Category: Australia Cricket

• Magnificent 179 puts hosts in charge on day three

• Nic Maddison dismissed for a duck before close

In the first Test in Durban, it was Australia’s lower order hanging in with one established batter that first frustrated, then demoralised South Africa. In the second, on the third day in Gqeberha, South Africa returned the favour. Temba Bavuma played the role of Matthew Renshaw, assembling a near-flawless 179, combining with Marco Jansen’s 85 and Simon Harmer’s 82 to take the hosts to a declaration at 425 for 9. Australia then lost one wicket for three in reply.

Eight years ago, during Australia’s previous visit, Bavuma was a hard luck story. In his 29th Test and facing questioning for having only made one century in that time, he had Australia on the mat at Johannesburg in the aftermath of sandpaper week, until the last two wickets fell in two balls to strand him on 95 not out.

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Australian endured a torrid day in Gqeberha as the brilliance of South African captain Temba Bavuma and his lower order left the visitors fighting for survival with two days to play.

Australia were given a taste of their own medicine from Durban, suffering a day in the dirt before Nic Maddinson fell for a fourth-ball duck in a nightmare start to the visitors’ innings on day three of the second Test in Gqeberha.

Ollie Peake’s reaction said it all.

Shortly before the rain arrived in Gqeberha on Sunday, Australian captain Pat Cummins was scratching around on St George’s Park, figuring out how he would make his mark.

Justin Langer has claimed the severe penalties handed down to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their roles in the infamous Sandpapergate scandal changed cricket forever, in a subtle but impossible to miss way.

Old man marvel Scott Boland exudes calmness whenever he has the ball in hand.

• The veteran quick ended the day with four wickets

• South Africa struggle to 97-5 on second day

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Scott Boland had to wait a long time. Scott Boland took a wicket as soon as he got a chance. It was the same story on day two of the second Test at Gqeberha as it had been on day one, with rain delaying play, this time until deep into the afternoon. When a wet outfield had finally dried enough to allow play to resume in African sunshine, South Africa lost three more wickets to finish on 97 for 5.

It was 3:45pm, six hours after the planned start, when Boland got to finish the over that he’d started the day before. Four balls, one driven by Temba Bavuma to the boundary. That happens from time to time because Boland goes full, inviting that shot while searching for an edge. That’s how he got Aiden Markram and David Bedingham the day before. Seven balls into day two, that’s how he added Marques Ackerman.

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Australia are well on top after another rain-reduced day in Gqeberha with South Africa 5/97 at stumps on day two.

A young Victorian quick has quickly become one of the country’s hottest properties, while a batter who last played for Australia three years ago pulled off an epic recovery mission as the second round of the Sheffield Shield began on Monday.

Scott Boland doubled his wicket tally with a Matt Renshaw screamer ramming home Australia’s advantage on another rain-affected day of the second Test against South Africa at Gqeberha.

Just before Australia’s tour of South Africa began in Durban earlier this month, Steve Smith was in a mood at Kingsmead Stadium, cursing for every ball that found the edge of his bat.

St George’s Park in Gqeberha is unlike most other cricket venues around the world, in that cricket is the only sport played professionally there.

• Just 12.2 overs possible on first day of second Test

• Bowler seizes his opportunity with two wickets

If there is a theme to Scott Boland’s Test career, it’s making the most of limited opportunity. Finding a way into the team in 2021 when it seemed that chance had passed him by, remaining fourth in line for three spots, playing at the whim of absence, yet in those moments becoming a wrecking force, causing rashes of wickets, taking first-over strikes, threatening hat-tricks and once making good.

So began the second Test in Gqeberha, another match he wasn’t supposed to play, on a day that didn’t get 13 overs bowled, yet there he was. Making the score 20 for two. Squeezing into the game through the tiniest gap, like Eugene Tooms escaping from a cell.

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Scott Boland’s recall in place of Nathan Lyon was the big talking point on an opening day of the second Test in Gqeberha ruined by rain.