Photo via CricketAddictor

Australia create unwanted history with first all-30-plus Test XI

Australia scripted a historic yet challenging start in the opening Test against South Africa in Durban, deploying the oldest Test XI in nearly a century. Every player in the lineup was at least 30 years old, with an average age of 34.59—a record for the team since the 1920s.

The visitors faced early setbacks, losing two wickets for just 28 runs in the first 12 overs, as South Africa’s pace attack led by Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen dominated. Nic Maddinson, returning after nearly a decade, was dismissed for a duck in 33 balls, marking the third-longest such innings by an opener in Test history.

Meanwhile, Travis Head fell for nine, and Marnus Labuschagne endured a sharp bouncer from Nortje while attempting to stabilize the innings alongside Steve Smith. South Africa’s absence of Kagiso Rabada due to injury further shaped the matchup, with the hosts relying on a spin-friendly approach featuring Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.

Up nextCricket· 29m ago

'He was the same on and off screen' - Basit Ali remembers late Nana Patekar's years of friendship and support