Sports · 17 updates
Australia captain Pat Cummins has played down concerns that Usman Khawaja’s upcoming autobiography could bring fresh attention to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, also known as Sandpapergate. Australia are returning to South Africa for the first time since the scandal. The three-Test series begins at Kingsmead on Friday, but Cummins said the incident had already been dealt with and the team had moved on.
South African sports broadcaster SuperSport has taken a dig at Australia ahead of their first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, also known as Sandpapergate. Australia will face South Africa in a three-match series, with the opening Test scheduled at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, October 9, at 1 pm IST.
Maddinson is slotted to open while South Africa had named their XI a day before the Test
Nic Maddinson's return to Test cricket after nearly a decade began poorly with a 33-ball duck. He set a new record for the longest innings without scoring by a Test opener in the 21st century. Matthews Hayden criticized his selection, highlighting concerns over the standards of players being chosen. Australia faced early challenges after Travis Head was dismissed cheaply following Maddinson's failure.
Nic Maddinson, included in the Australia XI as an opener, batted for 33 balls on his Test comeback but failed to score a run
Australia's 18-member squad has an average age of around 32.6, with only three players under 30.
Renshaw went to lunch 102 not out to help Australia to 277 for 8 after Wiaan Mulder claimed four wickets to end Cummins' stubborn resistance
Matt Renshaw showcased his talent by achieving a standout Test score of 190 in the first Test against South Africa. This remarkable achievement set a new benchmark for an Australian in Durban. With Australia initially struggling at 84-4, Renshaw’s pivotal innings, bolstered by a partnership with Nathan Lyon worth 134 runs for the ninth wicket, shifted the momentum.
Matt Renshaw showcased his extraordinary talent by scoring 190 runs in a thrilling match against South Africa. With Australia struggling at 124/6, he rallied by combining for 174 runs with lower-order batsmen, including a spectacular 134-run partnership with Nathan Lyon for the ninth wicket. This remarkable innings was pivotal in Australia's total of 390 all out, as South Africa responded with 27/1 at day's end.
Smith reached the landmark on Day 3 when he caught David Bedingham off Pat Cummins' bowling
Around 45 overs have been lost across three days' play, which needs to be factored into teams' calculations
Australia's quick exploited Durban's abrasive surface to find reverse swing and their depth of pace options offers further confidence heading into the second Test
He did not travel with the SA squad from Durban to Gqeberha after the first match
South Africa given huge boost by fitness of their leading quick but both sides wait to name their XIs with uncertainty over conditions and the weather
Rabada missed the first Test in Durban, where South Africa suffered a 214-run defeat, as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury. He has since trained with the team and is now ready to return.