Australia wrap up first Test in Durban
It took 17 minutes and 22 balls on the fifth day for Australia to take the final South African wicket and wrap up the first Test in Durban on Monday.
Mitchell Starc bowled the first over of the day to Quinton de Kock (81 not out) looking for a hat-trick, a ‘fifer’ and ten wickets in the match.
However it was Josh Hazlewood that delivered the coup de grace when he trapped De Kock in front for 83, leaving Morne Morkel stranded at the other end on three off 38 balls.
The Proteas were 298 all out to lose by 118 runs as the Aussies go one-nil in the four-match series that now moves to Port Elizabeth for the second Test that starts on Friday.
The home side will be concerned that their experienced batsmen did not score enough runs but should also take comfort from the fact that younger members of the team in Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn and De Kock showed some fight.
Markram scored 143 while De Bruyn stood tall to Starc and company when faced with a barrage of verbals.
Starc was named player of the match for his match figures of 9-109.
The visitors are on track to maintain their unbeaten record, having never lost a Test series in South Africa.
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