Australia's 300-wicket quartet puts visitors in full control in Durban

Australia tightened their grip on the first Test against South Africa in Durban on 11 October, bowling the hosts out for 284 before reaching 33 without loss when bad light stopped play on day three.

That left South Africa trailing by 139 runs, with Australia well placed in this five-day contest to push for a series-opening win. The lead was built on a first-innings total of 390, shaped by Matt Renshaw's 190 and Pat Cummins' 43, while Wiaan Mulder took 4 for 68 for South Africa ESPNcricinfo.

The story of the day was Australia's attack. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Nathan Lyon are the only four bowlers with 300 Test wickets each to play together in the same team in Test history The Guardian. All four are over 33. They have now played 38 Tests together as a group, a record for frontline bowlers.

Nine of South Africa's wickets fell to that quartet. South Africa had resumed on 27 for 1, chasing Australia's 390, and the morning set the pattern.

Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton early. Starc then dismissed Aiden Markram for 37. Markram had added 50 with David Bedingham for the second wicket, a stand that briefly steadied the innings.

Bedingham looked the most settled South African batter. He made 49 before Cummins dismissed him. Captain Temba Bavuma fell in unusual fashion, caught at slip — the close catching position behind the batter — while attempting a reverse-sweep against Lyon, a shot played across the body to the opposite side.

Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs then added 55 together and lifted the home crowd. Both reached the 30s. Both fell to Cummins. Kyle Verreynne was the last recognised batter to go, caught by Steve Smith.

Smith's catch mattered for another reason. It took him back to the top of Test cricket's all-time catching list. He now has 223 Test catches, and 150 of those have come from the bowling of Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon The Guardian.

Australia had earlier needed a rescue act of their own. Renshaw and Cummins shared a rearguard partnership on day one to stabilise the innings after early trouble, before bad light cut the opening day short.

What makes this stand out is the staying power. Fast bowlers rarely last together this long. To have three quicks plus a spinner, all past 33, all still taking wickets in the same Test, is without precedent. For fans, this means every spell now carries a small piece of history.