SA vs AUS 2nd Test: Boland 4-31 leaves South Africa 97/5 in Gqeberha

South Africa were 97 for 5 at stumps on day two of the second Test against Australia at St George's Park, Gqeberha, on Monday, with Scott Boland taking 4 for 31 and captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 41, BBC Sport reported. Rain wiped out most of the day, but the 43 overs that were possible were enough to leave Australia, who won the first Test, in control of the series. ESPNcricinfo's report put it plainly: Bavuma fought, but Boland's four put Australia in complete control.

How the wickets fell

South Africa had resumed on 20 for 2 after a rain-hit first day in which Australia chose to bowl. Boland needed only seven balls on Monday to strike again: debutant opener Marques Ackerman lunged forward and edged to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. It was Boland's 85th wicket in his 20th Test.

Matthew Breetzke, picked for his white-ball form in place of Tristan Stubbs, made 4 off 17 before he was caught driving loosely at Mitchell Starc. Ryan Rickelton, moved down to number six and given the gloves, was hit on the body, dropped on 26 by Marnus Labuschagne, and then edged Boland to first slip, where Matt Renshaw scooped up a sharp one-handed catch.

Boland's remarkable numbers

Boland came into the side for spinner Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood spent the day at the team hotel with illness, yet Australia missed neither. According to CricViz figures quoted by the BBC:

• 84% of Boland's deliveries in the series have pitched on a good length.
• 63% of his 84 balls in this innings were on a good line and length, and 24% would have hit the stumps, double the 12% of Pat Cummins, the next best.
• His Test average is now 18.08, and no bowler since the First World War has taken as many wickets at a better rate.

Starc, by contrast, has landed only 29% of his balls on a good line and length.

What South Africa need

With the weather expected to improve, there are three days left. Much depends on Bavuma and the lower order, and then on Kagiso Rabada, who took 11 for 150 against Australia on this ground in 2018. Australia won the first Test, so South Africa need a big turnaround to keep the series alive.

Pakistan time and how to watch

Play in Gqeberha starts at 10am local time, which is 1pm in Pakistan, and sessions may start earlier to make up time lost to rain. Live scores are on our cricket match centre. Streaming in Pakistan has been on Tapmad, subject to rights.

Pakistan fans have their own cricket today: Pakistan play England at Rawalpindi at 1:30pm PKT in the home ODI tri-series. Schedule, results and table are on our Pakistan tri-series page.

Scores: South Africa 97 for 5 (43 overs; Bavuma 41*; Boland 4-31) v Australia, day two of five, second Test, Gqeberha.