South Africa continued their remarkable comeback against Australia on day four of the second Test in Gqeberha, bowling the Baggy Greens out for just 99 and forcing them to follow on. Marco Jansen led the way with 5-33, a performance that followed his own 85 off 100 balls with the bat.
Jansen led a ferocious Proteas attack, supported by the returning Kagiso Rabada (2-33) and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (2-14). They dismissed their opponents in just 42.4 overs.
South Africa’s first-innings total of 425-9 declared left Australia facing a daunting deficit of 326 runs, leaving the tourists with an uphill battle.
Australia Battle Back After Following On
Australia finished day four on 156-4 in their second innings, still trailing by 170 runs.
In the first innings, Steve Smith top-scored with a modest 28, despite struggling with a neck injury throughout his innings. He was the only batter to reach 20 in a side where Nic Maddinson (0) and wicketkeeper Alex Carey were among five of the 10 batters dismissed for single figures.
The innings continued a sensational swing of momentum sparked by South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who led his side from 110-6 to 425-9 with a magnificent 179 off 334 balls.
After following on, Travis Head led Australia’s resistance with an unbeaten 87. He hit nine fours and faced 138 deliveries by stumps, with Scott Boland (2no) keeping him company on nightwatchman duty. Head and Marnus Labuschagne had added 92 off 176 balls for the second wicket to stop the rot.
Australia were 50-1 at tea, but Labuschagne fell 11 overs after the break. He attacked Simon Harmer and was caught at deep mid-on by Jansen. Rabada then struck again, bowling Matt Renshaw for 11 without a stroke. Head reached 50 off 81 balls and added 27 runs with Beau Webster, who was out lbw to Harmer just before the close.
Smith did not come out to bat after taking a blow in the first innings earlier in the day. He will undergo another concussion test after a similar incident in the first Test.
The Proteas are looking to level the three-Test series after suffering a heavy defeat in the opening Test in Durban.
Warner Slams ‘Pathetic’ Test Crowds
Former Australia batter David Warner has criticised the “pathetic” attendances during the ongoing Test series in South Africa.
South Africa lost the first Test by 214 runs in Durban, with large sections of the Kingsmead ground empty. Crowds have not picked up much during the first two rain-affected days of the second Test in Gqeberha.
“We keep hearing how important Test cricket is but where are the fans in South Africa?” Warner said in a social media post on Tuesday. “Empty stands, no atmosphere and we’re supposed to believe the format is thriving? You can’t keep calling Test cricket the pinnacle of the game if no one turns up to watch it. Harsh reality but someone has to say it. Pathetic.”
Warner, along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, was at the centre of the ‘sandpapergate’ scandal that dominated Australia’s last tour of South Africa in 2018. As vice-captain at the time, Warner was given a one-year ban and told he would never be considered for a leadership position within the team again.