South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Day 1: Live score and updates from Durban

Download AppNewsSportsCricketSouth Africa vs Australia 1st Test Day 1: Live score and updates from DurbanLive blogSouth Africa vs Australia 1st Test Day 1 Live score: Australia return to South African shores to play a Test match for the first time since Sandpaper Gate controversy. Will tempers flare again? Check out the live updates from the game at Durban.South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Day 1 Live Score. (Reuters Photo) Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Day 1 of the opening Test match between South Africa and Australia from Durban. 12:51 IST:Let's hear from the other camp - Alex Carey says that the build-up has been good, and they also played an ODI here in Durban a few days ago, and he's excited for this Test series. He then talks about the pitch, saying that it looks good, and he generally tries to stay positive with regard to the pitch, and hopes that there are runs in this deck. On the changes in the teams, Carey says that with Cameron Green being out with an injury, it changes things, and it's been 10 years since Nic Maddison has played and he's matured in those years, and fingers crossed that those coming into the team will have a positive impact. Carey goes on to talk a bit more about Nic, and mentions that it's all about what you do when life throws curveballs at you, and he has massive respect for Nic, and it's no surprise that he's in the baggy green. Carey ends by saying that it's an early start and everyone was excited to be on the early bus, apart from Nathan Lyon, and hopes that it shapes up to be a fantastic series.12:50 IST:A quick chat - Natalie Germanos has caught up with the head coach of South Africa, Shukri Conrad. Shukri shares that the preparations have gone well. Mentions that the focus has been on freshening up the players after the ODI leg while ensuring they have put in the required work. Overall, he is happy with how the preparations have gone. On David Bedingham batting at number 3, Conrad says the position has seen a few different players, but Bedingham has done well whenever he has featured for South Africa. He feels the batter is underrated and was a key figure in their run to the WTC final. Conrad adds that Bedingham enjoys batting higher up the order and comes into the Test in good form, making him a natural fit for the role.12:35 IST:Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (WK), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.12:35 IST:South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (C), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje.12:38 IST:The skipper of South Africa - Temba Bavuma says he would have batted first as well, describing the wicket as a good one and noting that the weather is favourable. Adds that they will now have to do the job with the ball, looking to exploit whatever moisture there is on the surface. On the team combination, Bavuma says the twin spinners add a different dimension to the attack, and he hopes the conditions will suit them. Asked about Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, Bavuma says Rabada is close to returning and that his absence from this Test was a conservative decision. Ngidi, however, is in a different situation. Bavuma says they are excited to have Anrich Nortje back in the side and believes he will relish the opportunity.12:40 IST:The captain of Australia - Pat Cummins opts to bat first and talks about the surface, citing that there is a bit of grass and that, overall, it looks like a good surface. Cummins then goes on to say that there has been a good rivalry between the two teams in the last few years, and it's good to be back in South Africa, playing a Test match after so long. On being asked about the team, he says that Cameron Green is missing out due to an injury and Nic Maddinson takes his place in the XI, and Cummins also mentions that they feel Nic has settled in nicely. Cummins also mentions that competition for places, citing the example of the likes of Michael Neser and Scott Boland, who are unable to get a place in the playing XI.