9, 2026. (AP Photo) Australia’s Steven Smith takes evasive action against a raising ball on day one of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Friday, Oct.
Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat, with Australia’s playing XI having an average age of 34.59. As quoted by News18, it was the seventh-oldest Test XI of all time and the oldest in around 100 years, according to cricket statistician Ric Finlay. At 38, spinner Nathan Lyon was the oldest member of the side, while Matt Renshaw, 30, was the youngest. Five players were aged 35 or above: Lyon, Steve Smith (37), Mitchell Starc (36), Alex Carey (35) and Josh Hazlewood (35).
Australia had won the toss and opted to bat in the first match of the three-Test World Test Championship series.
Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 37, and Smith, who made 25, steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership for the third wicket off 94 balls. Smith, who moved past Steve Waugh to become Australia’s third-highest run-scorer in men’s Tests, hit two sixes off spinner Keshav Maharaj before Jansen dismissed him after lunch.
Australia fielded the oldest playing XI in their men’s Test history in the first Test against South Africa in Durban on Friday, with all 11 players aged 30 or above. It was the first time in 149 years that an Australian men’s Test XI did not include a player in his 20s. Australia’s regular rotation of openers had ensured that the team included at least one player under 30 for months. However, that changed with the recall of Nic Maddinson, 34, for the Durban Test. Australia’s 18-member squad has an average age of around 32.6, with only three players under 30. Cooper Connolly, 23, is the youngest, followed by Cameron Green, 27, and Sam Harper, 29.