Australia moved towards setting South Africa a formidable fourth-innings target in the first Test at Kingsmead, taking their lead to 301 runs on day four with Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey at the crease.
Renshaw was unbeaten on 43 from 62 balls and Carey had made 15 from 32 as Australia continued their second innings in the second session of day four. The pair were scoring at a measured pace, with Australia adding 33 runs without losing a wicket in the last 10 overs.
Australia’s push for a substantial lead followed an aggressive morning from Nic Maddinson, who fell just short of a maiden Test half-century. The new opener struck 48 from 38 balls, providing a sharp contrast to his first-innings duck, which came from 33 deliveries.
Maddinson’s attack helped Australia maintain momentum despite losing four wickets. Travis Head made 11 before edging Marco Jansen to mid-on, while Steve Smith fell after reaching a half-century stand with Marnus Labuschagne. Smith holed out to Jansen, who held the catch at the second attempt.
Labuschagne made 37 before hitting Keshav Maharaj to cover. It was his second dismissal for 37 in the match, extending his wait for a Test century since the 2023 Ashes tour.
Renshaw, whose 190 in Australia’s first innings had shifted the balance of the match, continued to find scoring options against a surface becoming increasingly difficult to bat on. He used the reverse sweep effectively and reached lunch alongside Carey.
South Africa’s quicks also posed a threat. Anrich Nortje bowled a hostile spell of short deliveries, one of which struck Smith’s helmet, while several of his deliveries lost pace as they reached wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. The surface was also offering more turn, with Simon Harmer and Maharaj taking wickets.
Australia had resumed their second innings at 33 without loss after bad light curtailed the third day. Their scoring rate has helped them build a substantial advantage, an important factor given that the first three days had all ended early because of poor light.
With 61.3 overs remaining in the scheduled day’s play, Australia had time to add further runs, while South Africa needed breakthroughs to prevent the visitors from setting an even bigger target.
