Josh Hazlewood delivered a reminder of his enduring value to Australian cricket on the fifth day of the Durban Test, claiming a career-best 6 for 49 to bowl South Africa out for 206 and secure a 214-run victory. The performance underscored why, despite the emergence of Scott Boland as a capable alternative, Hazlewood remains the automatic choice when fit—a question that resurfaces after every standout Boland display in recent seasons.
Australia took a 1–0 lead in the three-match series with this victory, moving into a commanding position after a tightly contested opening Test. The win came after Matt Renshaw was named Player of the Match following his contributions of 190 in Australia's first innings and 82 in the second, demonstrating the team's collective strength across both batting and bowling.
Boland possesses the quality for a permanent Test berth and might have influenced proceedings had he been selected. However, in the side that took the field, Hazlewood proved indispensable as South Africa mounted resistance against Australia's other bowlers. Mitchell Starc, despite his brilliant form in recent seasons, experienced a noticeable dip in accuracy. While he bowled better around the wicket, he lacked the swerving reverse swing that had troubled batsmen during his previous visit to the ground. Over the wicket, he frequently strayed too steeply across right-handers or down the leg side. Pat Cummins bowled competently but generated little danger in the second innings, his sole success coming from Tristan Stubbs' loose drive. Nathan Lyon extracted some assistance from the pitch and conceded nothing from his overs, yet he was defended capably and finished without a wicket. On three separate occasions, Australia required a breakthrough from somewhere. Hazlewood provided it each time.
The decisive moment arrived when Aiden Markram and David Bedingham appeared entirely at ease. Hazlewood responded with a perfectly pitched nip-backer that struck Bedingham's pad so clearly in front that the batter departed without requesting a review. From a precarious 73 for 1, Australia engineered a collapse that saw South Africa slip to 86 for 4.
The following morning, South Africa reasserted control. Markram, a fourth-innings specialist with two centuries against Australia in three prior attempts, looked immovable. Wiaan Mulder defended with meticulous compactness and clarity. They accumulated runs without playing reckless shots, and occasional testing deliveries, including another nip-backer that nearly removed Markram's off stump, failed to dislodge them. They gave every indication of being capable of batting for a draw should bad light force an early finish.
After 25 overs of demanding bowling on the day, Australia needed a breakthrough. Hazlewood's success was not merely a matter of fortune when a catch went down the leg side. Bowling with a ball that had completed 66 overs, he introduced a leg slip to create an additional dismissal avenue while targeting the pads. Mulder identified that line and attempted to flick square. Minimal reverse movement kept the ball tailing towards leg stump. His flick became an inside edge, and Alex Carey claimed a one-handed catch diving left.
Skill had broken the most stubborn partnership, spanning 32 overs and 69 runs, with Mulder having batted beyond two hours for 29. That breakthrough allowed Matt Renshaw to extract a flirty edge from a decidedly less stubborn Kyle Verreyne in the next over. Then came another period of obstinacy. Markram entered a zone, his footwork precise for the most reliable defence, collecting occasional singles like a prisoner hoarding bottle caps to maintain sanity. Marco Jansen permitted himself to strike loose balls but endeavoured to remain disciplined.
Another 17 overs passed, and another wave of concern swept through the Australian camp about an early finish. Another Hazlewood spell was required, this time with a fresh ball. The one that nips back. This time, the length proved perfect. Jansen, on 35, attempted to defend on the front foot, and the faintest gap appeared. The ball threaded through to off stump. Simon Harmer, a county professional as gnarled as a ti-tree with a couple of first-class centuries and 36 fifties to his name, entered. He departed three balls later, edging a horrible lifter. Hazlewood had five.
At eight down in the 85th over, with 201 on the board, the double strike proved the moment when Markram's resolve crumbled. He inside-edged Starc in the next over, having batted two minutes shy of six hours for his 75, and will surely exert greater influence as the series progresses. Hazlewood claimed Nortje caught at midwicket to secure both the match and his personal milestone.
In the process, Hazlewood ascended a significant stretch of the Test wickets list. His 6-49, taken from 16.5 overs, marked his 15th Test five-wicket haul and surpassed his previous best of 6-67 against India in Bengaluru in 2017. He passed Yorkshire legend Fred Trueman on 307 wickets, local favourite Morne Morkel alongside West Indies spinner Lance Gibbs on 309, and the explosive Brett Lee on 310, levelling the Indian pair of Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan on 311. In Australian terms, he stands three wickets behind Mitchell Johnson. Ahead of him remain only Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne, along with his three current colleagues. Fitness permitting, the next Test could feature four of Australia's top seven wicket-takers in the same team. However, fast bowling demands fitness above all else, and Boland, with 82 wickets to his name, will be required soon enough.
Hazlewood's return from injury
Hazlewood had only recently returned from a long-term injury in August, which had kept him out of the previous summer's Ashes. His availability for this series represented a significant boost to Australia's bowling attack, and his performance in Durban vindicated the decision to select him despite his recent absence from international cricket.
Australia's first-innings recovery
Australia's path to victory was far from straightforward. The team had slumped to 124 for 6 on the first day before Renshaw's exceptional 190 rescued the innings and provided the foundation for a competitive total. His second-innings contribution of 82 further demonstrated his importance to the team's success in this series.
What happens next
With the opening Test secured, Australia will look to extend their series advantage in the remaining two matches. The three-match series continues, with Australia holding the crucial 1–0 lead as they prepare for the next encounter.
Key Facts
- Hazlewood took 6 for 49 from 16.5 overs, his career-best Test figures and 15th five-wicket haul
- Australia won by 214 runs to take a 1–0 series lead in the three-match contest
- Matt Renshaw was named Player of the Match after scoring 190 and 82 across the two innings
- Hazlewood has now taken 311 Test wickets, levelling Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan on the all-time list
- The fast bowler returned to international cricket in August after a long-term injury that ruled him out of the previous Ashes series
