Rabada absent as South Africa dominate Australia in Test opener

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 17:01 · Archive

South Africa reduced Australia to 187 for six on the opening day of the first Test in Durban without injured fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.

South Africa's seam attack made a strong start to the three-match Test series against Australia in Durban, reducing the tourists to 187 for six on the opening day before bad light forced an early finish at Kingsmead after 65.2 overs.

Australia's top order struggled throughout. Wiaan Mulder dismissed Travis Head for nine and surprise recall Nic Maddinson for a duck after chopping Marco Jansen. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith added 60 for the third wicket but neither extended their innings as Mulder and Jansen struck again either side of lunch.

Anrich Nortje, recalled after more than three years away from first-class cricket, took two wickets in three deliveries to dismiss Alex Carey and Beau Webster. Matt Renshaw remained unbeaten on 46 with captain Pat Cummins on 33 not out.

South Africa achieved this dominance without fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in June. Captain Temba Bavuma said the decision to omit him was 'conservative', to allow him extra time to reach full fitness. Rabada trained with the team on Thursday and may return for the second Test starting on October 18.

Rabada absent as South Africa dominate Australia in Test opener — Image: Independent Sport

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

South Africa dismantle Australia’s top order to make strong start to Test seriesEven without Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s seam attack proved too hot to handle in DurbanIndependent Sport · 9 Oct, 15:59
Rabada misses out on South Africa side for first Test vs AustraliaSouth Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada misses out on the first Test of the three-match series against Australia in Durban as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in June.Sky Sports · 8 Oct, 13:36

In this story: Kagiso Rabada · South Africa · Australia · Durban · Temba Bavuma · Wiaan Mulder · Anrich Nortje

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem