Cricket: Anrich Nortje’s impressive Test cricket return hands Proteas narrow advantage over Aussies
After a three-year absence, Anrich Nortje’s pace helped reduce the visitors to 124-6, but Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw fought back with an unbeaten 63-run stand in first innings of first Test before bad light stopped play. South Africa will be hoping to pick off the rest of the Aussie batting line-up when play resumes on Saturday. At close of play, Australia, who elected to bat first, were 187-6…
After a three-year hiatus, South Africa's Anrich Nortje returned to the Test team, proving his worth with a fast-paced debut. The Proteas, who had recently secured the 2025 World Test Championship, faced Australia in their first home Test since claiming victory. Despite the absence of key bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, Nortje's quick deliveries, averaging around 145km/h, proved effective.
He dismissed wicketkeeper Alex Carey and seventh man Beau Webster within the opening over, reducing Australia to 124 for six. Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw, who had elected to bat first, batted valiantly in the first innings, forming an unbeaten 63-run partnership. However, bad light halted play just under two hours before the scheduled conclusion, leaving Australia at 187 for six.
As play resumed on Saturday, South Africa aimed to capitalize on the pair's performances, hoping to dismiss the rest of the Australian batting lineup and eventually secure a convincing victory.
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