Australia set South Africa 421 to win the first Test after Cummins’ cameo and Smith’s record catches
On day four of the first Test in Durban, Australia set South Africa 421 to win after an explosive cameo from Pat Cummins, ABC reported. CODE Sports said the Australians had charged to a 400-run lead after Matt Renshaw’s fluke dismissal, and the Sydney Morning Herald said a miraculous catch by Keshav Maharaj stopped Renshaw’s century. Cricket.com.au and the Herald Sun described Steve Smith’s catches as freakish and record-setting. Nine reported that Nathan Lyon passed a milestone. We did not see the day-four closing score or the exact record Smith set.
A target above 400 in the fourth innings is almost never chased down, so the Test is likely to be settled on day five in Australia’s favour unless South Africa surprise.
If you follow the Test, day five is today. Check ABC or cricket.com.au for the result; we do not give the closing score because we did not see it.
Australia batted at the right pace and gave themselves a day to bowl South Africa out.
A faster declaration might have left more time, and South Africa still have wickets in hand.
This is Australia’s Test to lose, and a draw would be the surprise. We will report the result in the next edition.
DailyDrop Australia edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026