South Africa captain Temba Bavuma led a determined fightback as the Proteas reached 97/5 on Day 2 of the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, following two heavily rain-affected days of cricket.
With Australia holding a 1-0 lead in the series, South Africa entered the second Test looking to respond to their 214-run defeat in Durban. However, persistent rain and wet ground conditions severely limited the amount of cricket played across the opening two days.
After Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first, the Proteas were immediately placed under pressure by Scott Boland, who claimed four wickets to leave the hosts struggling.
Bavuma provided the main resistance with an unbeaten 41 from 108 deliveries, while Ryan Rickelton contributed 31 as the pair attempted to rebuild South Africa’s innings.
Only 12.2 overs were possible on the opening day, with South Africa reaching 20/2 before rain brought proceedings to an early end.
Aiden Markram and Test debutant Marques Ackerman opened the batting for the Proteas, but their innings was repeatedly interrupted by the weather.
South Africa had reached 11/0 after 5.3 overs when rain forced the players from the field.
When play eventually resumed, Markram looked comfortable against Australia’s fast bowlers, striking two boundaries during his innings of 11 from 28 deliveries.
However, Boland provided the breakthrough when he found Markram’s inside edge, with the ball crashing into the stumps.
The dismissal left South Africa on 12/1.
The Proteas suffered another setback immediately afterwards when David Bedingham was dismissed for a first-ball duck.
Boland produced another excellent delivery that moved away from the right-hander, finding the outside edge as Bedingham attempted to play down the ground. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey completed the catch behind the stumps.
South Africa were suddenly reduced to 12/2, with Boland claiming two wickets in consecutive deliveries.
Ackerman and Bavuma managed to prevent further damage before rain returned, bringing an end to the opening day’s play with the Proteas on 20/2.
The second day was also heavily disrupted, with rain and wet ground conditions preventing play throughout the first two sessions.
When the players eventually returned to the field, South Africa resumed with Ackerman unbeaten on five and Bavuma on four.
The Proteas needed a substantial partnership to recover from their difficult start, but Boland continued to trouble the batters with his accuracy and movement off the surface.
Ackerman’s debut innings came to an end when he was dismissed for six from 38 deliveries.
The left-hander attempted to drive a delivery outside off stump but edged through to Carey, leaving South Africa on 25/3.
Matthew Breetzke joined Bavuma at the crease as the Proteas attempted to rebuild their innings.
However, Australia’s bowlers maintained their discipline, restricting South Africa’s scoring opportunities and forcing the batters to remain patient.
Breetzke managed just four runs from 17 deliveries before Mitchell Starc found his outside edge, with Carey completing another catch behind the stumps.
The dismissal left South Africa struggling at 40/4 in the 22nd over.
With the Proteas in serious trouble, Bavuma and Rickelton produced the most significant partnership of the innings.
Bavuma adopted a patient approach, showing greater discipline outside off stump while looking to punish loose deliveries.
Rickelton provided valuable support, playing positively when opportunities arose and striking five boundaries during his innings.
The pair added 52 runs for the fifth wicket, helping South Africa recover from 40/4 to 92/4.
Their partnership provided some much-needed stability after Australia’s fast bowlers had dominated the opening stages of the innings.
However, just as the Proteas appeared to be establishing a platform, Boland struck again.
Rickelton edged a delivery that moved away from him, with Matt Renshaw producing an outstanding low catch to dismiss the left-hander for 31 from 51 deliveries.
The wicket was a significant setback for South Africa, ending a promising partnership and leaving the hosts on 92/5.
Wiaan Mulder joined Bavuma and managed to survive the remaining deliveries as South Africa reached 97/5 after 43 overs.
Bavuma remained unbeaten on 41, having struck five fours and a six, while Mulder was on two from 15 deliveries.
Boland was Australia’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4/31 from 14 overs, including five maidens.
Starc claimed the remaining wicket, returning figures of 1/27 from ten overs, while Josh Hazlewood was particularly economical, conceding just three runs from five overs.
For South Africa, the opening two days have presented a difficult challenge.
The Proteas entered the second Test needing an improved batting performance following their struggles in Durban, but the top order once again failed to establish substantial partnerships.
Markram, Bedingham, Ackerman and Breetzke were all dismissed cheaply, leaving Bavuma and Rickelton with the responsibility of rebuilding the innings.
Although Bavuma has shown encouraging resistance, South Africa will need further contributions from Mulder and the remaining lower-order batters if they are to post a competitive first-innings total.
The weather has also played a significant role in the contest, with only 43 overs completed across the opening two days.
With three days remaining, South Africa will be hoping for improved playing conditions and an opportunity to recover from their difficult position.
Much will depend on Bavuma’s ability to extend his innings and build partnerships with the remaining batters.
The Proteas will resume Day 3 on 97/5, looking to add valuable runs and give their bowlers something to defend as they attempt to level the series.
Day 2 scores — South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test, St George’s Park, Gqeberha
South Africa: 97/5 (43 overs)
Temba Bavuma 41*, Ryan Rickelton 31, Aiden Markram 11, Wiaan Mulder 2*
Australia bowling: Scott Boland 4/31, Mitchell Starc 1/27
Australia lead the three-match Test series 1-0.
