Sports · Cricket · 55 mins ago
Australia lose to South Africa by an innings as changes loom
South Africa beat Australia by an innings in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Australia’s batting struggled, despite Travis Head scoring 121 and nightwatchman Scott Boland making 40.
Head and Boland resisted but could not save the match as South Africa took the remaining wickets.
Australia had earlier put South Africa under pressure by reducing the hosts to 6-110, but could not build on that position.
Pat Cummins called Australia uncompetitive and said the team had not been near its best.
Selectors will consider changes, with Nic Maddinson, Beau Webster and Marnus Labuschagne under scrutiny.
Australia will face South Africa in the deciding Test in Cape Town, where Cameron Green and Josh Inglis may be available.
Australia lost the second Test to South Africa by an innings at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Travis Head scored 121, his 13th Test century, while trying to save the match.
Scott Boland made 40 and faced 166 deliveries in a defiant innings.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins said the team was “nowhere near our best” and indicated selectors would consider changes for the deciding Test.
South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada helped end Australia’s resistance.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa. Travis Head scored a century for Australia.
- What
- Australia lost the second Test by an innings. Head made 121 in Australia’s unsuccessful effort to save the match.
- When
- The final day of the second Test. The articles do not give a consistent calendar date.
- Where
- St George’s Park in Gqeberha, South Africa.
- Why
- Australia’s batting was widely criticised, while South Africa’s bowling helped dismiss the team.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Australia had South Africa at 6-110.
Australia lost 13 wickets in a day, according to Cummins.
Travis Head reached his century with two boundaries against Marco Jansen.
Head was out for 121 with Australia at 5-209.
Wiaan Mulder bowled Scott Boland, who made 40 from 166 deliveries.
- Head’s score
- 121
- Head’s Test centuries
- 13
- Boland’s score
- 40 from 166 deliveries
- Venue
- St George’s Park, Gqeberha
- Result
- South Africa won by an innings
8 sources
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What people are saying
Disappointment for sure. I think we were nowhere near our best, across the board really.
We want to compete.
He knows it is not about the 100. It is about whether he can stay out there for long enough to save the Test for Australia.
Posts on X
4 tons in his first 9 Tests as official all-condition Test opener is up there with the best for Travis Head
Test centuries as opener for Australia since Cummins took over as captain: Usman Khawaja 6 Travis Head 4 David Warner 2 11 other players tried: 0