Match Summary and Key Figures
- South Africa 425-9 dec: Bavuma 179, Jansen 85; Boland 5-81
- Australia 99 & 156-4: Head 87*; Rabada 2-30
- Australia trail by 170 runs
- Rare follow-on: Not since the Nottingham Ashes Test in 2005, Shane Warne’s spin and watching Ashley Giles’ leg glance from behind a cushion, had Australia been asked to follow-on in an away Test.
- Historical rarity: It had only happened to them on one other occasion anywhere in the world in 38 years.
Australia find themselves on the brink of defeat in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, having suffered a calamitous batting collapse that has left several players fighting for their international futures.
After holding the hosts at 110-6 on the third day, the tourists surrendered their largest first-innings lead since 1984 before being forced to follow-on. He will not get another chance to bat for his place before Cape Town hosts the third Test from 27 October. And shelling it was the only thing the towering 6ft 8in seamer did wrong all day, it was a sharp catch as Head cut.
By being dismissed for just 99 in their first innings, Australia matched unwanted historical lows.
Not since the Nottingham Ashes Test in 2005 had the team been asked to follow-on in an away Test, an event that has occurred on only one other occasion worldwide in the last 38 years. For some, it might even be too late. They piled up 511 in Brisbane in the next, bowled out for 132 in the first Test of the Ashes last winter. But were bundled out for 198 by Bangladesh in their next Test en route to a shock defeat, they scored 567 at the end of the Ashes. Even the highs of Matt Renshaw’s 190 in the first-Test win in Durban were countered by the fact no other Australian made 50. When plenty of others haven’t, but he has, he’s been given plenty of rope over the past few years. How will the Australian selectors view that dismissal.
The total of 99 marked Australia’s lowest score in the format since their 91 all out against India in Nagpur back in 2023.
Former opener Simon Katich noted that several squad members are playing for their careers during this innings. The batting order’s chronic inconsistency has resurfaced after previous highs, leaving players under intense scrutiny as the series hangs in the balance. According to there are a number of players playing for their careers in this innings,”, Former Australia opener Simon Katich, Australia’s highest scorer from that Trent Bridge Test 21 years ago, on SEN Radio. This South African subsidence was the latest example of an Australian batting line-up only consistent for its inconsistency, if Katich’s words seem strong for a side 1-0 up in the series. Against the breeze, when Australia are trying to play for a draw,” added Katich, only he knows what was going through his mind when he tried to take Harmer down the ground.
Marnus Labuschagne faces mounting pressure following another dismissal. After edging Anrich Nortje to third slip for 14 in the morning session, he was caught at long-on by Simon Harmer for 39 after tea, failing to capitalize on a dropped review just three balls earlier. It is now 47 innings since the 32-year-old registered a Test century.
Opening batsman Nic Maddinson also remains under pressure after edging Kagiso Rabada behind the previous evening, leaving him with two ducks alongside scores of 8 and 48 following his recall at age 34. Meanwhile, young prospect Sam Konstas scored 151 not out for New South Wales in domestic cricket. Leaving the left-hander with two ducks to go with scores of eight and 48 since his surprise recall aged 34, it is because of that very fact Maddinson has chased balls outside off stump in both innings. They faced all of the questions 48 hours ago.
South Africa’s left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen starred with 5-33 in the first innings, removing Renshaw, Alex Carey, and Beau Webster in a devastating spell. Webster, who averages 34.13 with the bat and 28.75 with the ball across 11 completed Tests, fell lbw to Harmer for the day’s 13th wicket and is now without a fifty in seven innings. But Webster, who became the day’s 13th wicket when he was pinned lbw by Harmer in the final 20 minutes, will be another looking over his shoulder, renshaw and wicketkeeper Carey have credit in the bank. After the first two days were almost entirely wiped out by rain, they have a real chance to complete a famous victory and set up a series decider, his potential arrival means South Africa still have work to do but. Wiaan Mulder bowled Smith through the gate for 28 and Mitchell Starc and Australia captain Pat Cummins followed within 11 balls. Now the doubts around Australia’s XI are as loud as ever.
Travis Head offered resistance with an unbeaten 87, though he was dropped early on five by Jansen at gully.
Steve Smith delayed his second-innings entrance due to ongoing treatment for a neck issue after anchoring the first innings with 28 runs from 88 balls. He survived longer than anyone else in the first innings – 88 balls for 28 runs – but was given treatment for an apparent neck issue throughout and remained in the dressing room as evening wickets fell.
At 156-4 in their second knock, Australia remain 170 runs behind with one day remaining.
