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.
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.
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. 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. He gave up a chance on 15 but it hit wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s elbow and flew past slip. 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. 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. 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.
Markram has a chance to become the second batter after Renshaw to score a half-century in the match. Its the 12th known instance of runs scored and balls faced in men’s test cricket.
