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South Africa v Australia: first men’s cricket Test, day two – live

Geoff Lemon, James Wallace · 1h ago · 3 min read · theguardian.com

  • Pat Cummins’ side resume their first innings at Kingsmead

  • Start time in Durban is 9.30am local/6.30pm AEDT

  • Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email

LIVE Updated

Sat 10 Oct 2026 03.12 EDT First published on Sat 10 Oct 2026 02.36 EDT

Key events

Travis Head warms up before Australia resume their first innings against South Africa on day two of the first Test at Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban
Travis Head warms up before Australia resume their first innings against South Africa on day two of the first Test at Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban. Follow for live scores and SA v Aus updates. Start time is 9.30am local/6.30pm AEDT. Photograph: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Key events

Former England Test batter and Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott has spoken with Ali Martin about his recent his Lions appointment and much more.

When I made my T20 debut in 2007 it was like I had come in from the cold. It was very weird suddenly playing for a team where, apart from Belly, I didn’t know anyone. For some cricketers that’s fine, they walk into a side and do their thing. But for me the sense of the team has always been a big aspect of playing.

Playing for the Lions in the two years after that, I actually got to know a lot of the players who became my teammates in the Test side. We played in the Duleep Trophy in India the first winter, against touring sides in the summers, and had a full tour of New Zealand. So some very competitive cricket. So, making my Test debut in 2009 felt like more of a natural transition, really.

Mostly sunny in Durban for day two of the first Test between South Africa and Australia. The forecast is for a high of 25 with a bit of cloud early before the sun is expected to dominate the afternoon.

Kingsmead Cricket Ground before day two of the first Test between South Africa and Australia
Kingsmead Cricket Ground before day two of the first Test between South Africa and Australia. Photograph: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Australia are arriving for day two at Kingsmead Cricket Ground. Not sure if Marnus Labuschagne is being optimistic or pessimistic with bring his bat. Matt Renshaw looks focused and ready to play.

Marnus Labuschagne arrives at Kingsmead Cricket Ground
Marnus Labuschagne arrives at Kingsmead Cricket Ground. Photograph: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Matt Renshaw will resume Australia’s first innings with captain Pat Cummins
Matt Renshaw will resume Australia’s first innings with captain Pat Cummins. Photograph: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Here is the full report from day one of the first Test at Durban … with a little teaser to whet the appetite.

If we accept that sporting tenures are results-based, then the Australian selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide should be conferring with the coach Andrew McDonald to submit a mass resignation.

43m ago

02.36 EDT

Preamble

Geoff Lemon Geoff Lemon

Well, well, well. Day one of the first Test was eventful, wasn’t it? If you don’t know, then you’ll need to catch up with the match report. Selection weirdness from Australia, a glimpse of the old firm of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne before a meal break got in the way, heat from Anrich Nortje, then resistance from Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins. That’s the bones of it. And all that in 65 overs because it gets dark early on the east coast of Africa in October, something that apparently is quite the surprise to local cricket authorities.

So we’ll start day two with Australia in a tricky spot, needing a fair bit more rearguarding before they can regard their rears as sufficiently guarded. All the wickets have fallen to pace so far, despite South Africa picking two spinners. Early success for South Africa’s bowlers, and Australia will be in deep, deep trouble. But if they can get from their current 187-6 to 250 or more, that might have them in the game.

Shall we go to Durban?