Australia Opt to Bat on Day 1 of Kingsmead Test Against South Africa
The highly anticipated series opener between the top two World Test Championship contenders began today in Durban.
The story
The first Test of Australia's tour of South Africa commenced today at Kingsmead, with Australia winning the toss and electing to bat first. This series is a crucial encounter between the top two teams in the current World Test Championship standings.
Both sides are without key players, with South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada sidelined due to a hamstring issue, and Australia missing all-rounder Cameron Green due to an abdominal injury. The match marks the first Test meeting between the two nations since South Africa's victory in the 2025 World Test Championship final.
Latest results
| Match | Format | Result | Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain vs Kuwait | T20 | Bahrain won by 6 wickets | Asif Ali (Bahrain) 89 (48), Ali Dawood (Bahrain) 3/14 |
| Mongolia vs Thailand | T20 | Thailand won by 183 runs | Result details not available yet |
| Qatar vs Myanmar | T20 | Qatar won by 9 wickets | Result details not available yet |
| Afghanistan vs Bangladesh | Test | Day 1 - Bangladesh 89/0 (16 overs) | Tanzid Hasan (Bangladesh) 62 (47) |
| South Africa vs Australia | Test | Day 1 - Play in progress | Australia won the toss and opted to bat |
| Oman vs Canada | ODI | Play in progress | Score not available yet |
| China vs Hong Kong, China | T20 | Result not available yet | |
| Malaysia vs Saudi Arabia | T20 | Play in progress | Score not available yet |
| Maldives vs Singapore | T20 | Result not available yet |
Series in play
Australia tour of South Africa, 2026. 1st Test, Day 1 in progress (Australia won toss, opted to bat)
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh in UAE, 2026. One-off Test, Day 1 concluded (Bangladesh 89/0)
West Indies tour of India, 2026. India leads the T20I series 1-0; 2nd T20I scheduled today
Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan, 2026. 1st T20I scheduled today
Tables that matter
| Competition | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 | 1. Australia (87.50% PCT), 2. South Africa | A crucial series for both teams in the race for the 2027 final. |
| ICC Men's Test Team Rankings | 1. Australia, 2. South Africa | The top two ranked Test teams are currently playing a bilateral series. |
What we'll be watching
- India vs West Indies [T20I], 2nd T20I, today (2026-10-09T13:30Z) at JSCA International Stadium Complex
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka [T20I], 1st T20I, today (2026-10-09T15:00Z) at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- Day 2 of the 1st Test between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead
- Day 2 of the One-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
- Namibia vs United Arab Emirates in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two, today (2026-10-09T15:00Z) at Grand Prairie Stadium
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