Australian wickets tumble after ‘gutless’ tourists forced to follow on

12.46am

Head and Labuschagne dig in as skies darken

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It’s getting overcast in Gqeberha as Head and Labuschagne try to get through to the end of the day.

A bit of rain would be welcomed by the tourists. Smith, meanwhile, has re-emerged in the team viewing area.

yesterday 11.59pm

TEA: Australia 1-50 second innings (Head 26*, Labuschagne 16*)

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The Aussies have made it to tea without losing another wicket as they try to survive today.

Conditions remain difficult but the winds seemed to challenge both sides in the closing stages of the session.

Expect Rabada and co to come out firing in the final session - even if they can’t win today, they could still take down several of the top order.

yesterday 11.54pm

Where will Smith bat this innings?

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There is also some conjecture about where Smith will bat in this innings after his struggles with a neck issue earlier in the day.

Smith is in the dressing room, but pictures of the team viewing area have shown Renshaw and Webster padded up.

It’s customary for the next two players due in to do so.

yesterday 11.51pm

High winds hit St George’s Park

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We are about to get a period of high winds at St George’s Park, as Head and Labuschagne try to survive.

That won’t be ideal for the bowlers either.

AUS 1-43 in their second innings.

yesterday 11.44pm

Harmer on after 12 overs

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The Proteas have gone to off-spinner Simon Harmer after just 12 overs in the second innings.

Bavuma may be just trying to give his quick some additional rest with the tea break coming up but the ball is still very new.

Harmer is an experienced pro who will know how to use the newer ball but the Aussies are also looking to play their shots against him.

Rababa is bowling at the other end, so it could be a tough turnaround for the Aussies to face spin and then express pace.

AUS 1-39 with Lahuschange on 13 and Head on 17. They are 287 runs behind.

yesterday 11.33pm

Head dropped in gully

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Travis Head played an uppish backfoot punch and it went through Jansen’s usually reliable hands.

It was going so hard, it ended up going for four but Jansen is very disappointed.

That sort of drop can come back to haunt you, even in such a powerful position as this.

AUS 1-29 in their second innings with Labuschagne on 12 and Head on 9.

yesterday 11.25pm

Each minute counts

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Marnus Labuschagne needed some help from the physio after something flew into his eye.

He had some drops brought out and it seems to have helped as he hit a boundary off his legs in the next over along with a very tidy cut shot for four.

The Proteas are going to shorter spells for their quicks now, which you would expect considering Nortje is unlikely to return this match.

The Aussies face a difficult task to match the risk of playing shots with the reward of making runs and tiring out the bowlers.

AUS 1-24 in their second innings. They are still 302 runs behind.

yesterday 11.09pm

Head takes a painful blow

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Travis Head is hurting after a Jansen ball smashed into his leg or possibly groin.

I couldn’t see exactly where it hit but Head has been limping a bit - he’s certainly hurting.

Both Labuschagne and Head have been swinging and missing as the ball is still moving around for Jansen and Rababa.

The Aussies know they have to bat for time for the rest of the day and try to find a way out of this horror show.

AUS 1-13 in their second innings, they are still 313 runs behind.

yesterday 10.56pm

Australia’s form continues to fluctuate

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yesterday 10.54pm

WICKET: Maddinson is out again

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Rabada got him last night. Now Rabada has got him again.

Maddinson hung out his bat and it found the ball and sent it straight to the keeper.

AUS 1-8 in their second innings

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