Day two of the second Test between Australia and South Africa has been abandoned due to rain in Hobart.
South Africa will resume at 5-171 on Monday, when Australia face an uphill battle trying to fight back after being skittled for 85 in their first innings.
Heavy rain hammered Hobart on Sunday, wiping out any play, but the forecast is better for days three, four and five of the contest, meaning there is still likely to be a result in the match.
The hosts will use South Africa’s second innings comeback success story from the first Test in Perth as a blueprint to scratch out victory after a dire first day at Bellerive.
Skipper Steve Smith top-scored with 48 not out in what was otherwise a shameful batting performance from Australia on Saturday, leaving coach Darren Lehmann busy formulating plans to resurrect hope.
Top priority is stemming the Proteas’ lead, which is currently 86 runs.
“There’s four days left at the moment so the challenge for us is to get the five wickets quickly and then bat big like they did in Perth,” Lehmann said on Saturday.
“The guys are hurting and they’ll come out and put on a big score I’m sure.”
South Africa batted first at the WACA and were all out for 242, while Australia finished 0-105 at stumps on day one.
Day two was not so positive for the home side, who were dismissed for 244 before the Proteas compiled 8(dec)-540 in their second innings.
That’s the path Lehmann wants to follow.
Australia’s coach didn’t shy away from responsibility for Saturday’s first-innings collapse.
“We know we’ve got to get better in a lot of areas,” Lehmann said.
“I’m really confident they will play better than they did in the first innings.
“We’ve just got to get the five wickets first and foremost.”
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