Rusty or something more? South Africa's concern after Australia loss

Key points

• South Africa lost to Australia by an innings and 90 runs in Durban, ending a 12-match unbeaten run.
• Josh Hazlewood took career-best 6-49 as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
• Coach Shukri Conrad said the batting was the real disappointment and 'a few of the guys need to step up'.

South Africa's 12-match unbeaten run ended with a defeat to Australia in Durban. Australia declared their second innings at 314-6, with Matt Renshaw scoring 82, before bowling South Africa out for 206 on the final day to win by an innings and 90 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Josh Hazlewood led Australia with career-best figures of 6-49. Aiden Markram resisted for 237 balls, making 75 before edging Mitchell Starc to wicketkeeper Alex Carey in the afternoon session.

Conrad concerned by batting

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said he wanted to see more fight. He called the first-innings batting the real disappointment on a good wicket, noting that several players got starts but failed to convert them.

Conrad also said 'a few of the guys need to step up'. He pointed out that Australia had also come off a long break and lost to Bangladesh at home.

I would like to see more fight. I don't know if it is alarming [but] it is concerning.

— Proteas coach Shukri Conrad

Bowling and batting issues

South Africa's bowlers lacked the pressure of Australia's attack. Anrich Nortje took four wickets in his first Test since March 2023, but Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen were quiet, and spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj were not as sharp as usual, according to Conrad.

Several batsmen have struggled against top teams. Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton have scored centuries mainly against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Kyle Verreynne averages 15 against both England and India. David Bedingham looked comfortable at number three but failed to build on scores of 49 and 46.