Speed Post News Network
Patna : Australia defeated South Africa by 118 runs in the first cricket test at Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa, before lunch on the fifth and final day of the test on March 5, 2018, to go 1-0 up in the four-match series. Australia needed just 4 overs to claim the 10th wicket of South Africa in their second innings with wicketkeep Quinton de Kock getting out lbw to Josh Hazlewood for 83 in 149 balls hitting 11 fours. Needing 417 runs to win the first test, South Africa were all out for 298 runs. Morne Morkel remained not out on 3.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc took 4/75 whil Josh Hazlewood took 3/61. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh took one wicket each. Spinner Nathan Lyon went wicketless leaking away 86 runs in 32 overs.
Australia made 351 in their first innings and 227 in the second. South Africa made 162 in their first innings and 298 in the second.
The test acquired controversial hue when Australian spinner Nathan Lyon dropped the ball on South African batsman A B de Villers after the latter was run out and was lying on the wicket on day four. The Match Refree has charged Lyon with Level 1 breach and be fined 50 % of his match fee. Senior Australian player David Warner was also involved in a verbal duel with Quinton de Kock after tea break.