Star pacer Josh Hazlewood claimed six wickets to guide Australia to a comprehensive 214-run win against South Africa on Day 5 of the first Test at Kingsmead on Tuesday.
Pacer Hazlewood twice broke promising partnerships and finished with 6/49.
The hosts, set 421 runs to win, were bowled out for 206 in the first Test series between the teams in South Africa since the 2018 sandpaper scandal.
Opener Aiden Markram battled for just under six hours, scoring 75 before becoming South Africa’s ninth wicket, caught behind off an inside edge against Mitchell Starc.
The last four wickets fell for five runs in the space of 16 balls against the second new ball.
Markram and Wiaan Mulder (29) were untroubled as they batted through the first 110 minutes of the day.
But a double bowling change brought two wickets.
Mulder was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Alex Carey off Hazlewood for 29 after a 139-minute knock during which he faced 110 deliveries.
Player of the Match Matt Renshaw was brought on to bowl his off-spin in the next over and struck with his first ball, dismissing Kyle Verreynne for one. The Protea wicketkeeper edged a forcing shot at a wide ball to Steve Smith at slip.
Renshaw continued his dream game, having top-scored in both innings with 190 and 82 before claiming his maiden Test wicket by dismissing South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma on Monday.
It was Smith’s fifth catch of a game in which he became the world record-holder for most catches by a fielder in Tests.
Smith was back in action after being off the field at the beginning of South Africa’s innings on Monday after a blow to the head while batting.
Marco Jansen scored 35 and shared a 45-run partnership with Markram before Hazlewood bowled him in the fourth over with the second new ball. Three deliveries later, Simon Harmer gloved a rising ball through to Carey.
Australia were in trouble at 124/6 on the first day but dominated the rest of the game after Renshaw steered them to a first-innings total of 390.
(With AFP Inputs)
