Durban opening day: Australia fight back to 187-6 before bad light stops play

Australia were 187-6 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban after captain Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw led an unbeaten 63-run seventh-wicket stand. Renshaw remained 46 not out and Cummins 33. Play was halted an hour early due to bad light, with umpires waiting 45 minutes before abandoning the day. Anrich Nortje, returning after nearly four years away from first-class cricket, took two wickets in three balls after lunch and finished with 2-40. Nic Maddinson, back after battling cancer, played 33 balls for a duck before Marco Jansen bowled him. It was the longest duck by an Australian opener in Test history. Steve Smith, playing his first Test in South Africa since the 2026 sandpaper scandal, hit two sixes but was out for 25. Wiaan Mulder and Jansen also struck twice. Australia slipped to 124-6 before Renshaw and Cummins stabilised the innings with counter-attacking intent. The day ended under a gloomy sky, with the match still delicately poised.