Scott Boland's four wickets leave South Africa 97 for five in rain-hit Gqeberha Test
Only a few hours of cricket were possible across two days at St George's Park, and Australia's fourth seamer made most of them.
· 2 min read
Scott Boland took four for 31 as South Africa reached 97 for five after two rain-affected days of the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha. Australia lead the three-match series 1-0.
Key takeaways
- South Africa were 97 for five after two rain-hit days of the second Test in Gqeberha.
- Scott Boland took four for 31, including Aiden Markram and David Bedingham off consecutive balls on day one.
- Rain cut day one to 12.2 overs and delayed the start of day two by six hours.
- Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs and lead the series 1-0.
Four wickets for 31 runs. That is what Scott Boland, Australia's fourth fast bowler, has taken out of a second Test that rain has squeezed into a few short sessions. After two days at St George's Park in Gqeberha, South Africa are 97 for five.
Two balls on day one
Australia won the toss and bowled on Sunday, but the morning was almost entirely lost. Play began after a delay of nearly two hours and South Africa reached 11 without loss at lunch. More rain followed. When the players did return, Boland bowled Aiden Markram for 11 in the ninth over and had David Bedingham caught behind first ball, leaving the hosts 12 for two. Only 12.2 overs were bowled all day, and South Africa closed on 20 for two.
Monday was no kinder. Rain held up the start by six hours. Five runs had been added when Boland struck in his second over: debutant Marques Ackerman, on six, edged a ball angled from around the wicket that moved away off the pitch, and Alex Carey took the catch. Matthew Breetzke followed for four, caught by Carey off Mitchell Starc after a loose shot.
Ryan Rickelton, keeping wicket and batting in the middle order, put on 52 for the fifth wicket with captain Temba Bavuma. Rickelton had 31 when Boland returned shortly before the close and Matt Renshaw took a one-handed catch at first slip.
A bowler waiting his turn
Boland, 37, had not played first-class cricket since March or a Test since January. He came in for off-spinner Nathan Lyon as Australia picked an all-seam attack alongside Pat Cummins, Starc and Josh Hazlewood, all four of them ranked in the top ten Test bowlers.
My mindset is to find my line and length quickly.
South Africa's batting coach Ashwell Prince said Boland rarely misses his spot and compared him with Vernon Philander, but argued that a soft, moving surface should help South Africa's own seamers too.
What is at stake
South Africa made three changes after losing the first Test in Durban by 214 runs. Kagiso Rabada returned from a hamstring injury; Kyle Verreynne, Tristan Stubbs and Keshav Maharaj were left out, and Breetzke and Ackerman came in to strengthen the batting.
The world Test champions slipped to third in the current World Test Championship standings after Durban, behind leaders Australia and New Zealand. A second defeat here would settle the three-match series.
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