Steve Smith Head Knock Clouds Australia's Durban Win Push

Australia are six wickets away from winning the first Test against South Africa in Durban, but a head knock to Steve Smith has clouded an otherwise dominant fourth day for the tourists.

South Africa reached stumps at 102-4 in pursuit of a world-record 421, still needing another 319 runs on the final day, after captain Pat Cummins declared Australia’s second innings at 314-6. Aiden Markram will resume on 45 alongside Wiaan Mulder on five.

Smith was struck on the helmet by an Anrich Nortje bouncer on the fourth ball of his innings. As is mandatory, he was assessed on the field by the team physio and doctor and had his helmet changed before batting on to make 27 off 41 balls, ESPNcricinfo reported. He was out caught in the deep by Marco Jansen off Simon Harmer.

The former captain did not take the field after the tea break, with Michael Neser fielding as a substitute and Beau Webster filling Smith’s usual spot at second slip. According to cricket.com.au, Smith watched the final three hours from the Australian viewing room and will continue to be assessed over the next 24 hours as a precaution.

Smith yet to be diagnosed with concussion

As of Monday afternoon in Durban, Smith had not been diagnosed with concussion, ESPNcricinfo reported, with a further update expected on Tuesday. If he is diagnosed, he would need to be symptom-free for a period before being available for selection again, with the second Test starting in Gqeberha on Sunday, October 18.

“I’ve not seen him since I’ve been off the pitch so I’m hoping he’s okay,” Webster said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “He obviously copped a nasty knock in the head there but wishing him all the best. And hopefully he’s back out with us either tomorrow or in the next Test.”

ESPNcricinfo noted Australia have no real need for a concussion substitute for the rest of this Test, as Smith has finished his batting role. Josh Inglis, who missed the opening Test with a fractured finger, has rejoined the squad and had a bat on Monday, while Cooper Connolly is the other spare batter in the touring party.

Matt Renshaw followed his first-innings 190 with 82 off 99 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, before Keshav Maharaj took a sharp return catch, the ICC reported. Nic Maddinson raced to 48 off 38 balls before Nortje bowled him with a yorker, while Marnus Labuschagne made 37 and Alex Carey 24.

Cummins then cleared the rope four times in an unbeaten 32 off 12 balls, with Webster 39 not out, before calling his batters in with the lead at 420. The highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test history remains West Indies’ 418 against Australia in 2003, according to cricket.com.au.

Proteas lose three for 13

Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton for two and later trapped David Bedingham lbw for 46, triggering a collapse of 3-13. Renshaw then claimed his maiden Test wicket when Temba Bavuma (1) was caught by Maddinson at short leg, and Cummins had Tristan Stubbs (1) caught behind by Carey.

Markram has faced 115 balls for his unbeaten 45 and remains South Africa’s best hope of saving the match. The Proteas have won 11 and drawn one of their Tests under Bavuma’s captaincy, BBC Sport reported. Bad light cut short each of the first three days, but the fourth day ran later than had previously been possible in this Test, and the final day begins on Tuesday night Australian time.

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