South Africa 20 for 2 against Australia
Boland’s double, where he removed Aiden Markram and David Bedingham in consecutive balls to put himself on a hat-trick, left South Africa working on 20 for 2 when the rain returned in the afternoon and did not relent with play abandoned at 4:15 p.m. Exceedances may be made up over the following days, even if the weather forecast indicates more bad weather.
The morning drizzle had cleared to allow a toss in time, which Pat Cummins won and slotted South Africa in, but returned to delay the start by 90 minutes. Only 5.3 overs were possible before the next stop which brought an early lunch.
Four balls in his next over against Boland were in the wickets when Markram, who had had two fine drives against Starc in the first over of the game, looked to advance in a delivery that pinched and took an inside edge to flatten middle stump.
It was tough work for all the South African batters and there could be few tougher introductions to Test cricket for Ackerman, who had never opened before in his first-class career. After sweating on 0 for 14 balls, a thick edge went over the gully to deflect it moments before the players left the field for the rain for the first time.
Bavuma, who had a poor test with the bat in Durban, took off with a thick edge through the cordon.
Earlier in the day it was clear about 15 minutes before the toss that Australia had opted for an all-out attack when Lyon strolled around in trainers while Boland warmed up then marked his run with the offspinner holding the tape measure.
It was the first time since 2013 that Lyon did not feature in a red ball test despite being available. Last year he was twice excluded from day-night Tests in Jamaica and Brisbane, decisions which left him unimpressed on both occasions. Australia’s management for this match will be in the hands of its various part-time players: Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Beau Webster and Marnus Labuschagne.
South Africa were boosted by the return of Kagiso Rabada who left Keshav Maharaj ruled out as the home side rebalanced their attack, although unlike Australia they still fielded a specialist in Simon Harmer. Alongside Ackerman, Matthew Breetzke also entered the batting lineup while Ryan Rickelton was moved into the middle order as wicketkeeper.
Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs.
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