Prospects of any play before the afternoon are looking bleak on the second day of the second test between the Proteas and Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Monday.
Day one was heavily affected by rain, with the Proteas reaching the close of play on 20/2 after being put into bat first. They lost Aiden Markram (11) and David Bedingham for a first ball duck off successive Scott Boland deliveries in the ninth over, while just 12.2 overs were possible over the entire day.
More of the same is on the cards for day two, with rain having already delayed the start of play, and although there is a field inspection scheduled for 11:15am, it is unlikely that there will be play soon with the pitch still covered and drizzle coming down.
Weather forecasts suggest that the rain could dry up in the early afternoon, which means the teams could get some decent play in if the conditions clear and they’re able to play until the 6pm close.
Over the next three days partly cloudy conditions are expected, so a result can still be forced if the weather plays ball and the teams give it a good go.
The Proteas will be desperate to force a result to keep alive their chances of winning the three-match test series after losing the opener in Durban, while Australia don’t have to take any risks considering they are 1-0 up in the series.
PROTEAS: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood
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