Cricket live scores: Australia take on South Africa in Second Test in Gqeberha
The Second Test is set to get underway - and the Aussies have pulled a selection surprise as South Africa get their spearhead back. Stay across all the action here!
Cricket: The Second Test is set to get underway - and the Aussies have pulled a selection surprise.
The visitors called in Scott Boland to join an all-pace bowling attack, with Nathan Lyon left out of the XI in Gqeberha.
Pat Cummins’ men hold a 1-0 series lead as they enter this clash under cloudy skies, with some rain forecast across the first couple of days of the Test.
Stay across all the action here, with play set to get underway at 4pm WA time.
Aaron Kirby is reporting live.
Getting heavier
The rain is coming down harder and it looks like we are going to get a fair bit of a delay.
But if you need a cricket fix, don’t miss Australia taking on New Zealand in the women’s T20.
The Aussies are bowling first.
Light drizzle
The rain is very light but there’s no wind to quickly blow it away.
It looks like this may happen throughout the day.
A very good toss to win by Pat Cummins!
Rain delay
The rain has swirled around this morning and it’s back as the covers come back on.
This deck is one of the hardest to bat on in South Africa and this weather will not be helping the home sides’ cause.
Strong squad
South Africa have strengthened their team significantly from the first Test.
Rabada alone is a huge trump card especially now that they boast three bowlers who can bowl faster than 140km/h as well as Mulder who sings the ball nicely.
Debutant Ackerman has a very tough task opening on a green top but he has made more than 1000 runs for South Africa A ahead of his first Test.
Also, putting Rickleton into the middle-order may free him up to play his aggressive style against an old ball.
TEAMS
AUSTRALIA
Nic Maddinson
Travis Head
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Matthew Renshaw
Alex Carey
Beau Webster
Pat Cummins
Mitch Starc
Scott Boland
Josh Hazlewood
SOUTH AFRICA
Aiden Markram
Marques Ackerman
David Bedingham
Temba Bavuma
Matthew Breetzke
Ryan Rickleton
Wiaan Mulder’
Marco Jansen
Simon Harmer
Anrich Nortje
Kagiso Rabada
South Africa
Three changes.
Marques Ackerman comes in with Rabada and Breezkte who played very well in the ODI series.
Ryan Rickleton will take the gloves with Kyle Verreynne and Keshav Maharaj out.
Toss
Pat Cummins wins the toss and bowls first.
Nathan Lyon misses for Boland due to the pitch and Boland training the house down.
Welcome!
We think we have a raft of changes from both sides as Gqeberha throws up a green deck.
Scott Boland looks like he will play for Australia while Kagiso Rabada will return for the Proteas.
Bug match ahead!
