South Africa have forced Australia to follow on after skittling them for just 99 on day four of the second Test in Gqeberha, leaving the tourists trailing by 170 runs at the close of play.
Marco Jansen starred with the ball, taking 5-33 after making 85 off 100 with the bat. He led a ferocious Proteas attack, supported by the returning Kagiso Rabada (2-33) and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (2-14), who dismissed Australia in just 42.4 overs.
South Africa’s first-innings total of 425 after declaring gave Australia a daunting deficit of 326 runs, and the tourists were forced to follow on.
Australia reach 156-4 in second innings
Australia finished day four on 156-4 in their second innings, still 170 runs behind.
In the first innings, Steve Smith top-scored with 28 while 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.
South Africa’s momentum swung sharply in the match thanks to captain Temba Bavuma, who led his side from 110-6 to 425-9 with a magnificent 179 off 334 balls.
Following on, Travis Head led Australia’s recovery with 87 not out. He hit nine fours and faced 138 deliveries by stumps, with Scott Boland (2no) keeping him company as nightwatchman. Head and Labuschagne added 92 off 176 balls for the second wicket to stem the flow of wickets.
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 in the second innings after the blow he took earlier in the day in the first innings. He will undergo another concussion test after a similar incident in the first Test.
The Proteas are aiming to level the three-Test series after suffering a heavy defeat in the opening Test in Durban.
Warner criticises ‘pathetic’ 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, where large sections of the Kingsmead ground were empty. Crowds have not really picked up 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 Smith and Cameron Bancroft, was part 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.