Australia Stretch Lead to 280 at Lunch on Day Four at Kingsmead Despite Losing Four Wickets

Australia tightened their grip on the first Test against South Africa on Monday, reaching 174 for four in their second innings at lunch on day four at Kingsmead to stretch their overall lead to 280 runs. Resuming on 33 without loss with a 106-run first-innings cushion, the tourists went on the attack to set up a declaration and give themselves maximum time to bowl South Africa out. Travis Head fell early for 11, chipping Marco Jansen to Temba Bavuma, before Nic Maddinson — out for a duck in the first innings — raced to 48 from 38 balls until Anrich Nortje spectacularly bowled him. Steve Smith made an aggressive 27 before holing out off Simon Harmer, and Marnus Labuschagne fell for 37 miscuing Keshav Maharaj to Bavuma. Matt Renshaw, whose career-best 190 anchored Australia's 390 in the first innings, was unbeaten on 32 at the break alongside Alex Carey on five. South Africa had replied with 284 in their first dig. With bad light curtailing play on each of the first three days, Australia will look to push the lead beyond 350 before declaring, hoping to have a bowl at the home top order before the close and a full final day on Tuesday to seal victory in the first of the three-match series.