Boland extends Australia’s dominance on curtailed Day 2

Boland Extends Australia’s Dominance on a Curtail‑Day 2

Rain in Gqeberha cut most of Day 2, but Australia’s seam attack, led by Scott Boland, continued to dominate. With Josh Hazlewood absent, Beau Webster stepped in as the fourth pacer.

• Boland: 4‑for‑31, his third wicket of the match (Temba Bavuma). He kept the ball moving, exploiting the seam and bounce to trouble the South African top order.
• Pat Cummins: Applied pressure from the other end, keeping Bavuma and Marques Ackerman in check.
• Ryan Rickelton: Took early wickets and contributed 31 runs, including a quick fifty‑run partnership with Bavuma.
• Bavuma: 41* off 108 balls, steady with the bat, but fell for a single‑digit score after a loose push.
• South Africa: 97/5 (Bavuma 41*, Rickelton 31). The innings was hampered by the rain‑affected pitch and Australia’s disciplined bowling.

Key Moments

• Boland’s early wickets set the tone; he also hit a six off Cummins.
• Rickelton’s back‑foot punch helped him reach fifty in the partnership with Bavuma.
• A late edge by Rickelton was missed by keeper Alex Carey, turning into a blunder for South Africa.

Brief Scores

• South Africa 97/5 (Bavuma 41*, Rickelton 31)
• Australia – score not yet available

Note: The match was delayed by six hours on Day 1 and played under damp conditions, affecting the pitch and play schedule.