South Africa v Australia Cricket Test Day One – Rain Delay

During the first day of the South Africa versus Australia cricket test match at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, rain caused multiple interruptions to play. The Australian team was initially reduced to seven wickets due to a run-out, and play was subsequently halted by persistent rain.

What happened

• The South Africa vs. Australia cricket test match commenced at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, with South Africa winning the toss and electing to bat.
• Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman began the innings, with Markram scoring 10 runs before the first rain delay.
• Ackerman then scored his first Test run.
• Following a brief resumption, Australia’s Beau Webster was run out, reducing them to seven wickets.
• The match was then interrupted by rain, with commentators expressing frustration over the delays and suggesting a more flexible approach to scheduling to maximize playing time.
• Markram continued to score runs, accumulating 4 runs before another rain delay.
• The umpires ultimately called off play due to persistent rain, with concerns raised about the condition of the pitch and the impact of the weather on the game’s progression.

Original reporting

• BBC: South Africa v Australia
  2026-10-18T00:00:00+00:00
• Guardian: South Africa v Australia: second men’s cricket Test, day one – live
  2026-10-18T00:00:00+00:00