South Africa v Australia: first men’s cricket Test, day two – live

Here is the full report from day one of the first Test at Durban … with a little teaser to whet the appetite.

If we accept that sporting tenures are results-based, then the Australian selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide should be conferring with the coach Andrew McDonald to submit a mass resignation.

Well, well, well. Day one of the first Test was eventful, wasn’t it? If you don’t know, then you’ll need to catch up with the match report. Selection weirdness from Australia, a glimpse of the old firm of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne before a meal break got in the way, heat from Anrich Nortje, then resistance from Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins. That’s the bones of it. And all that in 65 overs because it gets dark early on the east coast of Africa in October, something that apparently is quite the surprise to local cricket authorities.

So we’ll start day two with Australia in a tricky spot, needing a fair bit more rearguarding before they can regard their rears as sufficiently guarded. All the wickets have fallen to pace so far, despite South Africa picking two spinners. Early success for South Africa’s bowlers, and Australia will be in deep, deep trouble. But if they can get from their current 187-6 to 250 or more, that might have them in the game.