Australia vs South Africa highlights: Cricket, scores, blog, 2nd Test - Day 1

Result:

Australia’s batting order suffered another collapse on Day 1 of the Test in Hobart, but their bowling efforts afterwards have kept them in the hunt – albeit with only a slim chance.

» Click here to read the day report

Scores at end of Day 1
Australia 85
South Africa 5/171

Preview:

Australia are behind the eight ball and looking for redemption coming into the Test in Hobart after being brushed aside by a resilient South Africa side in the series opener. Follow all the live scores, action and highlights from Day 1 of the second Test on The Roar from 10:30am (AEDT).

Australia has been hit with injuries and selection headaches since Nathan Lyon fell for the last wicket of the first Test.

The Australian preparation has been less than ideal as they have scrambled to figure out their final line up and try to find the confidence they lost after the defeat in Perth.

Despite dominating the opening day of the summer and leaving the visitors reeling, Australia was no match for the South Africans in the first Test after a miraculous turn around by the visitors.

The Proteas excelled in the WACA conditions despite the failings of Hashim Amla and the absence of skipper AB de Villiers.

The biggest marker on the second Test, however, will be the Tasmanian weather.

Hobart is expected to bring the rain during the opening two days at least, with scattered showers and overcast conditions dominating the skies above Blundstone Arena.

A forced draw here will spell the end of Australia’s series hopes and guarantee at worst a drawn series for the visitors.

This will be the first time South Africa has ever played in Hobart, a fixture that traditionally comes much later in the summer.

Australia has lost only twice in Tests that have taken place in Hobart and scored over 400 runs in the first innings four of the last five times they’ve played there.

Interestingly on the South African side, since making their debuts in the same game back in 2004, this will be the first time that the Proteas will be without either Dale Steyn or de Villiers.

Team News
Both sides have been hampered by injuries from the opening Test of the summer.

Australia has lost opener Shaun Marsh to a thumb injury while recurring back problems have hindered Peter Siddle’s return to international cricket after an eight-month layoff this year.

Paceman Joe Mennie has been favoured to make his debut in the Baggy Green to replace Siddle, despite being tonked all around Johannesburg by the same side in his ODI debut just two months ago.

Joe Burns is expected to return to the side with partner Dave Warner at the top of the order.

South Australian veteran Callum Ferguson has been added to the squad in the wake of some short performances from Mitch Marsh and the impending Hobart weather that could reduce the need for a genuine fifth bowler.

Adam Voges has been nursing a hamstring injury this week but is expected to make the final XI.

South Africa have just the one impending selection decision to take care off after spearhead Dale Steyn was ruled out of the series with a shoulder injury.

Morne Morkel is expected to be named in the side at the toss.

Prediction
Rain will be the biggest factor not only for the first day but for the outcome of the entire series. If the weather wipes out too much time and forces a draw in Hobart, then Australia can only tie the series at best.

The forecast will impact today’s play, the question is how much?

Whoever wins the toss should be looking to bowl in overcast swinging conditions. In the past Hobart has proven to be a happy hunting ground for Australia, but they’ll be fighting hard this time around.