'Anything is possible': Proteas still fighting in rain-hit Test against Australia | The Citizen

When stumps were drawn on Monday, South Africa had reached 97/5 in their first innings.

Despite being in trouble in their first innings with three days left to play, batting coach Ashwell Prince believes the Proteas can still pull a win out the bag in the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha.

After a slow start to the match, Australia were in control, but there was still a lot of cricket to play after two days of limited action in Gqeberha.

At the close of play on Monday, the SA team were on 97/5, with only 43 overs having been bowled over the first two days of the game due to rain delays. Temba Bavuma was on 41 runs not out after facing 108 balls overnight, and Wiaan Mulder was unbeaten on two off 15.

“Obviously the weather conditions before the match and during the match with moisture and rain, the pitch maybe starting out a bit softer than usual, there are already divots developing on the surface,” Prince said.

“If the sun comes out that might firm up and the ball might move around a little bit faster maybe – we don’t know – so as we say you can only tell what the pitch does when both teams have batted.

“I think there’s still a bit of time left in the game, so anything is still possible.”

Proteas struggling

Resuming their first innings at 20/2 in the final session of the day, the home side were unable to gain any real traction.

After waiting patiently for play to get underway after tea, the SA side were placed under early pressure when debutant Marques Ackerman fell in the third over of the day, caught behind for just six runs after facing 38 balls overnight.

Soon afterwards, Matthew Breetzke was also caught behind, getting an outside edge to wicketkeeper Alex Carey off a Mitchell Starc delivery after contributing four runs.

And the Proteas continued to tumble. Ryan Rickelton, who was given a life when he was dropped by Marnus Labuschagne in the slips on 26, was also caught behind just two overs later after hitting 31 off 51.

Seam bowler Scott Boland led Australia’s attack, taking 4/31 as he played a key role in placing the hosts on the back foot.