Neil Brand stars against full-strength Australian attack

Brand led South Africa for two Tests in 2024, when they sent a second-string team to New Zealand. He led in both games, which remain his only Test matches.

Here, he came out to bat at four after Pat Cummins trapped Tshepang Dithole in front for 30, with Cricket South Africa XI on 65-2. Joshua Richards and Jiveshan Pillay followed soon, and CSA XI became 105-4.

Brand brought up his fifty off 73 deliveries and his hundred off 144, and put on 74 runs with Jorich Van Schalkwyk and 81 with Jean du Plessis.

Century for Neil Brand. He’s played superbly. #SAvAUS https://t.co/8kYeOPdijj

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) October 3, 2026

He switched gears after his ton, taking just 29 deliveries to race from 100 to 150. He scored a six and a four each off the 86th and 87th overs, from Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly, respectively, before taking Webster for 10 runs again, off the last two balls of the 88th.

The former South African skipper was finally dismissed on the last ball of day one, for a 174-ball 152, with CSA XI on 318-7. They declared on that score on the second morning.

Australia used no less than 11 bowling options, which included the famous quartet of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, along with their best back-up options, seamer Scott Boland and spinner Matthew Kunhemann. None of the pacers bowled more than 10 overs, while Lyon and Kunheman shared 26.

South Africa will host Australia for a three-match Test series, starting from . The two subsequent Tests will be played in Gqeberha and Cape Town, from October 18 and 27, respectively.

At the time of writing, Australia were 25-0 after seven overs, with Travis Head and Matt Renshaw batting on 12 each.

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