing a tall ask on the final day needing
another 319 runs.
Markram has a chance to become the second batter after Renshaw to score a
half-century in the match. He gave up a chance on 15 but it hit wicketkeeper
Alex Carey's elbow and flew past slip.
Australia resumed from 33-0 overnight and reached 174-4 by lunch.
Maddinson scored 48 off 38 balls, including two sixes, to negate his duck in
the first innings. Fellow opener Travis Head was out for 11.
Australia had two aggressive partnerships in the morning session.
Steve Smith (27) and Marnus Labuschagne (37) added 53 off 77 balls.
Smith was hit on the head off Anrich Nortje's rising delivery and didn't field
during South Africa's second innings pending results of a concussion test.
Smith has a history of concussion and vertigo.
Smith continued after the knock on his helmet and was out caught off Simon
Harmer.
Labuschagne and Renshaw added 32 off 31 balls before lunch. Labuschagne mis-hit
a drive and was out for 37 off 58 balls, identical to his first innings
figures. Its the 12th known instance of runs scored and balls faced in men's
test cricket.
Australia, scoring at a quick pace, lost four wickets in the morning and led by
280 runs at lunch.
After the break, Renshaw reached 50 off 75 balls, while Nortje bowled Carey for
24. The duo added 48 off 84 balls, taking Australia past 200.
Renshaw and Beau Webster adding 65 off 71 balls before Renshaw fell when Keshav
Maharaj took a surprising return catch. Renshaw faced 99 balls and hit two
sixes and finished the test with 272 runs.
Captain Cummins had one eye on a declaration as the lead passed 400. He and
Webster added 44 off only 19 balls. Webster was 39 not out off 43 balls and
Cummins had 32 off 12 with four sixes.
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