By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: CSA.
Live from St George’s Park: Marco Jansen had Australia in trouble from his first ball of the fourth morning.
By the time South Africa’s towering left arm quick had finished, the visitors had been dismissed for 99, their hopes of taking an unassailable series lead badly shaken and the Proteas were dreaming of a famous victory in Gqeberha.
Jansen claimed five for 33 as Australia collapsed in the second Test at St George’s Park, with Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder providing relentless support.
South Africa enforced the follow on after establishing a first innings lead of 326, then struck again to leave Australia 156 for four at stumps, still 170 runs behind and facing a final day of enormous pressure.
It was a remarkable turnaround from a South African side that had been 110 for six on Tuesday, when Temba Bavuma’s magnificent 179 began to rescue their innings. Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer followed the captain’s lead with crucial contributions, lifting South Africa to 429 for nine declared and giving their bowlers a total to defend.
Jansen needed only one delivery to remove nightwatchman Scott Boland, who edged through to Ryan Rickelton. Travis Head followed on 14 after Bavuma reviewed an initial not out decision, ball tracking showing the delivery would have hit the top of middle stump. Australia were 22 for three, and the pressure was immediate.
Simon Harmer then produced a stunning one handed catch at gully to remove Marnus Labuschagne, while Jansen continued to exploit the bounce. Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey fell in quick succession before lunch, both undone by the left armer’s extra lift. Carey departed for a second ball duck, and Australia went into the break at 69 for six.
Jansen finished the job after lunch, taking Beau Webster with another delivery that climbed sharply. Mulder helped dismantle the lower order, including Steven Smith, who top scored with 28 but struggled with a painful neck complaint.
Smith became only the 12th player to reach 11,000 Test runs, yet his milestone was overshadowed by Australia’s collapse for their fourth lowest total against South Africa.
South Africa’s celebrations were tempered by concern when Anrich Nortje limped off with a suspected right groin injury in his fourth over. Having returned to Test cricket in Durban after more than three years away from the red ball game,
Nortje had already helped remove Labuschagne with a superb catch from Harmer. His absence left the remaining bowlers with a heavier workload. They responded superbly.
Rabada removed Nic Maddinson early in Australia’s second innings, while Harmer claimed Labuschagne for 39 and trapped Webster lbw. Labuschagne had survived a review when Harmer’s delivery was projected to miss leg stump, but later charged the spinner and sent the ball high towards mid on. Jansen ran back and held the catch, ending a partnership of 92 with Head.
Head remained Australia’s principal hope, reaching stumps unbeaten on 87. He had been dropped by Jansen early in his innings and made South Africa pay with a determined counterattack, but the wickets kept falling around him. Renshaw was bowled by Rabada and Webster was trapped by Harmer.
Bavuma had said South Africa would need to spend most of the final two days in the field if they were to force a result. With Nortje potentially unavailable, the challenge has become harder, but the Proteas have given themselves a genuine chance.
They were in serious trouble two days ago. Now, with Jansen leading a fierce and disciplined attack, they are only 6 wickets away from levelling the series.