Slug: jansen-rabada-south-africa-australia-test
Category: Sports
Focus keyphrase: South Africa Australia Test
SEO title: Jansen, Rabada Put South Africa on Top Against Australia
Meta description: Marco Jansen took 5-33 and Kagiso Rabada struck twice as South Africa closed in on a series-levelling win over Australia in Gqeberha.
Tags: South Africa vs Australia, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Test cricket, Travis Head, cricket, sports
Original element: our own data point — series context from our cricket coverage (Australia’s 214-run first-Test win, Renshaw’s player-of-the-match role there); explainer on Bavuma’s follow-on decision despite Nortje’s injury.
Jansen and Rabada Put South Africa on Course for Series-Levelling Win
Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada bowled South Africa to the brink of a series-levelling victory over Australia on a dramatic fourth day of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Australia were bowled out for just 99 in their first innings on Wednesday, their fourth-lowest total against South Africa. Forced to follow on, the visitors reached 156 for 4 at stumps, still 170 runs short of making South Africa bat again. Travis Head was unbeaten on 87.
Jansen’s five-wicket burst
Jansen, the tall left-arm quick, claimed five wickets for 33 runs in the first innings of the South Africa Australia Test. He struck with his first ball of the day, having nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind in the second over.
He then removed Head, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey and Beau Webster as Australia collapsed. It was a spell of sustained pace and movement that ripped through the middle order.
Rabada tightens the grip
With South Africa holding a 326-run first-innings lead, captain Temba Bavuma enforced the follow-on despite losing Anrich Nortje to a groin injury. Nortje had dismissed Marnus Labuschagne in the first innings but bowled only 3.3 overs before pulling up.
In Nortje’s absence, Bavuma rotated Rabada, Jansen and fellow seamer Wiaan Mulder in short spells, while off-spinner Simon Harmer bowled 18 overs and took two wickets.
Rabada struck twice in the second innings. He dismissed opener Nic Maddinson cheaply for the second time in the match, then bowled Renshaw, the man named player of the match after Australia’s 214-run victory in the first Test.
Harmer broke a 92-run second-wicket stand between Head and Labuschagne when the latter’s aggressive shot was caught by Jansen, who ran back from mid-on to take the catch in a stiff breeze.
Smith’s injury worry
There was concern for Australia over Steve Smith, who did not bat in the second innings after appearing to struggle with a neck injury. He had top-scored with 28 in the first innings.
South Africa vs Australia: what happens on day five
South Africa need six wickets on the final day to level the series at 1-1. Australia need another 170 runs to make the hosts bat again, with Head the key wicket. After their first-Test defeat, the home side’s pace attack has roared back in emphatic fashion.
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What were Jansen’s figures against Australia?
Marco Jansen took 5 wickets for 33 runs as Australia were bowled out for 99 in the first innings.
Why did Steve Smith not bat in the second innings?
Smith appeared to struggle with a neck injury while scoring 28 in the first innings and did not bat in the second.
Can Australia save the second Test?
Australia were 156-4 at stumps on day four, still 170 runs short of making South Africa bat again, with Travis Head on 87 not out.
