Live: Australia to unleash all-out pace attack in second Test against RSA
Australia looks to build on its spectacular first Test victory over South Africa when the series moves to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
Stop changing the batting order
Australia has chopped and changed the batting order a few times of late, with a rotating cast of middle order batters tried and discarded up top.
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has led the calls for the team's selectors to stop changing it up and to let the players settle in fixed roles, despite some questionable returns in Durban.
"They've got to pick and stick now," Waugh said.
"Don't mess around with that now. [Renshaw] has been successful, and he's comfortable, so I'd keep him there, for sure."
Makeshift opener Travis Head scored just 9 and 11 at Kingsmead, with the returning Nic Maddinson managing a 50-minute, 33-ball duck before a far improved 48 in the second innings.
Meanwhile, Matt Renshaw, who has opened for Australia and Queensland in the past, totalled match-winning scores of 190 and 82 at number five.
"It's got to be pretty compelling to move him [Renshaw] from there," Pat Cummins said after the first Test.
"We're always working out the six batters, or seven plus [Alex Carey] and how is that going to function as a whole?
"I still think he [Renshaw] can be a great opener … we're pretty certain that we like Marn [Labuschagne] at number 3, Smithy at number 4, and then, the six and seven felt pretty locked up.
"I think bringing in Maddo, we really like the idea of bringing that flexibility, that unlocks a lot [such as] Trav back to number 5, Renners down to number 5, even Maddo himself at five.
"We haven't had that option [in] the last few years where we feel like we've got plenty of options at the top.
"We're very big on that flexibility. I think having the structure that we do now with a few guys that can open, that's really unlocked that."
Matthew Wade said the players were happy to be flexible.
"If the conditions tell us it's time to change the batting order, we'll make that change," he said.
"We've seen over the last little bit that we've been able to adapt really quickly and more importantly the players take it on so easily - and credit to them."
- with Reuters
Scott Boland is marking out his run up...
By Simon Smale
By Simon Smale
If you needed further suggestions that Scott Boland is in the line up to play, he is warming up at the moment.
I'd suggest that means Cameron Green is not going to be selected - and I'd guess that Nathan Lyon might miss out too.
Yesterday Pat Cummins said that all the bowlers were available and he would name the side at the toss, in about 8 minutes time.
Pitch looks... spicy
By Simon Smale
By Simon Smale
The covers have been on and off this morning, our spies in South Africa tell us - which is no mean feat given how windy it gets in the city formerly known as Port Elizabeth.
But as it happens, you might need directions to where the pitch is when the covers aren't on it, as this photo from Dan Cherny shows.
That looks like a dog of a pitch, damp and with plenty of grass on it.
Spicy.
Our spies have also suggested that Scott Boland is out there warming up for Australia, no surprise given the overcast conditions and state of that pitch.
Rabada return spells danger for Aussie batters
By Simon Smale
By Simon Smale
Former Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has warned Australia to expect a far more dangerous South African attack in this Test, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada set to return.
Rabada missed Australia’s 214-run victory in Durban with a hamstring injury.
"The thing that stands out with him is his competitiveness," Wade told reporters earlier in the week.
"He takes it to the opposition, he'll be in our face, he'll keep coming for the whole Test match, so we really know that."
Wade worked with Rabada in the Indian Premier League and said the bowler's ability to sustain pressure would give the hosts greater versatility after they struggled to contain Australia in the series-opener.
"They went with two spinners last time but ... him and [Anrich] Nortje can basically take one quick spot and [do] short spells and really attack as hard if they want to."
- with Reuters
South Africa make changes
By Simon Smale
By Simon Smale
After a pretty comprehensive 214-run defeat last time out, South Africa made a couple of tweaks to their squad, calling up Matthew Breetzke and dropping Tristan Stubbs.
That has meant a batting order reshuffle for today's second Test.
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said on Wednesday that there was no need for knee-jerk reactions to the defeat and that his team just "need to get bloody better" this week.
However, on Thursday he announced that Ryan Rickelton will be the wicketkeeper, which is likely to mean Kyle Verreynne, who has not scored a Test 50 in his last 13 innings, will be dropped from the team, despite still being in the squad.
Breetzke, who has played two previous Tests for South Africa, in Bangladesh in late 2024 and Zimbabwe last year and has a first-class average of 37, last played a first-class match in February.
He did score a century in the first One Day International against the Aussies last month though.
"Matt has been part of the squad before and the fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane and also, more importantly, the attitude and the character Matt brings, and has, will go a long way," Conrad said.
"With Ricks [Rickelton] taking the gloves, there are obviously decisions to be made over whether he does move down the order or whether he can continue to open the batting and take the gloves, which he has done before.
"We'll have a look at what the conditions are like, but there are a few things to consider before play starts."
That puts Breetzke in contention to open with Aiden Markram.
- with Reuters
Good evening cricket fans
By Simon Smale
By Simon Smale
Hello everybody and welcome to the ABC Sport coverage of the Australian tour of South Africa!
It's time for the second Test of the series and, off the back of an emphatic victory in Durban last week, Australia are looking to wrap up the series with a victory here in Gqeberha.
My name is Simon Smale, Dean Bilton will join we shortly, and Henry Hanson will be here and there throughout the next few of days, by which time the series may well have been decided before we even get to Cape Town later this month.
As ever, it is a genuine pleasure to be here with you for what should be a fascinating Test match between the two top ranked teams in the world.
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