Boland grabs four wickets, puts Australia in command
- Last updated: October 20, 2026 | 10:33
Scott Boland bowled Australia into a strong position after a lengthy rain delay on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Monday.
Boland took four for 31 as South Africa limped to 97 for five at the close. Captain Temba Bavuma stood firm for the hosts, scoring 41 not out.
Boland came into the team when Australia opted for an all-pace bowling attack, and he followed up his two wickets on the rain-ruined first day by striking in the third over on Monday and again shortly before the close.
Only five runs were added to the overnight 20 for two before Boland struck in his second over of the day. New cap Marques Ackerman was caught behind by wicketkeeper Alex Carey for six, with the left-hander edging a ball bowled from around the wicket which seamed away off the pitch.
Matthew Breetzke, who together with Ackerman was brought into the side to strengthen the batting, made only four before he provided Carey with a third catch when he played a loose shot against Mitchell Starc.
South Africa seemed to be clawing their way back into the contest as Ryan Rickelton (31) added 52 for the fifth wicket with Bavuma but Rickelton fell to a sensational one-handed catch at first slip by Matt Renshaw when Boland was brought back into the attack shortly before the close.
Play started six hours after the scheduled start on Monday after more than 60mm of rain fell overnight and into the morning.
The sun was shining brightly by the time the outfield had dried enough for play to start and batting conditions were expected to ease.
But Boland’s relentless accuracy left world Test champions South Africa in a precarious position as they sought to play their way back into the three-match series after losing the first Test in Durban by 214 runs.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood did not take the field on Tuesday because of illness but was expected to be available on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a senior South African cricket official has pledged to order a review into the low crowd which attended the first Test against Australia in Durban, according to a BBC report.
Despite South Africa being the reigning world Test champions and Australia the number one-ranked side in the world, fewer than 20,000 fans attended across the five days.
Australia, who are touring South Africa for the first time since the 2018 sandpaper scandal, won by 214 runs and can wrap up the three-match series when the second Test gets under way in Gqeberha on Sunday.
“It is impossible to overlook our disappointment that just under 20,000 fans attended across the five days,” said KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union chief executive Heinrich Strydom.
“A Test match of this quality deserved greater support in the stands. This is something we will reflect on through a thorough internal review.
“We need to listen to our supporters, reconnect with our communities and continue to find ways to make Test cricket more accessible, engaging and appealing.
“Test cricket is part of our sporting heritage and its future depends on all of us.”
Agencies