South Africa bowled Australia out for just 99 on day four of the second Test in Gqeberha, forcing the tourists to follow on. Australia finished the day on 156-4 in their second innings, still trailing by 170 runs.
Proteas bowlers shine
Marco Jansen led the charge with figures of 5-33, having already made a valuable 85 off 100 balls with the bat. He received strong support from the returning Kagiso Rabada (2-33) and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (2-14), who combined to dismiss Australia in just 42.4 overs.
South Africa had declared their first innings on 425-9, which gave Australia a daunting deficit of 326 runs and left them with an uphill battle once they were asked to bat again. The innings was sparked by skipper Temba Bavuma, who rescued his side from 110-6 with a commanding 179 off 334 balls.
Smith’s struggle and Australia’s first innings
Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 28, but he batted through a neck injury. Five of Australia’s 10 batters were dismissed for single figures, including opener Nic Maddinson, who was out for 0, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Smith did not return to bat after a blow he took in the first innings, and he will undergo another concussion test after a similar incident in the first Test.
Head steadies the ship
Travis Head led the recovery after Australia followed on. He and Marnus Labuschagne added 92 runs off 176 balls for the second wicket, and Australia were 50-1 at tea. Labuschagne fell 11 overs after the break, caught at deep mid-on by Jansen off the bowling of Simon Harmer. Rabada then struck again, bowling Matt Renshaw for 11 without a stroke.
Head continued to bat with purpose. He reached 50 off 81 balls and added 27 runs with Beau Webster before Webster was given out lbw to Harmer just before the close. Head finished unbeaten on 87, hitting nine fours and facing 138 deliveries. Scott Boland was not out on 2 at the other end, batting as nightwatchman.
Warner criticises empty stands
Former Australia batter David Warner has criticised the attendances in the ongoing series in South Africa, calling them “pathetic.” South Africa lost the first Test by 214 runs in Durban, where large sections of the Kingsmead ground were empty, and crowds had not picked up during the first two rain-affected days of the second Test.
“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 was part of the ‘sandpapergate’ scandal that dominated Australia’s last tour of South Africa in 2018, along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft. He was given a one-year ban at the time and told he would never be considered for a leadership position within the team again.
What comes next
South Africa are looking to level the three-Test series after their heavy defeat in the opening match. Day five of the second Test resumes on Thursday, with play starting at 9am.