Durban — Eight years after sandpaper became a symbol of Australian cricket's most turbulent chapter, South Africa found subtle ways to recall the 2018 scandal during the build-up to the latest series. A local supermarket chain pulled sandpaper from its inventory, while broadcasters playfully vowed to keep a vigilant eye on proceedings. However, when Steve Smith stepped out to the crease in Durban, the anticipated hostility from the crowd failed to materialize.
Instead, South Africa's formidable fast bowling lineup made life difficult for the visitors on the opening day of the first Test on Friday. The hosts reduced Australia to 124 for six before a late rearguard action carried the total to 187 for six before deteriorating light brought a premature end to the day's play.
Ahead of Australia's initial Test tour to the country since the ball-tampering incident, retailer Pick n Pay Hypermarket announced that sandpaper would remain off shelves through October 31. Broadcaster SuperSport also posted a social media reminder promising sharp camera work. These nods referred to the 2018 Cape Town Test, where television cameras caught Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper on the ball, ultimately resulting in lengthy suspensions for Smith and then-vice-captain David Warner.
Despite the heavy media focus, spectators at Kingsmead offered a remarkably subdued greeting to Smith. Fans at the venue suggested that the heavy punishment had already been served and that the focus should remain strictly on elite competition.
Smith responded by playing positively, hitting two sixes off spinner Keshav Maharaj before departing for 25 shortly after the lunch break when he edged Marco Jansen to gully. This ended his 60-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne, who had earlier fallen lbw to Wiaan Mulder for 37 right before the interval.
South Africa's pacers maintained relentless pressure through the afternoon sessions. Anrich Nortje, returning to first-class cricket after a nearly four-year absence from the format, struck twice in the space of three deliveries after tea. The fast bowler removed Alex Carey via a slip catch and induced an edge behind from Beau Webster, plunging the visitors deeper into trouble at 124 for six.
Earlier in the innings, Travis Head fell for nine caught behind off Mulder, and Nic Maddinson's unexpected Test return ended in a 33-ball duck after being bowled by Jansen.
Australia captain Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw managed to steady the innings late in the day with an unbeaten 63-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Renshaw finished the day unbeaten on 46, sitting just four runs short of a fifty, while Cummins contributed a resilient 33 not out.
The day ultimately concluded due to fading light and Nortje's intimidating pace. After a bouncer sailed over Renshaw's head, the umpires checked the light meters and called off the remaining hour of play, leaving South Africa's pace battery to claim the headlines over pre-match controversy.