Aussies Suffer Crushing Test Defeat Despite Head Ton and Boland Vigil

Travis Head’s century and Scott Boland’s more than three hour vigil were not enough to save Australia from a crushing, innings and 31-run defeat in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. The visitors began the final day 4/156 and fought valiantly to eventually be bowled out for 295, but they only delayed the inevitable as Kagiso Rabada led the hosts to victory with four wickets.

Australia dared to dream that they might be saved by rain or bad light, as play started two hours and 15 minutes late because of morning showers. Late in the day, as the lights came on and the grounds staff readied the covers, the visitors again hoped for salvation by the elements. But seamers Wiaan Mulder and Rabada ensured that the Proteas levelled the series despite 145 overs being lost to bad weather over the course of the match.

Australian captain Pat Cummins noted after the match that there was some good fight shown by Boland and Head, but admitted the team was a long way away from their best. It was a stunning turnaround from South Africa being 6/110 in their first innings, with Temba Bavuma’s 179 and Marco Jansen’s all-round performance setting up a mouth-watering decider in Cape Town.

With four wickets remaining at tea and 43 overs left, Mulder put South Africa on the final charge by removing Boland for a resilient 40 from 166 balls in 187 minutes. South African great Shaun Pollock remarked that the nightwatchman deserved to take a bow and be celebrated for his bravery and courage.

Following Boland's dismissal, the remaining wickets fell as Mulder removed Pat Cummins and Rabada splattered Mitchell Starc’s stumps. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey clung on until Josh Hazlewood was caught at slip off Jansen for a duck, sealing an unwanted piece of history as Australia lost 19 wickets across days four and five.

Earlier in the day, Travis Head reached his second overseas century, driving Rabada to the fence to bring up the milestone. Meanwhile, Steve Smith endured an uncomfortable 20-ball innings following a neck issue, eventually falling to a miscued pull shot off Rabada caught by Matthew Breetzke.