Carey and Inglis counterpunch to put Australia on top in South Africa
Wicketkeeper-batters Alex Carey and Josh Inglis rebuild the innings with resilient half-centuries, pushing Australia to 330-4 at the close in Cape Town.
If Cape Town's first day was a rollercoaster, the second was some more sedate form of transport, though it continued with ups and downs fitting its mountainous backdrop. Twice, South Africa produced double strikes to stall promising Australian positions; twice the Australians rebuilt. Finally, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey pushed Australia in front, reaching 330 for four to South Africa's all out 329, ready to surge on through day three with those six wickets left in hand.
While Travis Head was there, Australia's first session threatened to match South Africa's the day before, when Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman had piled on 140 against a bewildered attack. Head threw his hands at width, mixing luck with skill for seven boundaries, contributing 41 out of 58 before falling to an awkward cut against Simon Harmer's off-spin. His new opening partner Matthew Renshaw showed contrasting temperament, leaving and defending the new ball with clarity.
Harmer struck again in the same over, teasing Marnus Labuschagne into a catch at slip for a duck. Labuschagne showed uncharacteristic hesitation with his feet, poking uselessly at a delivery that would have carried past the stumps. Cameron Green arrived for a rebuild, adding 85 runs during a stand that included an explosive over where Green hooked a bouncer barrage from Kagiso Rabada for consecutive six, six, and four.
Marco Jansen finally broke the partnership by removing Renshaw for 65 after a review confirmed a top edge, and Harmer soon accounted for Green for 74 just before tea. Australia were left trailing at 185 for four, needing a substantial rescue mission. It came from Inglis and Carey, both wicketkeeper-batters who adopted contrasting yet effective approaches.
While Carey anchored with defensive solidity interspersed with creative scoring, Inglis unleashed a traditional counterpunching style. As Inglis passed fifty, he opened up the strokeplay, hitting a six off both Harmer and Rabada while collecting consecutive fours against Gerald Coetzee. By stumps, their unbroken partnership reached 145, with Carey unbeaten on 51 and Inglis on 85, placing Australia in front heading into day three.