Australia has taken a 1-0 series lead over South Africa after a 214-run victory in the first Test in Durban, powered by Josh Hazlewood's six wickets in the Proteas' second innings and Matt Renshaw's 190 in Australia's first innings.
Australia has taken a 1-0 series lead over South Africa after a 214-run victory in the first Test in Durban, with Josh Hazlewood's six wickets sealing the result across five days.
Writing for Nine newspapers, cricket writer Daniel Brettig awarded Matt Renshaw a perfect 10 in his player ratings. Renshaw made 190 in the first innings and followed it with 82 in the second as Australia built a commanding lead. Brettig described the innings as one of the best Test innings by an Australian in the past decade. Renshaw also claimed the wicket of Temba Bavuma with his off spin.
Josh Hazlewood was rated nine out of 10 after taking career-best figures of 6-49. Brettig wrote that Hazlewood had never bowled better, using new-ball seam, bounce and reverse swing to trouble almost every South African batsman. His bowling with the second new ball was credited with sealing the game.
The ratings article was published by the Brisbane Times, WA Today and The Sydney Morning Herald after the conclusion of the match.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Australia now leads the series 1-0, putting it in a strong position for the remainder of the tour.
- Matt Renshaw's performance strengthens his place in the Test side and gives selectors flexibility over whether he bats in the middle order or returns to opening.
- Josh Hazlewood's career-best figures underline the depth and effectiveness of Australia's pace attack.
Background
The first Test was played in Durban over five days. Australia built a large lead through Renshaw's first-innings 190, and Hazlewood then dismantled South Africa's second innings with figures of 6-49. Player ratings are a standard feature of cricket coverage, offering an individual assessment of each team member's contribution after a match.
Key Perspectives
Australia's selectors: Renshaw's runs and his wicket with off spin add versatility to the squad, while Hazlewood's form gives the pace attack a reliable spearhead.
South Africa: The Proteas will need to counter Hazlewood's combination of seam, bounce and reverse swing, particularly when the second new ball becomes available.
Critics and skeptics: A single result does not guarantee series momentum, and Renshaw's long-term role in the batting order may remain a topic of debate as the tour continues.
What to Watch
- Whether Renshaw stays in the middle order or moves back to opening in the next Test.
- Whether Hazlewood can maintain his career-best form over the remainder of the series.
- How South Africa adjusts its batting approach to the second new ball in the coming matches.