Get the appCaptains Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma have spoken ahead of the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, which is level at 1-1. Cummins said life has changed a lot since he was 12th man at the 2011 Cape Town Test, when Australia were bowled out for 47. Bavuma, who grew up in the Langa township, said he had felt doubts during his early years and that South Africa are motivated to right the result of their last series in Australia.
Australia is set to make at least three changes to the side beaten by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha for the series decider in Cape Town. Channel 7 reports that Beau Webster and Scott Boland will be replaced, while Nic Maddinson has already been dropped. Nathan Lyon, Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly are set to come in. Matthew Renshaw is expected to open alongside Travis Head. Steve Smith must pass a final fitness test on his neck but is expected to play.
Gerald Coetzee will make his Test return for South Africa in the third match against Australia at Newlands. The 26-year-old replaces Anrich Nortje, who injured his groin after bowling only 3.3 overs in the second Test. Captain Temba Bavuma said Coetzee's consistent pace above 140kph earned him the spot. It will be Coetzee's first Test in almost two years. Keshav Maharaj misses out again, with Simon Harmer retained as the spinner.
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Get the appAustralia has released Nic Maddinson and back-up wicketkeeper Sam Harper from the Test squad ahead of the Cape Town series decider against South Africa. Matthew Renshaw now looks likely to open the batting after Maddinson passed double figures only once in four innings. Steve Smith faces a fitness test on his neck, while Marnus Labuschagne must hold his No.3 spot as Cameron Green and Josh Inglis return from injury. Selectors meet on Monday to finalise the team, with Nathan Lyon a strong contender to return to the side.
Australia begins the series-deciding third Test against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday, a ground linked to one of the darkest days in its cricket history. Former captain Steve Smith, central to the 2018 Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal, has averaged a little over 20 with the bat on this tour. Travis Head said Smith would be fine and that the team supports him. The series is level at 1-1. South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who injured his groin, and captain Temba Bavuma said the hosts will pick their replacement based on conditions.
Cameron Green is almost certain to be picked for the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, after missing the first two matches. The all-rounder has been cleared to play as a specialist batter only, as he is still unable to bowl. He suffered a lower abdominal tear during the final one-day match in Potchefstroom on 30 September. Green said he was surprised by how quickly the injury had healed. Selectors must still decide whether he bats at number five or whether Matthew Renshaw moves up to open alongside Travis Head. The series is tied 1-1.
Australia and South Africa meet in the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town, with the series tied 1-1. South Africa won the second Test by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha, after Australia had won the first in Durban. The match begins on Tuesday 27 October and is available live on Kayo Sports, with no ads, and on Fox Cricket. It is not being shown on free-to-air television in Australia. Play starts at 10:30 am local time, which is 7:30 pm in Eastern Daylight Time.
South Africa and Australia are level at 1-1 in their Test series, with the decider set for Newlands in Cape Town from October 27 to 31. Play starts at 10:30am local time, or 7:30pm AEDT. All matches are broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket, with radio coverage from ABC and SEN. South Africa are expected to keep most of their winning side after their second Test win, though Anrich Nortje is out with a groin injury. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are fit again for Australia.
South 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.
Scott Boland's strong performance has left Australia's selectors weighing a difficult choice for the third Test in Cape Town. Boland took five wickets in the second Test in Gqeberha and batted through two nightwatch sessions. Captain Pat Cummins praised his efforts and said he could not have done more. Selectors must now decide whether to play four seamers or return to three quicks and Nathan Lyon, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc the likely players to make way. Newlands has favoured seamers in the past, which could also keep Lyon on the bench.
Australia lost the second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs on day five, after collapsing with the bat. The defeat leaves the series level and sets up a decider in Cape Town. Steve Smith's aggressive shot in the second session gave South Africa the breakthrough, and the writer says his form is now a concern. Questions are also raised about the team's selection, including whether Beau Webster should make way for Cameron Green if Green is fit.
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.
South 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.
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.
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Get the appSouth Africa's bowlers dismantled Australia on day four of the Test at Gqeberha. Marco Jansen took 5-33 in the first innings, and Australia were dismissed for 99 and asked to follow on. Kagiso Rabada's return to the side added menace to the attack. Travis Head was the only Australian batter to show fight, finishing 87 not out at 4-156. Australia trail by 170 runs with one day remaining, and South Africa are now looking for victory.
Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha, leaving them under pressure to save the match. South Africa's Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada rattled the top order, with Jansen taunting Marnus Labuschagne and trading words with Matthew Renshaw and Beau Webster. Coach Andrew McDonald called the batting errors disappointing, though he said Australia still held six wickets in hand. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are set to be available for the third Test in Cape Town.
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.
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.