A fiery spell of fast bowling from Kagiso Rabada has put South Africa in a strong position against Australia, after an eventful opening day of the second test. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7pm (AEDT).
‘I was extremely happy to lose the toss’. Content to field first on a pitch that was expected to assist the bowlers in the first hour of play, Proteas captain Faf du Plessis couldn’t have seemed more wrong as Australia’s openers laid a solid foundation.
An uncharacteristically quiet David Warner and Cam Bancroft initially blunted the South African attack, before accelerating towards the end of the first session, as the ball started to lose its shine.
Scoring his third successive half-century of the series, Warner looked set for a special innings, while Bancroft – fresh of a fifty in his last innings – seemed every bit as assured as his batting partner.
Conceding 75 runs at a run a ball in the last hour of the first session, the signs were looking ominous for South Africa.
But a Vernon Philander outswinger that drew the outside edge of Bancroft on the last ball before lunch brought the Proteas to life.
South Africa struck again after the break, as Philander prolonged Usman Khawaja’s slump in foreign conditions, before recalled paceman Lungi Ngidi bowled the perfect inswinger to disturb Warner’s stumps.
Enter Kagiso Rabada.
With his teammates providing the initial breakthrough, the number two ranked test bowler in the world was at brilliant best, kick starting an Aussie collapse.
Trapping Smith plumb in front, a red hot Rabada is likely to draw some attention from match officials after he sent the Aussie skipper back to the dressing room with a bump.
Rabada put his aggression to good use though, finishing with figures of 5-96, as he destroyed Australia’s middle order with a scintillating spell, picking up four wickets within just seven deliveries.
Partnering with the tail Tim Paine ensured it wagged, as the last two wickets added 61 valuable runs to the visitor’s total, before Ngidi finished the innings by dislodging Paine’s off stump.
Pat Cummins sent Durban centurion Aiden Markram packing early, but it was to be South Africa’s and Rabada’s day as the Proteas paceman added 17 runs as nightwatchman to lead his team to a strong position entering Day 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Day 2 from 7pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's all from me tonight, I hope you enjoyed the Roar's coverage of Day 2 of the 2nd Test!
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla started the day cautiously and were perhaps a little too tame during the second session in which they scored at less than two an over. The Aussie pacemen toiled away hard and started to see results in the post tea session in which they claimed 5 wickets. Australia threatened to rip through the Proteas batting order after Mitch Marsh picked up his second wicket, but a brilliant knock from AB de Villiers has seen South Africa earn a slim lead. Unbeaten on 74, de Villiers seemed to be batting in different conditions to that of his teammates and it seems only a lack of batting partners will stop him from reaching triple figures. The game is evenly poised heading into Day 3 with much resting on the shoulders of de Villiers. It should be another ripping day of cricket and you can keep up with all the action here on the Roar!
Rats
Guest
Thank you, Kishan. Amazing day if test cricket. Good display of batting and bowling. No clear favourites at the moment? May be AUS slightly ahead considering what Starc can do to tailenders.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
So another compelling day of Test cricket, with honours being shared evenly as the Proteas finish the day with a 20 run lead and with AB de Villiers still at the crease on 74. If he can add a further 50-100 with the tail, South Africa will feel very bullish about levelling the series.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
End Of Session And Philander closes Day 2 by defending a good length ball to mid on. de Villiers 73 Philander 14
Over: 95.0 Score: 7/263
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Philander has just two more deliveries left to see out.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
de Villiers takes a single of the first ball after tapping a length ball to the legside de Villiers 73 Philander 14
Over: 94.1 Score: 7/263
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Probably only time for one more over, as Josh Hazlewood gets set to bowl his 24th.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Just one run from the Cummins over. de Villiers 73 Philander 14
Over: 94.0 Score: 7/262
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
It looks like Philander has been protecting de Villiers in the last half hour, taking the lion's share of the strike.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Smith continues to rotate his bowlers as Cummins comes back into the attack for Starc.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR! A good length ball from Hazlewood catches the edge of de Villiers' bat, but he's played it with soft hands so it bounces through the slip cordon. de Villiers 73 Philander 14
Over: 92.5 Score: 7/261
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Just 13 minutes left in an enthralling Day 2.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR! Philander goes hard at a full delivery on middle and off and he's gotten enough of on it to clear the jumping fielder at point. South Africa pass 250 with those runs. de Villiers 69 Philander 10
Over: 91.4 Score: 7/253
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Starc to continue with his 26th over, he's toiled hard today
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR! Full and outside from Hazlewood and Philander gets a thick outside edge that runs away through third man. de Villiers 69 Philander 5
Over: 90.2 Score: 7/248
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
South Africa now lead by 1 as de Villiers cuts a length ball outside off to deep point. How they'd love a 70-80 run lead from here. de Villiers 69 Philander 1 Over: 90.1 Score: 7/244
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Hazlewood comes back into the attack replacing Cummins.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Australia have taken the new ball in 90th over.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Just a change of ends for Starc as he replace Lyon in the attack.