Get the appSouth Africa captain Temba Bavuma says his best win in charge may still come in the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town. His innings of 179 helped the Proteas beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha. Bavuma said the team now has to protect its momentum after a 214-run loss in Durban was a wake-up call. The third Test begins next Tuesday, and South Africa is seeking to extend its unbeaten run in home series dating back to 2020.
South Africa beat Australia by 31 runs in the second Test in Gqeberha, levelling the series. Travis Head reached a century before he was dismissed for 121, leaving Australia at 5-209. Scott Boland defied the South African attack as nightwatchman for 40 runs, but he was bowled by Wiaan Mulder after tea. Steve Smith was caught for 3, and Mitchell Starc was bowled by Kagiso Rabada. Josh Hazlewood was caught behind to end the innings as the threatened rain never came.
Australia slumped to an innings defeat against South Africa in Gqeberha, leaving the series tied 1-1 ahead of the Third Test in Cape Town. Rain delays cost 145 overs across the match. Travis Head scored a century and was one of few bright spots for the Australian batters. Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw struggled, and selectors face questions over several places in the side. Scott Boland was the team's most effective bowler, taking five wickets and batting for more than three hours in the second innings.
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Get the appSouth Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha, levelling the two-Test series. Australia lost 19 wickets over the final two days at St George's Park. Travis Head scored 121 off 190 balls, the only batter to offer sustained resistance on the final day. Kagiso Rabada took four wickets and Wiaan Mulder took three. The series now moves to the third Test in Cape Town next week.
Travis Head has become the first Australian in 38 years to score a century after being asked to bat again following on. His unbeaten 184 from 431 balls, in a second Test innings, helped Australia avoid defeat against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha. Head reached his milestone with two flicked boundaries off Marco Jansen. Teammate Josh Hazlewood praised Head's ability to change his pace across the innings. Head was dropped on five, on the way to reaching his 13th Test century.
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha, levelling the series at 1-1. Travis Head scored 121 and Scott Boland made 40 as the visitors resisted on the final day. Rain delayed the start of play, but Australia's hopes faded once Head and Boland were dismissed. Pat Cummins said the team was well short of its best. The final Test starts on Tuesday at Newlands in Cape Town, with the series on the line.
Australia is heading for a heavy defeat in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Marco Jansen took five wickets, dismissing Scott Boland, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey and Beau Webster. Steve Smith, struggling with a stiff neck, scored 28 and became the 12th batter to reach 11,000 Test runs before leaving the field. Marnus Labuschagne survived a leg-before review but was out for 39 shortly after. Australia finished day four at 4-156, still 170 runs behind South Africa's first innings total.
Australia were bowled out for 99 on day four of the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha and were asked to follow on. At stumps they were 4-156, still trailing by 170 runs. South Africa had earlier declared on 9-425. Australia's first-innings total was their fourth-lowest against South Africa. The result leaves the series at 1-1 before the third Test in Cape Town next week.
Australia trails South Africa by 170 runs with six wickets in hand and one day remaining in the second Test at St George's Park. The team was bowled out for 99 and forced to follow on.
Mitchell Starc says Josh Hazlewood's illness during the second Test in Gqeberha had as much impact as Nathan Lyon's omission from the side. Hazlewood was unwell with what Starc described as a dodgy prawn and spent day two in the hotel. Starc said the team had to adjust its bowling plans, with Beau Webster and part-time spinners bowling heavily. Lyon was left out for the first red-ball Test in 13 years and Scott Boland was picked instead. South Africa recovered after a slump, with the third Test in Cape Town still to come.
South Africa has taken control of the second Test against Australia. Captain Temba Bavuma scored 179 on day three, helping his side reach 9-425 declared after starting the day at 5-97. Marco Jansen made 85 and Simon Harmer made 82 as the lower order added crucial runs. Scott Boland took five wickets for Australia, while Mitchell Starc dismissed Bavuma. Australia finished the day at 1-3, with Travis Head and Scott Boland at the crease.
Matt Renshaw took a diving catch late on day two of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, leaving South Africa at 5-97 at stumps. Play was delayed for hours after rain left the outfield at St George's Park too wet to use. Temba Bavuma hit a large six over the backward square leg boundary that landed on a road outside the ground. Josh Hazlewood was unwell and missed the session, while Alex Carey neared a milestone of 200 Test catches.
Scott Boland took four wickets for 31 runs from 14 overs as Australia dominated the second Test at Gqeberha. The match resumed after a long rain delay, and Australia were without Josh Hazlewood, who is ill. South Africa were 5-97 at the close of play, after Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton put on a 50-run partnership. Mitchell Starc, still a threat at nearly 37, also bowled with pace and menace. Cricket Australia says Hazlewood will return on day three.
Australia's fast bowlers gained the upper hand on a rain-affected second day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Scott Boland took four wickets for 31 runs as South Africa closed at 5-96. Captain Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 41 after a fightback with Ryan Rickelton. Matthew Renshaw's reflex catch ended Rickelton's innings on 31 late in the day. Better weather is forecast for the final three days, with hopes of a result on a pitch expected to improve for batting.
Australia dropped spinner Nathan Lyon for the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. The selectors have a record of making tough calls, and this one leaves Australia without a frontline spinner in conditions that usually favour spin. Pace bowler Scott Boland took an early wicket by removing Aiden Markram on the first day. Former players have criticised several recent selections, but coach Andrew McDonald says the team's logic is sound and the group is strong enough to handle the criticism.
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Get the appPat Cummins has won the toss and chosen to bowl in the Second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Rain has delayed the start of play. Australia has made one change from the side that won the first Test in Durban, bringing in Scott Boland for Nathan Lyon. Cummins said conditions were a factor in leaving out Lyon, praising Boland's seam movement and accuracy. Steve Smith said the damp pitch could be tricky for batters early on.
Rain has almost entirely washed out the first day of Australia's second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Scott Boland struck twice in two balls during a brief spell of play, leaving South Africa at 2-20 after 12.2 overs. Boland was included ahead of spinner Nathan Lyon, giving Australia four seamers on a green pitch. Play stopped again after only a handful of overs following rain. Marques Arkerman will resume on 5 not out alongside captain Temba Bavuma on 4 not out on day two.
Live coverage follows the second Test between Australia and South Africa in Gqeberha, with the full scorecard and wicket replays available through the match centre. Day five is scheduled to begin with a second session from 12pm to 2.30pm, followed by a third session from 2.50pm to 5.45pm. Up to 82 overs may be bowled across the day, with at least 15 overs required in the final hour, subject to light and weather conditions.
Australian captain Pat Cummins expects Matt Renshaw to stay at number five for the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Renshaw scored 190 and 82 after being recalled as an opener against Bangladesh, and he accepted the switch in role without hesitation. Nic Maddinson is likely to keep his place and open alongside Travis Head. Cummins also confirmed Cameron Green remains sidelined with an abdominal strain, while Josh Inglis is close to being declared fit. Rain is forecast over the opening two days, which could affect whether Australia plays a fourth quick bowler or retains spinner Nathan Lyon.
Aiden Markram missed South Africa's main training session on Friday, though the Proteas hope he will play the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha. The 32-year-old batter has been South Africa's strongest performer against Australia this century. Kagiso Rabada bowled at high intensity in training and is firming for a return to the side. South Africa must win the match to keep the three-match series alive. The second Test begins on October 18 at St George's Park.