Temba Bavuma fights alone as Australia storm second Test: 97-5 at Gqeberha
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- South Africa ended day two of the second Test on 97 for 5 at St George's Park, Gqeberha. Rain allowed only 30.4 overs of play.
- Captain Temba Bavuma stood unbeaten on 41. He shared a 52-run stand with Ryan Rickelton before the late wicket fell.
- Scott Boland took 4 for 31 for Australia. The visitors lead the three-match series 1-0 after a 214-run win in Durban.
Temba Bavuma is the reason cricket fans are searching his name today. The South Africa captain stood unbeaten on 41. His team ended day two of the second Test in deep trouble.
Australia had the hosts 97 for 5 at St George's Park in Gqeberha. Rain had eaten most of the day's play.
What happened
Rain has been the main story of this Test. A Test match is a five-day cricket game. Rain ruined day one too.
Only 12.2 overs were possible on Sunday. South Africa closed that day on 20 for 2. Scott Boland had already removed Aiden Markram for 11 and David Bedingham for a duck.
A duck means a batter scores no runs at all.
Day two started no better. Morning rain wiped out the first session. Ground staff checked the field again and again.
They held pitch inspections at 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm and 3pm. Play finally began at 3:45pm local time.
Boland struck in the third over back. Debutant Marques Ackerman edged a moving ball behind. He was out for 6.
South Africa slipped to 25 for 3.
Matthew Breetzke came in next. He looked calm at first. He left a few dangerous balls alone.
Then he chased a wide ball from Mitchell Starc and nicked it to the wicketkeeper. He was gone for 4. The scoreboard read 40 for 4.
That is when Bavuma dug in. He refused to give his wicket away. He found a partner in Ryan Rickelton.
The pair added 52 runs for the fifth wicket. They played with more and more confidence. Bavuma even pulled a short ball from Pat Cummins clean over the rope for six.
The home crowd finally had something to cheer.
Rickelton got a life on 26. Marnus Labuschagne dropped a simple catch at leg slip off Cummins. It looked like an easy take.
The miss cost Australia only five more runs. Two overs later Boland beat Rickelton's edge. The ball flew past the wicketkeeper.
Matt Renshaw threw out his right hand at first slip. He held a brilliant one-handed catch. Rickelton had to go for 31.
At stumps, Bavuma was 41 not out from 108 balls. Wiaan Mulder stood with him on 2. The fall of wickets told the story: 12, 12, 25, 40 and 92.
Five wickets down, and the captain carrying the whole innings.
Why it matters
Bavuma is trending because he is South Africa's last hope. Australia lead this series 1-0. They won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs last week.
If Australia win this game too, the series is over with one game left. Everything now rests on the captain's shoulders.
Boland is the other big story of the match. He is 37 years old. This was his first Test since January.
Australia picked him ahead of spinner Nathan Lyon. Boland only learned he was playing minutes before the toss. He has now taken 4 for 31 from 14 overs.
His career bowling average sits at 18.08. That is the best mark since World War Two, per Cricket Australia. The mark needs a 50-wicket cut-off.
"Sometimes I'll take 30 balls just jumping through my action," Boland told reporters. "I did it the other day and it took six. I was feeling good," he added.
South Africa's assistant coach Ashwell Prince compared Boland to a famous name. He praised Boland's accuracy first. "He doesn't miss his spot often," Prince said of the Australian.
"He doesn't leave his spot very often, very consistent, and hits the seam." Prince likened Boland to Vernon Philander, the pinpoint-accurate South African seamer of the past.
Australia did all of this without Josh Hazlewood. The fast bowler took 6 for 49 in the first Test. That was a career-best return.
He missed day two with an upset stomach. His absence opened the door for Boland. Boland has walked straight through it.
The numbers show how hard batting has been. In two days, only 55.2 overs have been possible. Rain has stolen the rest.
South Africa's top order has fallen for almost nothing. Bavuma's 41 is the highest score of the innings. Nobody else has passed 31.
What happens next
Day three is set for Tuesday. There is good news for fans on that front. Dawn reported that no more rain is forecast for the rest of the Test.
Extra time will be added to all three sessions to make up for lost play. Full days of cricket should finally be possible.
Bavuma and Mulder must now build a big stand. They resume with the score on 97 for 5. South Africa still have Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada to come.
A total near 250 would give the hosts something to bowl at. Anything much less, and Australia will smell a quick win.
Australia's first job is clear. They want Boland's fifth wicket as fast as possible. If the tail folds quickly, the visitors can take control.
They will then try to bat South Africa out of the game.
The third and final Test starts on October 27 in Cape Town. South Africa must avoid defeat in Gqeberha to carry the fight there. A draw would keep the series alive.
A loss ends it early.
For now, all eyes stay on one man. Temba Bavuma walked off unbeaten on 41. His team needs much more from him on day three.
Cricket fans across Australia are watching every ball. That is why his name is everywhere today.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,