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Australia’s day-four nightmare has come back to haunt them in the second Test, after falling to an innings-and-31-run defeat to South Africa in the final session.
After Travis Head’s century and Scott Boland’s defence initially repelled the Proteas, Australia lost their last wicket with 28.5 overs to play on the final day on Thursday.
It means the series will head to the third and final Test in Cape Town next Tuesday with the series level at 1-1.
Aided by rain that washed out the morning session, Australia did well to hold on for as long as they did on Thursday with Boland soaking up 166 balls as nightwatchman.
But after Head (117) and Steve Smith fell before tea, Boland was bowled shortly after the break to open the door for the Proteas at St George’s Park.
And when Kagiso Rabada (4-77) bowled a hard-swinging Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood edged Marco Jansen to slip, the game was over.
Ultimately, Australia have been left to lick their wounds in a match they should never have been in a position to lose.
Pat Cummins’ men had South Africa 6-110 early on the third morning, after Boland’s five-wicket haul ripped through the Proteas on a wet opening two days.
But they allowed Temba Bavuma to lead a South African recovery to 9-425 declared.
And when Australia recorded their lowest first-innings score in almost 10 years on Thursday and were bowled out for 99, they were fighting to save the match.
This Test will go down as one of the Proteas’ great wins given the position they were in, with Bavuma and Marco Jansen the heroes.
For Australia, though, there will be recriminations.
Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster are all under pressure to keep their spots , particularly with Cameron Green and Josh Inglis fit again.
Boland and Head briefly looked likely to save their blushes on Thursday, with their 59-run fifth-wicket stand surviving through the first 80 minutes.
But when Head played a Wiaan Mulder delivery that seamed back in at him onto his own stumps, South Africa could sniff victory again.
Smith then inexplicably attempted to pull Rabada (3-73) seven overs later against the new ball, skying him to Matthew Breetzke at mid-wicket.
That shot was one of several questionable ones for Australia over the past two days, with Labuschagne’s into gusty winds on the fourth evening with his side 1-100 equally poor.
Starc was also dismissed swinging hard at a Rabada delivery late as threatening clouds began rolling in, before Hazlewood guided Jansen straight to slip and left Alex Carey (37no) with no more support.
The pair appeared frustrated by their shots, but it is the batters that must accept the blame for Australia’s crushing defeat.
Hazlewood edges Jansen limply to second slip and the series is squared.
That’s Australia’s first innings defeat to South Africa since 2016 in Hobart.
It’s also their biggest defeat in South Africa since the end of Apartheid.
Rabada comes back on and Starc is bowled taking a big swing at a full ball.
Drinks have been taken. Getting quite dark at St George’s Park and lights are on.
Cummins plays down the wrong line to Mulder and is clean bowled.
No wickets in the game and two low scores make this a game to forget for Cummins.
The game has just ticked over to its 271st over, so take out the rain and it has occupied just over three days of scheduled playing time.
Boland’s dogged rearguard ends when he is bowled by Mulder.
Boland’s 40 occupied 166 balls, the second most faced by an Australian in this match after Head.
Captain Cummins to the crease to join Carey.
This will really come down to whether Boland and Carey can keep their poise and concentration for this marathon final session.
So far, they are doing well but they will face many more testing moments from here and they will both know that only one slip up could end their respective innings.
AUS 6-255 with Boland on 40 and Carey on 13.
The players are back on the park to start this last session of the day which will go for almost three hours.
It feels to me that Boland and Carey will have to bat the bulk of this session if Australia wants to save this match.
It would be a Herculean effort if they do.
AUS 6-254 with 72 runs still to make.
Australia have made it to tea. A long session is scheduled to end this game, and a key figure is 73, South Africa’s lead.
If the tourists can wipe that out, it will buy them the time the Proteas would need to bat again.
Harmer ripped some spinners past Carey in that last over but he survived and the teams are going in for the tea break.
The Aussies have one very long, extended final session to come.
Boland is up to 40 from 150 balls. He has put the highest of prices on his wicket.
The Proteas are using their bowlers in short spells with Harmer called back into the attack, just seven overs after the new ball was introduced.
Boland has moved up to 38 from 139 balls while Carey is on five.
AUS 6-244 and they trail by 82 balls.
