Cricket-Hazlewood takes six wickets as Australia win first test


FILE PHOTO: Cricket - 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final - South Africa v Australia - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 13, 2025 South Africa's Kagiso Rabada reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo

DURBAN, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Australia ⁠paceman JoshHazlewood bowled his side to a 214-run victory on the last day of the ⁠first test atKingsmead on Tuesday with South Africa's resistance ending before tea as the ‌home side were dismissed for 206.

Hazlewood took 6-49 as Australia bagged the six wickets they needed on the last day to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

He struck twice in one over with the new ball after already having ​taken two wickets on Monday and then breaking through South Africa's ⁠stoic early fightback on Tuesday.

The 35-year-oldHazlewood ⁠also removed the last batsman to ensure the victory in the first clash between the teams since ⁠South ‌Africa upset Australia in last year's World Test Championship final at Lord's in London.

South Africa held out for the first 110 minutes of Tuesday's play before a legside delivery from ⁠Hazlewood was edged by Wiaan Mulder and snagged by a diving ​catch from wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Mulder ‌and Aiden Markram resumed at 102-4 overnight and the pair extended the fifth-wicket partnership ⁠to a patient 69 ​runs off 205 balls before Hazlewood's breakthrough with Mulder making 29.

Part-time spinner Matt Renshaw, who was the man of the match for Australia with the bat, then took a second test wicket when KyleVerreynne quickly followed Mulder ⁠back to the change room with a reckless shot ​that saw him caught at slip by Steve Smith without scoring.

South Africa were 166-6 at lunch and added 25 runs before the new ball was taken but crumbled quickly thereafter.

Jansen was bowled by Hazlewood for ⁠35 and three balls later Simon Harmer followed as he brushed the ball through to Carey with his glove.

Markram then fell after a patient 75 off 237 balls, edging Mitch Starc's delivery off his pads to be caught behind but was only given out after a television review.

Hazlewood then completed the ​win as tailender Anrich Nortje popped up the ball to short ⁠midwicket for Nathan Lyon to catch.

Former Australia captain Smith, who did not field in Monday's late session after ​a blow to the head while batting, returned to action ‌on Tuesday.

"Steve Smith has undergone a series of clinical ​assessments over the past 24 hours in accordance with Cricket Australia's concussion protocols and has been cleared to take the field this morning," a statement said.

(Editing by Christian Radnedge)

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