Live cricket scores: South Africa host Australia in first Test since 2018 sandpaper saga
In one of the most anticipated non-Ashes Tests in history, Australia return to South African shores hoping to bury infamous memories of 2018 as the Proteas look to inflict more scars. Follow the action live.
In one of the most anticipated non-Ashes Tests in history, Australia return to South African shores hoping to bury infamous memories of 2018 as the Proteas look to inflict more scars.
For the first time since the sandpaper scandal shook Australian cricket to its core, South Africa will host Pat Cummins’ side in a rare home series.
The Proteas will be without star Kagiso Rabada but will be favourites against an unsettled Australian batting line-up and question marks over their aging side.
Follow all the action live
Aaron Kirby is reporting live.
Bit of Travy time
Head has been stuck at the non-striker’s for most of the first six overs but gets his chance and feasts on a ball off his pads.
He whipped it in the air but it goes fine of the fielder to the rope.
Mulder’s follow-up is good as he swings in to middle and finds some extra bounce.
AUS 0-17
Oh no!
Had South Africa reviewed, Maddinson would have been out for a duck with the ball hitting leg stump.
He is on zero from 16 so far.
AUS 0-10
Shout!
The Proteas are up as Mulder strikes Maddinson in the pads.
The Aussie’s bat clipped his pad and that is enough to deter the review.
The umpire was not interested but it appeared close. Probably leg-sideish.
The debate begins
Nic Maddinson opening the batting is already kicking off plenty of debate with former test opener Phil Jacques baffled.
A few other former players will be in the same boat.
He keeps WA young gun Cooper Connolly out of the team and forced opener Matt Renshaw into the middle-order.
Renshaw has played very well in the middle-order for the white-ball team so maybe that is a part of the thinking.
Maddinson is yet to get off the mark after XI balls with South Africa starting nicely and going straight for the pads.
AUS 0-9
Tepid start
The pitch is very slow through the first over, given Jansen is warming himself up.
There was a touch of seam movement and we will wait to see what Mulder gets.
He is more of a swing bowler than a seamer.
They are holding Nortje back for now.
First ball!
Marco Jansen gets the first ball of the Test and it comes off Maddinson’s pads and goes to the rope.
AUS 0-4
Desperate move?
Not only will Maddinson play, but he will open the batting with Travis Head.
It’s a tough welcome back to the Australia team.
And he will get his chance straight away with Pat Cummins opting to bat first after winning the toss.
TEAMS
AUSTRALIA
Travis Head
Nic Maddinson
Marnus Labuschange
Steve Smith
Matthew Renshaw
Alex Carey
Beau Webster
Pat Cummins
Mitchell Starc
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood
SOUTH AFRICA
Aiden markram
Ryan Rickleton
David bedingham
Temba Bavuma
Tristan Stubbs
Wiaan Mulder
Kyle Verreynne
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Simon Harmer
Anrich Nortje
Surprise pick
Nic Maddinson has been given a fairytale Test cricket return.
After being out of the game and battling cancer, he will take his place in the Test team for the first time in more than a decade.
It’s a chance at redemption after his first three Test outings were terrible.
Welcome!
Australia are back in South Africa, and we are set for a huge series!
The tourists have even thrown in a shock right from the first coin toss.
Stay tuned for all the latest from Durban.
