Australia are just six wickets away from a crushing second Test loss in Gqeberha, with South Africa eyeing squaring the series at 1-1 on Day 5. Live updates below!
A disastrous fourth day saw the visitors lose 13 wickets and be made to follow-on for the first time in seven years.
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As a result, scrutiny on the team, and in particular underperforming trio Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster, is at fever pitch ahead of next week’s deciding third Test in Cape Town.
The Aussies begin the fifth day 4/156 and still 170 runs behind, with Travis Head just 13 runs away from his second overseas Test century – but his first against opposition in their own backyard.
MATCH CENTRE: Live scores from the second Test
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With the final day to be extended to a maximum of 98 overs and the weather expected to be fine despite some early morning drizzle, the odds are stacked against the visitors in their quest for a draw.
But for Australian great Michael Hussey, the tourists still can do plenty on the final day to make their task in Cape Town easier, regardless of the result.
“If Australia bat the first two sessions, then hopefully they’d be able to pass that deficit and be in front – and then every run’s worth two,” Hussey told foxsports.com.au.
“Every run that we’d get is another one that they have to chase down as well.
“I’d be telling the guys to play their natural game but try and play the percentages. Keep the percentage in your favour. Keep looking to score when we can.”
With quick Anrich Nortje suffering a groin injury on Day 4, the Proteas bowling attack will be undermanned as they look to square the series.
For Hussey, that’s another area the Aussies can look to take advantage of, even if they do slide to defeat as is widely expected.
“Keep trying to keep the South African bowlers out there for as long as possible,” Hussey said.
“Australia’s goal has to be to try and keep South Africa out there all day. Keep them on their legs all day and hopefully if you get close enough you can save the Test match as well.
“Make them bowl two spells, three spells, four spells, five spells – because even if Australia didn’t win this Test match, you never know, it might just have taken a little bit of a toll on their bowlers in the third Test.
“I just think it’s such an important day. If Australia’s rolled over quickly and South Africa only had to bowl until lunch, that gives them more recovery time.”
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Steve Smith is expected to bat, having slid down the order due to a neck injury sustained on Day 4.
The day will resume with Head alongside nightwatchman Scott Boland, with Smith, Alex Carey and the tail in reserve.
A fightback would be a reversal of a famous Proteas draw in a 2012 Test in Adelaide, where the tourists went into Day 5 four down but held on thanks to a defiant debut century from Faf du Plessis and crucial stonewalling hands from AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis.
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
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