Veteran Australian pace bowler Scott Boland delivered a stellar performance in his first Test since January, taking 4-31 against South Africa in Gqeberha, leaving the hosts struggling at 97 for 5 and giving Australia a strong advantage in the series.
Australian paceman Scott Boland continued his impressive form, taking four wickets to leave South Africa struggling at 97/5 at stumps on Day 2 of the second Test. Captain Temba Bavuma remains unbeaten on 41, offering the only resistance against a dominant Australian attack.
Scott Boland struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce South Africa to 20 for two on a rain-hit opening day, giving Australia the early advantage in the second Test.
If Boland gets a chance to play the first Test in Nagpur, he would probably like to walk the talk as he said in episode No. 2 of 'Test'.
South Africa crushed Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha to level the series 1-1, with Bavuma's 179 and Rabada's four wickets proving decisive.
Temba Bavuma's career-best 179 powered South Africa to 425 for nine declared, with record partnerships alongside Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer before Kagiso Rabada struck early against Australia.
Australia's cricket team is facing significant selection challenges and tough decisions regarding their line-up for the series-deciding third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, following a heavy innings defeat in the second match.
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has become the fourth Proteas bowler to claim 200 Test wickets on home soil, joining legends like Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock. His achievement came during a Test match against Australia where South Africa staged a remarkable comeback, enforcing a follow-on after dismissing Australia for 99. Captain Temba Bavuma led a strong batting recovery for the Proteas.
Australia has announced a 13-man squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against Bangladesh, featuring the return of captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon from injury. The series, part of the World Test Championship, sees competition for fast bowling spots with Scott Boland's strong performance, while Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green retain their places despite recent struggles. The squad aims to solidify Australia's top position in the WTC standings.
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has cautioned his team to expect a strong comeback from Australia in the second Test after their surprising nine-wicket victory in the series opener. Simmons emphasised the need for continued high performance, while Australia's captain Pat Cummins acknowledged their poor performance in the first match and confirmed team changes for the upcoming game in Mackay.
South Africa, reeling from a 214-run defeat in the first Test against Australia, is determined to level the series in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha. The hosts are expected to make several team changes, including the return of paceman Kagiso Rabada, as they look to overcome batting fragilities exposed in the previous match. Australia, despite their dominant win, might consider workload management for their fast bowlers amidst forecasts of persistent rain.
Australia were bowled out for 99 in their first innings, trailing South Africa by 326 runs.
Australia's veteran bowling attack, featuring Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, delivered a decisive performance in the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Their combined effort led Australia to a 214-run victory, with Hazlewood taking career-best figures. Captain Cummins lauded the bowlers' rigorous preparation and team-first approach, highlighting their continued effectiveness despite their age.
Josh Hazlewood's return completes Australia's 'Fab Four' bowling attack for the first Test against Bangladesh, marking their first reunion in over a year and setting the stage for a significant home series.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has encouraged all-rounder Cameron Green to adopt an aggressive approach against Bangladesh in the upcoming Test series.
Australia fast bowler Scott Boland believes his team is still well-placed for victory against India with two days left in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Nathan Lyon, Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker, faces increasing pressure on his automatic selection in the Test squad.
The Prime Minister's XI team will be led by uncapped all-rounder Jack Edwards of New South Wales.
Australia has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of South Africa, with top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne retaining his place despite recent poor form.
On Tuesday, Hazlewood bowled just one over before walking out of the field before undergoing scans later to ascertain the severity of the injury.
Scott Boland has got Virat Kohli's wicket four times in the last six innings.
Australia is under pressure to secure a decisive victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay to level the two-match series, following an embarrassing nine-wicket loss in Darwin. The team has made personnel changes, including recalling Matt Renshaw, and is looking for a strong bounce-back performance. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, buoyed by their historic win and a successful shift to a pace-centred bowling attack, is confident of continuing their strong form and potentially sweeping the series.
Boland is ready to step in once again for Josh Hazlewood, continuing the role of the perfect first substitute that has defined his 11-Test career.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, is the other Indian giving Bumrah company in the top-10, having climbed a spot to be joint-ninth.
From his iconic Melbourne centuries to Lord's heroics, revisit Ajinkya Rahane's five greatest Test knocks that shaped his remarkable India career.
Opening batter Jake Weatherald and pace bowler Brendan Doggett will make their Test debuts for Australia in the first Ashes Test against England in Perth on Friday.
Images from Day 1 of the fifth Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
'I was playing country cricket and working as a carpenter, and that was the dream for me.'
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is 'extremely optimistic and well-prepared' for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, believing that runs will flow if he trusts his game, despite a recent drought of Test centuries.
Boland troubled India throughout the game with his incisive bowling, not allowing the famed Indian batting line-up to breathe easy at any point
Mitchell Starc made a late-career bid for all-rounder status when he scored a half-century and grabbed two wickets under the Gabba floodlights to push Australia to the brink of victory at the close of day three of the second Ashes Test.
Rahul along with wicketkeeper batter Dhruv Jurel flew early to Australia, and will appear for India A in the second four-day game at the MCG.
Cummins has been sidelined with a lumbar stress injury since Australia swept West Indies in the Caribbean in July.
Mitchell Starc delivered the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history on Monday as Australia crushed the West Indies by 176 runs in the third Test in Kingston, Jamaica, to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
Expect nothing less than hostility, fire and close contests as Ben Stokes' England come armed with their Bazball philosophy to try and get the better of a depleted Australia.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 1st Ashes Test in Perth on Saturday.
Scott Boland will become the first indigenous Australian Test player since Jason Gillespie played his last match in 2006 when he receives his baggy green cap on Sunday.
The hosts then raced to 199-6 in 31 overs, effectively batting West Indies out of the contest, before declaring their second innings.
Australia finished marginally on top at the end of a chaotic opening day of the fourth Ashes Test after an extraordinary 20 wickets fell in front of a record crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Mitchell Starc is likely to link up with skipper Pat Cummins in Australia's pace attack for the second Test against India.
