Published: Nov 12, 2016, 04:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 12, 2016, 12:47 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s coverage of South Africa in Australia 2016-17. This is the second Test and here you will get all the live updates of Day One. The match will be played at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart. South Africa are in a comfortable position in the series now after posting an emphatic victory over the hosts at the WACA ground, perth. They are one up and will look to win the series straight away while the hosts will put in their hundred per cent to keep the series alive by winning the second Test. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs South Africa, 2nd Test at Hobart
The Proteas pulled off a terrific comeback in the first Test. They were at the back foot at the start of the match, ending their first innings with 242 runs on the board against a long Australian batting line-up. David Warner and Shaun Marsh provided the team the perfect start, bringing up teams’ hundred. The duo remained unbeaten on Day One and continued batting on Day Two. Unsuccessful on Day One, the visitors’ bowlers were effective the following day. Dale Steyn provided them the first breakthrough, removing a set Warner for 97 and Australia kept on throwing wickets afterwards, getting all out for 244 with a 2-run lead. The following innings, Perth crowd witnessed a terrific show with the bat as both Dean Elgar and JP Duminy scored their individual Test tons. Though the team had lost early wickets in Hashim Amla and Stephen Cook, Elgar and Duminy made up for it as the partnership added a mammoth 250 runs. Quinton de Kock remained consistent with runs as he scored a good 64 after his lone effort of 84 in the first innings.
Vernon Philander did a great job, building up a crucial partnership with de Kock as well as the tail-enders and scoring 73 runs. A cameo of 34-ball 41 came from debutant Keshav Maharaj to push the score to 540 for 8 upon declaration. Chasing the target, Australia could do nothing much in front of a Steyn-less bolwing. Kagiso Rabada utilised the pitch beautifully, producing reverse swing and getting 5 wickets in the innings while all the other bowlers also joined hands. It was only Usman Khawaja among the top-order batsmen who scored some good runs while Peter Nevill’s 60 not out was commendable. Earlier, Keshav Maharaj had bagged 3 wickets during Australia’s first batting innings, making his debut special. South Africa won the match comfortably by 177 runs.
Squads:
Australia: Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Peter Nevill (wk), Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, Joe Burns, Callum Ferguson, Adam Voges, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Joe Mennie. Withdrawn players: Shaun Marsh and Peter Siddle.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Dane Vilas (wk), Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Dwaine Pretorius, Vernon Philander, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rilee Rossouw, Kyle Abbott. Withdrawn player: Dale Steyn.
