South Africa seek to restore Test credentials after Australia defeat

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 08:20 · Archive

South Africa aim to level their Test series against Australia in the second match, starting Sunday in Gqeberha, after a 214-run defeat.

South Africa face Australia in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha after losing the opening match by 214 runs. The defeat in Durban on Tuesday has prompted concerns about South Africa's status as world Test champions, which they secured last year with a five-wicket victory over Australia at Lord's.

South Africa have made changes to their squad for Gqeberha. Matthew Breetzke, who last played first-class cricket in February but scored a century in a recent One Day International against Australia, has been recalled to open the batting alongside Aiden Markram. Ryan Rickelton will take over as wicketkeeper from Kyle Verreynne, who has not scored a Test fifty in his last thirteen innings. Tristan Stubbs, who batted at number five in the first Test, has been omitted.

Coach Shukri Conrad acknowledged that South Africa's batting performances have been a concern. He said there was no need for knee-jerk reactions but that his team simply needed to 'get bloody better' this week. Conrad highlighted Breetzke's recent ODI form and his character as reasons for his recall, while noting that decisions about the batting order, including whether Rickelton will open or bat lower, would depend on conditions.

How it is being reported

• South Africa v Australia: second men’s cricket Test, day one – liveUpdates as the Proteas host Australia at St George’s Park Play start time in Gqeberha is 10am local/7pm AEDT/9am BST Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email Hello, cricket pals. Get ready for something spicy. And wet. Spicy and wet. The tom kha soup of cricket. It’s coming to your table very shortly, direct from Gqeberha, which you may know historically as Port Elizabeth. Here’s the deal. Australia in South Africa, tough away trip but they’ve got a record doing it, very competitive and tense history between the teams, not to mention some… uh… stuff that happened last time that was spoken…The Guardian · 18 Oct, 08:28
• Live: Australia, South Africa set for second Test in drizzly GqeberhaAustralia looks to build on its spectacular first Test victory over South Africa when the series moves to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. Follow all the day one action live.ABC News Australia · 18 Oct, 08:09
• South Africa bat first in second Test against Australia - scorecardLatest scorecard from the second Test between South Africa and Australia in Gqeberha.BBC Sport · 18 Oct, 01:00
• South Africa look to re-establish Test credentials after Australia maulingSouth Africa will seek to show their heady ascent to the top of the Test cricket pile was no accident as they bid to level the series against Australia in the second Test, starting on Sunday in Gqeberha.Sky Sports · 17 Oct, 10:12

In this story: South Africa · Australia · Gqeberha · Shukri Conrad · Aiden Markram · Matthew Breetzke · Ryan Rickelton

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