SA vs AUS: Hazlewood blasts South Africa, hands Bavuma first Test loss as captain

Josh Hazlewood ended Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten run as South Africa’s Test captain as Australia sealed a 214-run victory over the hosts in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Tuesday. The right-arm paceman took six wickets on the final day to bowl out South Africa for 206 and give Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Bavuma won 11 of his first 12 Tests as captain, making him South Africa’s most successful captain by wins before suffering defeat. However, Australia’s ferocious bowling attack finally broke the hosts’ resistance and Hazlewood finished the match with figures of 6/49 in the second innings.

SA vs AUS, 1st Test Day 4: Highlights | Scorecard

South Africa resumed at 102/4 on the final morning with Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder tasked with keeping the chase alive. The pair added 69 runs for the fifth wicket from 205 balls, showing patience against an Australian attack that needed six wickets to end the match.

Hazlewood broke the stand after 110 minutes of resistance when Mulder beat a leg-side strike to keeper Alex Carey who grabbed the catch. Mulder departed on 29 and South Africa’s hopes of a serious challenge were quickly dashed.

Matt Renshaw then struck to remove Kyle Verreynne for a duck after the bat missed a shot caught by Steve Smith at slip. South Africa went to lunch on 166/6, still needing a substantial contribution from their lower order to extend the contest.

HAZLEWOOD SEALS THE DEAL

The home side added 25 runs after lunch before Australia took over with the new ball and Hazlewood struck immediately. He bowled Marc Jansen for 35 and three balls later he dismissed Simon Harmer, who delivered the ball to Carey.

Markram remained South Africa’s last great hope, but his patient 75 off 237 balls ended when he deflected Mitchell Starc’s delivery off his pads and was caught behind. The termination was confirmed after a television review.

Hazlewood then completed the victory by removing Anrich Nortje, who flicked the ball to short midwicket for Nathan Lyon to catch. Australia claimed the six wickets required on the final day, with Hazlewood finishing with eight wickets in the match.

The result gives Australia a 1-0 advantage in the series and marks their fourth successive Test victory at Kingsmead since 2006. The contest was the first Test meeting between the two sides since South Africa defeated Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last year.

Meanwhile, former Australia captain Smith returned to the field on Tuesday after missing Monday’s late session after being hit on the head while batting. Cricket Australia has confirmed he has completed clinical assessments under concussion protocols and has been cleared to play.

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