South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test, Preview, Live updates, Playing XI, Live Streaming

Australia tour of South Africa 2018

South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test at Port Elizabeth

The Background

In what was being viewed as another high-profile series of 2018, South Africa and Australia epitomized it to the hilt with a thrilling first Test that ended amidst the Stairway brawl between Warner and de Kock. Australia won the first Test comprehensively by 119 runs and will be looking to make further dents into the confidence of the beleaguered South African team, come Port Elizabeth.

Pitch and Weather conditions:

The pitch at Port Elizabeth is expected to be on the slower side and spinners from both sides will be expected to play a significant part as the game progresses.

When: Thursday, 9th March 2018 at 13:30 PM IST

Where: St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth

Australia

Australia dominated the first Test from the outset with their brilliant pace attack putting a stranglehold on the Proteas batsmen. While Mitchel Marsh was the eventual difference between the teams with his astounding 96 with the bat, Smith would be relieved to see Cameron Bancroft amongst the runs after questions have been raised on his spot in the team after a string of indifferent performances. A string of gritty knocks will go a long way for the opener in establishing his place in the team. Australia has named an unchanged XI for the second Test.

Australia (XI) David Warner, Steve Smith (C), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (WK), Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa

While the Stairway brawl overshadowed the proceedings of the Durban Test, it has to be said that South Africa was completely outplayed in all facets of the game and at one stage looked prime for a humiliating loss before Markram, de Bruyn and de Kock’s resilience saved them from the blushes.

South Africa would want their senior pros in Amla and du Plessis to contribute with the bat a lot more than they did in Durban. The match was effectively lost once they were bowled out for a sub-200 total in reply to Australia’s 351. While their batting was below-par, South Africa lacked energy on the field particularly from their senior fast bowler, Morne Morkel, and with the home side deciding to play seven specialist batsmen the bowlers would have to step up substantially to stage a comeback for the home side.

South Africa (15-member squad) Faf du Plessis (C), Hashim Amla, Dean Elgar. Temba Bavuma, AB de Villiers, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (WC), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

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