Boland's four wickets leave South Africa reeling at 97-5

Scott Boland does not get many chances to bowl for Australia in Test cricket, but he showed again on Monday that he is ready when the call comes.

The 37-year-old fast bowler took four for 31 to leave South Africa tottering at 97 for five after two rain-hit days of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, The Express Tribune reported, citing AFP.

South Africa, the world Test champions, are trying to fight their way back into the three-match series after losing the first Test in Durban by 214 runs.

How the wickets fell

• Day one: Boland took both wickets as South Africa slipped to 20 for two on a rain-ruined first day
• Day two: after rain delayed the start by six hours, he struck in his second over, with debutant Marques Ackerman caught behind by Alex Carey for six off a ball that seamed away
• Starc’s turn: Matthew Breetzke, brought in with Ackerman to strengthen the batting, made only four before giving Carey a third catch off a loose shot against Mitchell Starc
• Late breakthrough: Ryan Rickelton (31) added 52 for the fifth wicket with Temba Bavuma, but fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Matt Renshaw at first slip when Boland returned shortly before the close

Only five runs were added to the overnight 20 for two before Boland’s first strike of the day. His relentless accuracy left the hosts in a precarious position.

Waiting his turn

Boland admitted it is not always possible to play, with Australia’s three world-class fast bowlers, captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, ahead of him. All four seamers are in the top 10 of the world Test bowling rankings.

“I like to play every game I can,” he said.

He got his chance in Gqeberha when Australia chose an all-seam attack. Although he had not played a first-class match since March, or a Test since January, Boland said he stayed sharp by working hard before the tour and in net sessions since the team arrived in South Africa.

“He doesn’t miss his spot”

South African batting coach Ashwell Prince compared Boland to former South Africa opening bowler Vernon Philander.

“He doesn’t miss his spot very often,” Prince said. “His balls are always on or around the top of the stumps so there’s always that uncertainty (for batters).”

But Prince expected South Africa’s bowlers to be just as dangerous. “The ball is moving around and the pitch is a bit soft so there are some divots around. I like to think we have a few bowlers that can present the same challenges,” he said.

Why it matters

Another defeat would hand Australia the series against the world champions. With half their side gone for under 100, South Africa need a big rearguard from Bavuma and the lower order to stay in the match. Read our report on England’s arrival in Pakistan for the ODI tri-series.

This article draws on reporting by The Express Tribune and AFP.