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.
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.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
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.
South Africa are close to a dramatic second Test comeback after a day of heavy wicket-taking at St George's Park in Gqeberha. Marco Jansen claimed five wickets for 33 runs, helping bowl Australia out for 99 in their first innings, which left them 326 runs behind. Steve Smith top-scored with 28 before a neck problem kept him out of Australia's second innings. Australia were asked to follow on and reached 4-156 by stumps, still 170 runs adrift, with Travis Head 13 runs short of a century. Scott Boland survived as nightwatchman.
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.
Temba Bavuma scored his fifth Test century and finished on 179 as South Africa recovered on day three of the second Test in Gqeberha. Marco Jansen, who scored 85, was struck painfully by a Scott Boland delivery before he was out. Mitchell Starc took his 450th Test wicket, dismissing Wiaan Mulder. South Africa declared on 9-425, and Australia ended the day at 1-3, 422 runs behind.
South African captain Temba Bavuma scored 179 runs at Gqeberha, batting for more than nine hours to frustrate Australia in the second Test. His innings came after the hosts had slumped to 6-110. Marco Jansen made 85 and Simon Harmer made 82, adding a South African eighth-wicket record of 183 runs with Bavuma's support. Rain had reduced the match's playing time, and the hosts declared their first innings in the twilight. Bavuma's century was his fifth in Tests.
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.
Scott Boland has bowled Australia to a strong position in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. The 37-year-old took four wickets in the blustery conditions, lowering his Test bowling average to 18.08. Boland was only told he would play minutes before the toss. He said his one-format approach and the support of coaches and teammates have helped him stay effective. Australia dropped spinner Nathan Lyon to bring him into the side.
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.
Scott Boland took 4-31 as South Africa were left reeling on 5-97 at stumps on day two of the second Test in Gqeberha. Only 43 overs were possible across the first two days because of rain and wet conditions. Matthew Renshaw took a brilliant one-handed catch to dismiss Ryan Rickelton, who had made 52. Temba Bavuma was unbeaten on 41. Play will resume on an extended third day, with Australia hoping Josh Hazlewood will be available after a stomach issue.
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.
Scott Boland took both Australian wickets on a rain-interrupted first day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. He dismissed Aiden Markram and David Bedingham in consecutive deliveries after the pitch began to move. South African debutant Marques Ackerman was greeted by a family moment after scoring his first run before the rain returned. Play was delayed by two hours, with only 12.2 overs bowled on the day at St George's Park.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Scott Boland returned to Test cricket after a seven-month break and dismissed two of South Africa's top batters in two balls. Aiden Markram and David Bedingham were both out during the brief spells of play on the opening day at St George's Park. Rain then halted play for the rest of the afternoon, with South Africa at 2-20. Nathan Lyon was left out of the Australian side, with Boland recalled as part of an all-seam attack. Play was called early at 4.15pm local time.
Pat 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.
Australia are considering playing Scott Boland in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, possibly in place of Nathan Lyon. Thunderstorms and heavy winds are forecast for the first two days of the match at St George's Park. Captain Pat Cummins said the selectors were still working out how to include Boland. Josh Inglis may also come into the team as a specialist batter. Cummins said the weather could affect the pitch and the team's tactics.
