Australia may have the ascendancy after two days of rain-affected play at St George’s Park, but South Africa still have hope they can salvage a result in the second Test.
After 42 overs, the hosts sit 5/97 at stumps, with Scott Boland leading the way for the visitors with a trademark seam bowling masterclass.
However, South African skipper Temba Bavuma remains at the crease unbeaten on 41 with a gritty display that could inspire his side according to batting coach Ashwell Prince.
MATCH CENTRE: Live scores from the second Test
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“I think a big part and a big positive in Temba’s play today was decision-making,” Prince said to the ICC.
“There tends to be a lot of discussion about technique and technical things. But I think decision-making so far from him was exceptional.
“At the moment, the skipper’s out there digging deep, standing up, long way to continue tomorrow. And hopefully you’ll have a few partners digging in with him. And that’s why we love this format.”
Another factor Prince believes could play in South Africa’s hands is the pitch — which has been hit with ample moisture during the first two days.
Australia boast the likes of Boland, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc, but the hosts have a trump card up their sleeves in the returning Kagiso Rabada.
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The spearhead quick takes the field for the first time since the IPL in May and he shapes as a wildcard that could extract as much as possible from a patchy wicket.
“We still have to bowl as well. The ball is moving around and I think the ball will move around as the Test match goes on,” Prince said.
“There’s already some divots out there. Obviously, weather conditions before the match, plus during the match, with moisture, rain, pitch may be starting out a bit softer than usual. So, there are divots already developing on the surface.
“If the sun comes out, that might firm up and the ball might move around a little bit faster, maybe.
“We don’t know. So, we say you can only tell what the pitch does until both teams are batted.”
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Match details
Venue: St George’s Park, Gqeberha
First ball: 6:45pm (AEDT)
Watch it live: On Fox Cricket (channel 501), and streaming on Kayo, from 6pm (AEDT)
Teams
Australia: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabda, Anrich Nortje