Essex Men's Simon Harmer began South Africa's Test series against Australia with two wickets and 35 runs in the match.
The all-rounder was selected for the opening Test of the three-match series at Kingsmead in Durban, with the remaining two Tests set to take place in Gqeberha and Cape Town.
In the first innings, Harmer claimed one wicket from 28 overs at an economy rate of 2.4 runs per over. He added another wicket from 25 overs in the second innings, finishing the match with two wickets and unlucky not to take more.
With the bat, Harmer scored an unbeaten 35 from 75 deliveries in the first innings, batting at number nine. His innings included four fours and a six, but he was left stranded at the crease.
Returning to the middle in the second innings, the 37-year-old again batted at number nine, with his side facing a substantial deficit and needing to bat out the final day to secure an unlikely draw. Harmer was unfortunately dismissed for a duck after a Hazlewood delivery reared off the pitch, catching him by surprise on the back foot before taking the glove and carrying through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. The dismissal came in a double-wicket maiden over.
Former Eagle and Essex Men's 2026 overseas signing, Wiaan Mulder, also featured in the Test match. He took the new ball for South Africa in the first innings, claiming an impressive 4-68 from 27 overs. The all-rounder bowled just six overs in the second innings, without taking a wicket.
With the bat, Mulder scored 30 from 50 deliveries in the first innings before attempting to play a short delivery from Pat Cummins, only to be caught at mid-wicket. In the second innings, the 28-year-old dug in for 29 from 110 deliveries before edging a Josh Hazlewood delivery through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Australia won the first Test match by 214 runs.
