Australia still 170 runs behind after following on against South Africa
Australia survived day four of the second Test against South Africa at 156 for four after being dismissed for 99 and forced to follow on. Travis Head and Scott Boland reached the close in Gqeberha, but the tourists remain 170 runs behind. South Africa need six further wickets on the final day to complete the victory.
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South Africa force Australia to follow on
Australia finished day four of the second Test against South Africa on 156 for four in their second innings, still 170 runs behind. The five-day cricket match is being played in Gqeberha, South Africa. Travis Head and Scott Boland survived the closing passage, leaving the hosts six more wickets to take on the final day.[1], [2]
Australia’s first innings ended at 99. South Africa enforced the follow-on, requiring the visitors to bat again immediately rather than taking their own next innings. Australia therefore began a second attempt to reduce the deficit on the same day. Australia lost most of their first-innings wickets during the day, with Marco Jansen prominent in the home attack.[1]
Head remains as four second-innings wickets fall
Nic Maddinson was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada early in Australia’s second innings. Head and Marnus Labuschagne then tried to rebuild. Labuschagne hit Simon Harmer in the air and was caught by Jansen. The dismissal broke that resistance before South Africa added further wickets in their pursuit of a finish within four days.[1], [2]
Matthew Renshaw left a delivery from Rabada, only for the ball to hit his stumps and dismiss him. Beau Webster was then given out lbw to Harmer, bringing the second-innings wicket count to four. Head had benefited from an earlier missed catching opportunity and remained unbeaten as Boland came in to face the late bowling.[1]
Boland defends the final over
The umpires checked the light before Harmer delivered the final over, the closing set of deliveries. Boland defended from front and back foot. After working one delivery off his hip, he declined an available single and retained the strike. He also kept out the final ball, preventing another wicket before the players left the field.[2]
Head had left Boland to face that closing over. Steve Smith had not yet batted in the second innings with a neck problem. South Africa used spin as the light faded, but could not finish the match before stumps. Australia carried six wickets into the final day while still needing 170 runs to make the hosts bat again.[1], [2]
