Bad light could be sign of the time in South Africa

Australia and South Africa are at risk of facing a series-long battle with the light after an early start in Durban couldn't stop a premature end to the opening day.

The floodlights had been on for close to an hour when poor light ended play 96 minutes early on Thursday, with Australia fighting back into the game at 6-187.

The October scheduling of this series has drawn criticism, namely from former Protea Daryll Cullinan who warned of wet and low-scoring contests.

Realistically, cramming the matches into any other point would have been difficult given both sides share a home summer and Australia tour India in January.

But based on the opening day, Cullinan may be right. Play is scheduled to start at 9:30am (6:30pm AEDT) each day of this Test, in a bid to counteract the 6pm (3am AEDT) sunset in Durban.

And while the sun was shining in the morning, from the moment clouds came in at the tea break the day's play always looked in danger.

Making up the lost time could also prove difficult, with an extra half hour to be added to the end of play in coming days.

That will make for a 5:30pm (2:30am AEDT) stumps time, just 30 minutes before the sunset.

The sun is forecast to set later in Gqererha and Cape Town for the next two Tests given they are further west, but the start times for those are 10am (7pm AEDT) and 10:30am (7:30pm AEDT) respectively.

This Durban Test is the first being played under new ICC conditions in a bid to prevent matches being ruined by bad light with pink balls now available.

But for that to happen, both teams need to agree before the toss with a pink ball used throughout the match, not just when the light grows poor.

South Africa on Thursday at least suggested they thought play could continue when umpires called a halt, momentarily remaining on the field and in position.

"I would always try and push being on the bowling side," said Anrich Nortje, who had just sent down a shorter ball before the umpires intervened.

"I don't know what the reading was to be honest ... I can't tell you what is bright or not."

As is often the case for the batting side, Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins were more than happy to go, even if the pair were regaining some ascendancy.

Speaking afterwards, Renshaw noted that the LED part of the sightscreen had become much brighter than the sheeting around it.

"It was pretty dark," Renshaw said.

"(Nortje) was bowling some quick balls. I was just trying to cover the stumps and trying not to get out."

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

South Africa's first Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster