Josh Hazlewood produced a match-winning spell on Day 5 to guide Australia to a 214-run victory over South Africa in the Durban Test on Tuesday. The Australian pacer claimed six wickets for 49 runs, registering his best bowling figures in Test cricket and handing South Africa captain Temba Bavuma his first defeat in the format as skipper.Chasing a target of 421, South Africa were bowled out for 206 in the second session, despite a fighting 75 from Aiden Markram. Hazlewood dismantled the lower order to seal Australia’s dominant victory after the hosts had shown some resistance during the final day’s play.
Hazlewood dismantles South Africa’s lower order
South Africa resumed Day 5 hoping to extend their resistance, with Markram and Wiaan Mulder attempting to keep Australia at bay. However, Hazlewood removed Mulder for 29, ending a 204-ball partnership and opening the door for the visitors.Steve Smith then took another outstanding catch in the slips to dismiss Kyle Verreynne, leaving South Africa struggling at 156/6. Marco Jansen briefly delayed Australia’s victory, batting alongside Markram to take the contest beyond the morning session. Hazlewood, however, broke through again, bowling Jansen with a delivery that seamed back sharply before dismissing Simon Harmer in the same over.Mitchell Starc subsequently ended Markram’s resistance, with the opener departing after facing 237 deliveries. Hazlewood completed the victory by dismissing Anrich Nortje, finishing with career-best figures of 6/49 and his 15th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Renshaw sets up Australia’s victory
Australia’s win was built on Matt Renshaw‘s outstanding batting performance. He scored 190 in the first innings as Australia posted 390, before adding another 82 in the second innings to help the visitors declare at 314/6. South Africa had managed 284 in their first innings but struggled to sustain their chase of 421. David Bedingham contributed 46, while Markram provided the bulk of the resistance with his determined knock.For South Africa, Wiaan Mulder claimed 4/68 in Australia’s first innings, while Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj took two wickets each in the second. Australia’s commanding performance with both bat and ball secured a comprehensive victory, with Renshaw’s runs and Hazlewood’s decisive final-day spell proving instrumental.Brief scores: Australia 390 and 314/6 declared beat South Africa 284 and 206 by 214 runs. Matt Renshaw scored 190 and 82, while Josh Hazlewood returned figures of 6/49 in the second innings.
