Australia choose to bowl as rain delays Rabada’s return for South Africa

Drizzle interrupts second Test after Australia elect to field

Australia won the toss and chose to bowl in the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, but the opening day was delayed by drizzle. Rain returned after a brief pause, with covers back on the pitch and conditions threatening a stop-start day.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said cloud cover and conditions favouring seam bowling influenced the decision to leave out Nathan Lyon and bring in Scott Boland. Cummins described Boland as “a genuine wicket-taker” who can make the ball move when the pitch offers assistance.

Rabada returns; Ackerman makes Test debut

South Africa made several changes, including the return of Kagiso Rabada and Matthew Breetzke. Marques Ackerman was named for his Test debut and is set to open alongside Aiden Markram. The hosts selected Simon Harmer as their only specialist spinner, with captain Temba Bavuma saying they did not expect the conditions to offer much help to spin.

South Africa’s XI is Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Australia’s XI is Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.

Australia entered the match 1-0 ahead in the series. Cummins said his side wanted to build on its previous win, while Bavuma stressed the importance of the Test as South Africa seek to keep the series alive.