Australia restricted to 243 as Rabada takes five

Kagiso Rabada’s eighth five-wicket haul restricted Australia’s first innings to 243 on the first day of the second Test at Port Elizabeth. Kagiso Rabada’s bowling figures of five wickets for 96 runs demolished Australia’s middle order after the visitors got off to a flying start courtesy of David Warner’s 63 runs and Bancroft’s 38 runs. In response, South Africa was 39 for 01 wickets at stumps.

Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat first. His decision proved right as Warner and Bancroft kept the hosts wicket-less for 26 overs. Vernon Philander broke the opening stand of 98 runs in the 27th over as he forced Bancroft to edge a fuller delivery to Quinton de Kock. Philander also removed Usman Khawaja cheaply and Warner too went back in the 37th over after getting castled by Lungi Ngidi.

After this, it was all Kagiso Rabada at Port Elizabeth. The pace bowler first trapped Steve Smith in front of wickets and then accounted for both of the Marsh brothers. He sent back Pat Cummins for a golden duck and delivered an unplayable delivery to Mitchell Marsh. The out-swinger uprooted Marsh’s off stump and with it, Rabada claimed his eighth five-wicket haul.

Tim Paine once again tagged with the tailenders to gather vital runs for Australia. He was ably supported by Nathan Lyon (17 runs off 20 balls) and Josh Hazlewood. Australia’s last three wickets added 73 runs courtesy of Paine’s significant contribution of 36 runs off 68 balls.

Ngidi got rid of Paine to end Australia’s innings for 243. He finished the innings with impressive figures of three for 52 while Philander took two wickets for 25 runs.

In their first innings, South Africa lost their opener Aiden Markram to Pat Cummins in the eighth over. After that Dean Elgar and night watchman, Rabada ensured no more damage was inflicted and the pair finished the day unscratched. The hosts have scored 39 runs so far and are still 204 runs behind Australia.