Player ratings from Australia’s first Test win over South Africa in Durban

ALL the talk has been about the on and off-field niggle in Durban, but Australia’s dominant performance in the first Test should not be overlooked. We RATE every Aussie.

Mitch Marsh’s first-innings 96 set the game up for Australia.

ALL the talk has been about the on and off-field niggle in Durban, but Australia’s dominant performance in the first Test should not be overlooked. We rate every Aussie.

DAVID WARNER 7

Made an impressive 50 in his first red ball match since the New Year and executed the crucial run-out of AB de Villiers with a rocket arm. His Test has been overshadowed by a series of heated exchanges with South Africa.

Usman Khawaja’s overseas record must improve.

CAMERON BANCROFT 7

Question marks were being asked about his position in the side after a first innings failure, but the young West Australian fought back well with a stoic half century to solidify his place.

USMAN KHAWAJA 4

Got a ripping delivery from Kagiso Rabada in the first dig, but Khawaja’s well-documented issues with spin bowling resurfaced in the second dig with an ugly dismissal. Overseas record needs to improve.

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STEVE SMITH 7

Ultra-consistent as always, Smith didn’t go on with the big scores that have become so automatic, but still looked a class above.

SHAUN MARSH 7

Has been a vital cog in ending Australia’s penchant for crippling collapses. Didn’t shoot the lights out but rock solid.

Mitch Marsh’s first-innings 96 set the game up for Australia.

MITCHELL MARSH 9

Didn’t quite get over the line for a hundred, but this was arguably Marsh’s finest performance. If not for his ability to lead the tail Australia would have finished at least 100 runs shy in the first innings and the match would have been completely different.

TIM PAINE 7

The standards of Australia’s keeping and energy in the field has lifted since Paine came into the side and his sharp catch to remove Aiden Markram on day four was absolutely critical. Standing up to the stumps to Mitchell Marsh, Paine’s skill ended any chance of a South African comeback.

PAT CUMMINS 7

Delivery to knock over Faf du Plessis’ off-stump in the second innings was as good a ball as you’ll see in Test cricket. Brutal.

MITCHELL STARC 9

No fast bowler in world cricket can devastate quite like Starc. With the old ball he’s unstoppable and tail-enders find him unplayable.

Mitchell Starc’s late spells were pure destruction.

JOSH HAZLEWOOD 7

Can often fly under the radar compared to Starc and Cummins, but Hazlewood is the beating heart of the attack. Scarcely misses a beat.

NATHAN LYON 8

Was responsible for getting the ball rolling in the first innings with the key wickets of Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla. Lyon might be a slow bowler, but he’s an enforcer.

Originally published as Player ratings from Australia’s first Test win over South Africa in Durban