South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test - Live Cricket Score

Morkel's late strikes kept Australia's lead in check. © Getty

STUMPS: South Africa 293/9

The umpires feel that the light is too bad to carry on. So this match will go into the fifth day and Starc will have a chance for a hat-trick. It should end quickly, unless we are in for more drama. But for now, South Africa will take some comfort at the arrival of Markram despite staring at a big defeat.

Spin in fading light

Just one wicket away and Australia can do nothing but bowl Smith and Lyon. Both left-handers though are defending everything resolutely. Will we see this go till tomorrow? Will Starc have a chance to go for a hat-trick and ten-wicket haul?

WICKETS: Starc's reverse gets three!

Philander, Maharaj and Rabada fall in the same over. That round the wicket angle from Starc continues to bother South Africa. While Philander is out nicking behind, Maharaj's stumps are cleaned up by the pacer.

The left-handed Rabada is done in by a big inswinger from Starc first ball! Australia just one away. But there's some drama. The umpires deem that the light is too poor for a pacer to bowl. So on comes Lyon. Starc will have to stay put on a hat-trick.

WICKET: Mitchell Marsh ends Markram's resistance!

He's out for 143, finally. Australia are elated to break the 147-run stand. Markram walks out to a warm, well-deserved standing ovation. The move to come up to the stumps by Paine has worked well. He takes a very sharp catch standing up. With the second new ball around the corner, Australia will be sensing the kill here. South Africa still need 134 with 4 wickets in hand.

Blow for Markram

In the same over, Cummins lands a blow on Markram's elbow. It results in immediate swelling. Markram wasn't wearing an arm guard on that left hand. That would have helped. He gets some treatment, and an arm guard but Markram rejects the latter. He's ready to carry on.

This partnership, now worth 89, is bringing a lot of cheer from the crowd. How long can these two fight on?

Australia lose their second review

Cummins produces an absolute snorter out of the blue and pings a fending Markram on the helmet. It lobs up to slip and Australia were interested to see if there was some glove too. Smith uses the review after a lot of animated deliberation. But there's no spike in the Snickometer.

TON FOR MARKRAM!

What a knock! Runs out AB de Villiers and then proceeds to score a brilliant ton, a chanceless one so far against a very, very good Australian attack. He scrambles for a single on 99 and is helped by a wayward throw from mid on, puts in the dive, gets up covered in dirt and takes in the generous applause. Top knock!

And de Kock gets to his fifty off the next ball. Bright spots for South Africa.

South Africa fight on

de Kock and Markram have added a fifty-run stand with de Kock scoring a majority of the runs. Starc is starting to get some reverse swing but both batsmen are playing him well so far. Markram on the verge of a hundred as well. Good stuff from South Africa.

TEA: South Africa 167/5 chasing 416

Markram remains unbeaten on 85.

Australia lose a review

They go for catch appeal against Markram with the ball lobbing off the pad to slip. But replays confirm that there was no inside edge.

WICKET: Hazlewood breaks the stand

The partnership was worth 87 when de Bruyn poked out to get an edge through to Paine. The change of ball has worked in the second innings as well for Australia.

Chance missed!

Paine doesn't go for a catch as de Bruyn slashes against Starc and edges. But that's not all. de Bruyn is getting under Starc's skin with two beautiful drives in the same over. Lot of words exchanged but the duo are nonplussed.

54 runs in 14 overs after Lunch. It has been a good hour for South Africa.

Fifty for Markram

He's been the lone batsman offering a fight for South Africa. Gets to his third fifty after lofting Lyon down the ground. South Africa still a far way away from any safety.

LUNCH: South Africa 63/4, chasing 416

WICKET: du Plessis' stumps sent cartwheeling

Pat Cummins gets into the act. Comes closer to the stumps and breaches du Plessis' defence to uproot the off stump. Four down for 49, and it seems like curtains for South Africa.

WICKET: de Villiers is run out for duck!

Big, big blow for South Africa. Markram turns one behind square, takes a few steps out and turns AB back. But by then Warner has swooped around and fired a throw to the bowler to catch AB way short. South Africa staring down the barrel.

WICKET: Hazlewood still has the wood over Amla!

That's the sixth time that Hazlewood has bagged Amla in Tests. This time Amla is pinged on the front pad after walking slightly across. The LBW decision is given after a long deliberation by Dharmasena. Amla reviews in optimism but to no avail. South Africa lose their second.

WICKET: Starc draws first blood

Dean Elgar is surprised by some extra bounce outside the off stump. He fends at it and gets a thin edge to the keeper.

WICKET: Australia finish with 416

Keshav Maharaj ends with a four-wicket haul as Cummins drags one onto the stumps. A massive target set for South Africa. What will their approach be? We'll wait and watch.

Right then, set for the first ball to be bowled on Day 4. Here's Morkel to Hazlewood.

"No declaration from Australia - Pat Cummins has just been having a few easy throwdowns on the outfield, and now Morne Morkel has come out in his full whites. The wind has switched around which could bring some cloudy weather later, but there is no rain forecast and it's bright and sunny at the moment," says Tristan Holme from the venue.

The good news for the hosts is that their injured opener Dean Elgar is expected to open the batting as usual in their second innings despite suffering a dislocated finger yesterday. Here's how it happened.

Here's how the pitch looks like ahead of Day 4, in Durban:

Late strikes, led by Morne Morkel's three-fer, saw Australia slip from a comfortable 146 for 3 to 209 for 9 in the final session of Day 3. Having said, they have secured a lead of 402 already and virtually batted the hosts out of the contest. Australia reached 213 for 9 before bad light stopped play prematurely, How much more you think they can they add on Day 4 before South Africa start their battle to salvage this game? If you missed yesterday's action, here's our report.

Hello and welcome back! Day 4 of the Durban Test is upon us.

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Starc's 5 for 34 kept South Africa to 162 in their first innings. © Getty

Bad light stops play; Australia lead by 402

The light has faded out rapidly, as is the norm in Durban. Australia still have one wicket left but have a comfortable lead now. Doubt if we'll get any further play today. South Africa have had a pretty good day with the ball, but that big first innings deficit means that their efforts might still go in vain. Australia sitting pretty.

And it's stumps officially for the day.

WICKET: Third for Morkel

Morkel has bowled his best spell of the match and bit of away movement does Lyon in. He slashes and edges to first slip.

WICKET: Morkel gets another

Starc spoons a catch off a full ball to short cover. Australia lead by 396 now.

WICKET: Morkel gets a wicket

Australia are seven down now and Morne Morkel finally gets a wicket. Angled away from over the wicket and Marsh edges it to the slip cordon. We could see South Africa batting very soon.

TEA: Paine falls before the break

The curse before a session break continues. Paine is caught at slip against Maharaj. But Australia lead by 364.

Shaun Marsh survives a review

Another big appeal from Maharaj. Marsh tries to play across his body, with a shuffle, but misses the ball. The impact is deemed umpire's call, and so too with the ball hitting the stumps. Not out stays and South Africa will hold onto their review as well.

WICKET: Rabada bags Mitchell Marsh

South Africa are striking regularly now but Australia have run on the board, a lot of them. Mitchell Marsh, Australia's first innings hero, edges to slip off Rabada. Australia lead by 345 now with five wickets left.

WICKET: Smith falls to Elgar

Big bowling change from du Plessis. Elgar comes on and strikes in his first over. Smith goes for a sweep, misses and reviews but to no avail.

Smith survives a review

An LBW appeal against Maharaj looked really close but umpire S Ravi doesn't give it out. South Africa go for a review, but the close call is ruled umpire's call for impact. Big call, and one that has room for more reviewing. South Africa are not happy with it.

Australia in control

The lead is building on at a good clip, and it's difficult to see South Africa making a comeback in this match.

LUNCH: Australia 112/3, lead by 301

WICKET: Bancroft falls to Maharaj

His figures don't tell the full story but Maharaj has been troubling the batsmen in the air today. He gets Bancroft after beating him in the air to have him stumped. Out for 53, Australia lead by 297.

Fifty for Bancroft

Gets there with a nice pull shot off Morkel. This has been a knock full of confidence and leads Australia's charge.

WICKET: Khawaja falls as well

He tries a reverse sweep against Maharaj but gets a glove on it. Umpire S Ravi didn't spot it at first but South Africa get the decision in their favour after a review.

WICKET: Rabada gets Warner

He was trying to be very aggressive but falls now in that bid. Tries to pull a shortish ball hard but finds the man at widish mid on.

Fifty partnership up

Bancroft and Warner have been busy straightaway and the 50-run stand comes in quick time. This is slipping away, and fast, from South Africa. The lead is now worth 240.

Crucial for South Africa to keep Australia to as low as possible in their second innings. Remember, they already have a headstart of 189! Here we go.. all set for Day 3. South African team in a huddle.. out walk Cameron Bancroft and David Warner. Morne Morkel with the ball. He begins with a maiden.

Here's how the pitch on Day 3 looks like:

After a bittersweet day out in the middle, where he top-scored with 71 not out in his team's dismal batting show, AB de Villiers said he's hoping to prolong his Test career for as long as possible.

The visitors dominated the proceedings on Day 2 both with the bat earlier and then will the ball, to secure a massive, probably even decisive, 189-run first innings lead. Mitchell Marsh was the hero with the bat, chipping in a valuable 96 with the bat, mostly batting with the tail. That proved crucial as Mitchell Starc then shone with the ball to wrap up the hosts' first innings for just 162. ABD was the lone warrior there, finishing unbeaten on 71. If you missed the action on second day, here's our day report.

Hello and welcome to Day 3 of this first Test between South Africa and Australia.

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Keshav Maharaj removed Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh to pull South Africa back into the contest. © AFP

INNINGS BREAK: Starc gets five; Australia lead by 189

Mitchell Starc finishes with a five-wicket haul and Australia earn a massive lead. South Africa had a few moments throughout the day but it was Australia's day completely. Starc had a great day with both bat and ball after Mitchell Marsh's 96 while Lyon provided the early, important breakthroughs.

It's stumps on day two with that last wicket. It's hard to envisage a fightback from South Africa from this position but they'll try their best in the second innings which will start on a fresh morning. Join us then!

WICKET: Hazlewood joins the party

The eighth wicket is down as Hazlewood bowls Maharaj for a duck. 159/8 now and in dire straits.

WICKET: Starc gets his third

No doubts about this one. Full again from round the wicket, with a hint of reverse swing. Philander is squared up and the outside edge is taken neatly low down by Paine.

de Villiers continues to wage a lone battle with his fifty.

Australia lose a review

Steve Smith pushes for an appeal to go upstairs despite no one else joining him in appeal. It was for a caught behind against Philander but replays show no confirmation of an edge.

WICKET: Lyon strikes again

Quinton de Kock departs as well. A quicker one from Lyon goes past de Kock's defence and strikes the off stump. Australia are in complete control.

WICKET: Starc gets another

The reverse swing is doing the trick for Starc. Theunis de Bruyn edges one now to the keeper. Australia looking at a massive lead with that wicket. South Africa still behind by 243.

WICKET: Starc strikes

Reverse swing comes into play now. Mitchell Starc exploits it from round the wicket and has du Plessis edging behind to the 'keeper. This innings too, just like Australia's has been bereft of any momentum. The bowling has been of very high quality.

WICKET: Cummins gets Markram before Tea

A short ball from Cummins has Markram hopping and fending a simple catch to short leg. South Africa trail by 296 at Tea.

WICKETS: Lyon gets Elgar and Amla!

Spin strikes again. Lyon gets a wicket off just his second ball. Elgar gets a leading edge which is snaffled up by the bowler himself. But he's not done with that. Amla too is gone in the same over, a bit of extra bounce does him in and he's caught at short leg. Two wickets in his first over for Lyon, and Australia in a great position now!

INNINGS BREAK: Five for Maharaj

Australia have been bowled out for 351. Nathan Lyon becomes Maharaj's fifth victim of the innings. Australia will be happy with the total that they eventually finished with, thanks to Mitchell Marsh and an enterprising lower order. The pitch, however, doesn't hold any demons. South Africa will fancy their chances when they come out to bat in a short while.

WICKET: Mitchell Marsh falls for 96

Agonising for Marsh. Drags Philander to mid on just four short of his ton. But this has been a terrific knock from the all-rounder. He's given Australia more than a competitive total now.

Marsh fights on

He's scoring some very important runs for Australia and is getting close to a hundred as well. Australia going well past 300 now and can possibly go past 350 as well if Marsh stays longer.

WICKET: Maharaj gets Starc before Lunch

Maharaj gets his fourth wicket in the last over before Lunch. Australia go in at 300/8.

Fifty for Mitch Marsh

It has been a fighting knock from Marsh. Australia will value this knock highly.

WICKET: Maharaj gets Cummins

The one that doesn't turn does the trick. Cummins plonks forward in defence but is beaten through the gate. Maharaj gets his third and Australia slip to 251/7.

Second new ball taken, Rabada strikes!

End of a 60-run stand between Paine and Mitch Marsh. The second new ball has extra zip and bounce straightaway. Paine slashes outside off and gets a thick edge through to the 'keeper.

ICYMI: Keshav Maharaj looked very impressive on the opening day after a not-so-good time against India. Check out what our South Africa correspondent, Tristan Holme, wrote, here

Btw, the floodlights are on already...

Warming Up

The pitch at the Kingsmead, Durban wasn't the quickest and understandably, the pacers don't enjoy much in such conditions. However, Vernon Philander adjusted his lengths beautifully to extract movement and nip out a couple of wickets. Although, Kagiso Rabada didn't feel that he bowled that well personally, he did quite well to hit the high 140s and trouble the batsmen. Australia's David Warner and Steven Smith, both got fifties but couldn't kick on. Keshav Maharaj was glad to pick up two wickets too. So, if you got the indications, quite clearly, everyone was kept interested on this wicket.

The hosts would feel they are slightly ahead but then it's only slightly. Key would be the partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Tim Paine. It appears to be an overcast morning, in fact there was some overnight rain too. That will get the Proteas interested. Watch out for an exciting morning session...

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South Africa will look to put behind their poor form in limited overs cricket and get back to winning ways in the first Test versus Australia © AFP

Bad light stops play

With 14 overs left in the day, bad light has stopped play. Mitchell Marsh and Paine have added 48 for the sixth wicket so far. With light receding quickly in Durban, it won't be a surprise if this is the end of the day but we'll wait for some official confirmation soon.

Luck for Paine

Two consecutive full tosses from Theunis de Bruyn goes awfully close to catchers but Paine survives. Important little stand building between Paine and Mitchell Marsh at the moment. Australia have gone past 200.

WICKET: Maharaj gets Marsh

Another Australian batsman fails to convert a start. Marsh edges to slip and Maharaj gets his second wicket of the day. South Africa keeping a tight check on the run-making.

Tea: Australia 170/4

WICKET: Maharaj gets Smith!

The unthinkable has happened. Smith is dismissed *early*. He edges a cut shot against Maharaj, and the ball loops up off de Kock's thigh to de Villiers at slip. Huge wicket for South Africa. Australia in a spot of bother at 151/4.

Lucky break for Marsh

Rabada strikes Marsh on the pads with a full delivery from round the wicket. It's turned down by Dharmasena but the ball-tracker shows that it was hitting leg stump. No reviews left for South Africa.

Fifty for Smith

There it comes. It's almost inevitable with this man. It's his 24th Test fifty. He's now got a fifty in every series that he has played in!

WICKET: Philander gets Warner for 51!

Big breakthrough for South Africa, and one that comes completely against the run of play. Warner nicks Philander and is caught sharply at second slip by AB de Villiers.

FIFTY FOR WARNER

Gets to his 28th Test fifty with a powerful cut shot against Philander. It's his sixth successful Test fifty in South Africa. That golden run continues!

Australia sitting pretty

Both Warner and Smith have found their groove. The runs are coming at a good clip as well. With the pitch not offering much, this could be a long haul for South Africa.

Rabada vs Smith. Now!

WICKET: Rabada strikes!

He strikes in his first over. Has Khawaja pushing out and nicking behind where de Kock takes a stunning one-handed catch to his left. Extra pace, great angle and Rabada is making his presence felt early.

South Africa lose their 2nd review!

Maharaj has a great start to his spell. Strikes Warner on the pad with a big turner in. It looked a very close shout on first sight but the ball-tracker shows that this was turning past the leg stump!

WICKET: Philander gets Bancroft

Well, well! Bancroft walks down the track in a bid to intimidate Philander but the latter corrects his length and line, going a touch wider. Bancroft is still left poking and edges through to the 'keeper.

Where's the green?

Against India, green tops were the norm in South Africa. The Durban here for Australia looks close to a sub-continent one. No pace, not much bounce and zero lateral movement.

South Africa lose a review

Morne Morkel pushes for a LBW review against Cameron Bancroft but South Africa lose it. Full, angling in and hitting Bancroft on the knee roll. The ball is projected to be going over leg stump. A review lost in the first over!

"You get two winds here in Durban: one that blows up the coast and can bring cloud and rain, and the other that blows down the coastline and brings good weather. We're scheduled to have the latter here for most of the Test. After a cloudy morning we now have some pleasant sunshine, although it's always muggy here so there should be some swing for the bowlers up front," says Tristan Holme.

Warner vs South Africa's quicks is a mouth-watering battle first up. Coming soon!

Toss: Australia opt to bat

South Africa have left out Lungi Ngidi from the team that played their last Test. Theunis de Bruyn comes in his place.

South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Theunis de Bruyn, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine(w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Build up

Any contest between arch-rivals - South Africa and Australia - evokes passion among fans. The two sides have a storied rivalry marked by intense contests.The traces of the fierce rivalry can be found even if you jog your memory down the lane to 1950s as an inexperienced South African side - without the services of Eric and Athol Rowan, Dudley Nourse and Tufty Mann - drew a five-match series versus Australia 2-2 under Cheetham's leadership in 1952-53.

Even in the recent past, the two sides have been a part of a few thrilling series. In 2013-14, Ryan Harris, despite suffering from a knee injury, helped Australia to eke out a memorable win in Cape Town by dismissing Steyn and Morkel as the visitors won the rubber 2-1. South Africa returned the favour by defeating Australia 2-1 in 2016-17.

Fast-forward to the present day. The two teams will again go head-to-head in the first Test of the four-match series in Durban on March 1. Both teams have imposing pace attacks on paper. In addition to it, with the likes of AB de Villiers, Steve Smith, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla and David Warner playing for their respective sides, there are enough world class batsmen in the fray.

South Africa slipped to series defeats in both T20s and ODIs versus India. But, it has to be remembered they won the Test series versus the same opponent. On the other hand, Australia thumped their traditional rivals, England, by a 4-0 margin, in the Ashes. So who has the upper hand? South Africa? Australia?

On a side note, it is interesting to observe that South Africa haven't beaten Australia in a Test series at home since their readmission to international cricket in 1991. On the other hand, South Africa haven't lost a Test series in Australia since 2008-09.

Toss and teams in a while...

You can check our preview for the series.

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