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AUSTRALIA 112/4. SA 423 
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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert
***CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW THINGS UNFOLDED ON DAY 1***
BATSMEN IN : David Warner 65*, Nathan Lyon 12*
BATSMEN OUT : Chris Rogers 5, Alex Doolan 8, Shaun Marsh 0, Michael Clarke 19
18:17 - PICTURE
South Africa's best day of the series by far... (Getty Images)
18:01 - QUOTE
"I've really been impressed by the energy showed by the South Africans. They bounced back really well. They've got four quick wickets. There's a good chance of getting a fifth early tomorrow with (night-watchman) Lyon there. They're in the pound seats," said former Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock.
18:00 - TWEET
Well as SA bowled, it's impossible not to wonder how crucial those missed chances may be. My other worry is that Dale Steyn was seriously down on pace and intensity in his final burst - Patrick Compton
17:55 - Despite all the missed chances at the end there, it was clearly South Africa's day after starting it under pressure.
Some great batting by Duminy and De Villiers set up South Africa's total, and some great bowling from especially Morkel, Philander and Parnell put the hosts in charge.
Morkel was clearly unlucky not to get a wicket as he bowled a few balls right up at 150 km/h!
Let's hope the Proteas take their chances better tomorrow as they're in a good position to go on and push for a victory!
Join us again tomorrow morning at 10:30 for some more live commentary...
17:54 - Lyon survives the final two balls and that's STUMPS ON DAY 2: Australia 112/4, trailing by 311 runs.
CLICK HERE for a full written report on the day's play.
17:53 - ANOTHER MISSED CHANCE
Oh no, Duminy drops Lyon at gully. Yet another chance gone down. What is happening to South Africa's fielding? Two balls left...
17:52 - Parnell to bow the final over of the day.
17:50 - Replays showed that Lyon did get a slight edge down leg side. Should have reviewed it!
17:49 - Steyn appeals for a catch behind. Given not out. De Villiers thinks he caught it.
17:47 - Lyon punishing Steyn, drives him through the covers for four. Maybe Morkel should have stayed on right up to the end? He looked so dangerous, despite not taking a wicket!
17:42 - But Parnell's is back in the atack now.
17:41 - Morkel looking much more dangerous than Steyn - maybe Daryll Cullinan had a point when he spoke earlier this week...
CLICK HERE to read what the former Proteas batsman had to say.
17:38 - 100 up for Australia, coming off 129 balls.
17:36 - Warner beatifully cuts Steyn for four. Steyn a bit off his game today it seems.
17:36 - Dale Steyn is now back on.
17:36 - Four overs left in the day. Australia 94/4 after 21 overs.
17:35 - Another short ball from Morkel which Lyon knows nothing about. It jumps up in thei air but luckily for him it lands in no-man's land.
17:33 - TWEET
Really feel for @mornemorkel65 here. Might have had two or three poles, knowing he could do with a few, but zip so far. Epic hostility - Rob Houwing
17:31 - Umpire Kumar Dharmasena has another look at his light metre. He lets play go on...
17:30 - HALF-CENTURY for Warner, coming off 55 balls, including eight fours.
17:26 - Next ball, he strikes him on his hand. Lyon is happy that the over is up!
17:25 - Morkel welcom Lyon by hitting him flush on the helmet!
17:23 - Another bit of luck from Warner, who gets a bottom edge off Morkel but it drops just short of 'keeper De Villiers.
17:21 - TWEET
This flat track in PE, hey. Killing the game - Antoinette Muller
17:19 - Night-watchman Nathan Lyon comes in next. An opportunity for another wicket before the close of play!
17:18 - Great bowling change from skipper Smith!
17:17 - WICKET! Philander strikes. He gets Clarke for 19, caught at short cover by Dean Elgar. Australia 81/4. Carke seemed to be undone by a lack of pace this time.
17:16 - Philander back on, replacing Parnell.
17:14 - We can't afford to drop Warner. Last week he was dropped three times on his way to scoring a hundred. So unusual for De Villiers to drop catches.
17:14 - And Warner responds by driving Morkel for four off the back foot.
17:13 - MISSED CHANCE
Oh no, AB de Villiers drops Warner off Morkel. A nasty rising delivery from Morkel caught Warner's edge, but De Villiers couldn't take it at shoulder height.
17:12 - 151.3 km/h
The speed of Morkel's latest delivery!
17:10 - The great thing about the Australians is they will always keep coming at you, always staying positive. At 41/3 they kept going for their shots, shown by their current run-rate of 4.75 per over.
17:05 - TWEET
Clarke's only passed 30 twice in his last 16 innings and scored a ton each time... - Antoinette Muller
17:02 - Warner continues to attack. He has 38 off 36 balls, including six fours.
16:55 - Another Morkel delivery in at 148 km/h. The South African bowlers have lifted their intensities remarkbaly compared to the Centurion Test last week.
16:54 - MISSED CHANCE
Opportunity for a run out, but Duminy misses the stumps. Replays show that Clarke was short of his ground...
16:51 - TWEET
So nice to have pace variation in the #proteas attack. Early indications are Parnell is a much improved bowler. #SAvAus - Craig Ray
16:50 - PICTURE
Some serious bouncers from Morkel in that over to Clarke - FOX SPORTS Cricket
16:45 - Clarke responds with two boundaries to bring up Australia's 50 as the drinks break arrives.
16:43 - Wow, Morkel bowls a bouncer to Clarke at 149.4 km/h! The skipper does well to duck under it.
16:40 - What a return to Test cricket by Parnell! His first over in Tests for four years - and TWO WICKETS!
16:39 - Skipper Michael Clarke in early for Australia.
16:38 - PICTURE
Wayne Parnell and Dean Elgar celebrate... (Getty Images)
16:38 - Some great away swing from Parnell. Great catch by De Villiers, diving to his left as well.
Australia in tatters at 41/3.
16:37 - WICKET! Marsh is out for a duck, caught by De Villiers off Parnell's third ball.
16:36 - Shaun Marsh is next in.
16:34 - WICKET! Parnell strikes with his first ball! Het gets Doolan out for 8, caught behind by 'keeper De Villiers. Australia in trouble at 41/2.
16:32 - Wayne Parnell now on.
16:28 - Bowling change: Morné Morkel now on in place of Steyn.
16:25 - Warner has made it clear: Anything slightly full or wide is going to the boundary... He already has five fours.
16:22 - It's starting to get a little dark out there now. Umpires having a look at their light metres.
16:19 - Things get a little heated after Warner hits Philander for a boundary. Philander has something to say, which upsets the Aussie. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena has to step in...
16:15 - 17 runs off the latest Dale Steyn over! Not the way to build early pressure.
16:14 - Doolan gets lucky when he edges Steyn through gully for four.
16:13 - Warner hits back-to-back cover drives off Steyn. Both go for four. Next ball he plays a back-foot punch - gets three.
16:12 - PICTURE
OUT! Replays show it hit in line and was hitting the stumps, so Rogers is gone for 5. Australia 1-7. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket
16:09 - Alex Doolan - in his second Test - is next in. Both teams have now lost a review.
16:07 - No luck for Rogers and he has to go for 5... Australia 7/1.
16:07 - WICKET! Philander gets Rogers lbw. He appeals it....
16:01 - Rogers gets the first boundary as he drives Philander through the covers.
15:57 - Philander to bowl the second over. First up, Rogers edges him but it bounces short of third slip Amla.
15:54 - Just clipping the edge of the stumps, so it stays NOT OUT - umpires call! Rogers survives.
15:53 - Massive lbw appeal from Steyn off his second ball to Rogers. Given not out by umpire Ray Illingworth, but SA review it...
15:52 - Dale Steyn will start to Chris Rogers.
15:50 - Off-spinner Nathan Lyon (5 for 130) was Australia's most successful bowler. Expect JP Duminy and possibly Dean Elgar bowl a lot on this slow surface...
In all, Australia's spinners (Lyon, Smith and Clarke) bowled 61.5 overs, taking 7 for 176!
15:43 - Join us in a few minutes for Australia's innings.
15:42 - PICTURE
Nathan Lyon, 5/130, was Australia's most successful bowler (Getty Images).
15:42 - South Africa all out for 423 in 150.5 overs.
15:41 - WICKET! Morkel is run out for 1 by Smith. Amazing how often he gets run out...
15:36 - The decision stands. Duminy is out for 123. A five-wicket haul for off-spinner Lyon. His fifth five-for in Tests.
15:35 - WICKET! Duminy given out lbw off Lyon but he appeals it. That looks plumb! Poor reverse sweep shot...
15:32 - Lyon - who is targeting a five-for - bowls the second over of the final session.
15:30 - Time to get a move on now. For this match to yield a result, it's important that the Proteas get some overs in to Australia in this session.
15:30 - Clarke continues after tea.
15:29 - Welcome back for the final session.
Dale Steyn joins Duminy at the crease.
15:11 - TEA ON DAY 3
South Africa 413/8.
Join us in about 20 minutes for the day's final session.
15:10 - WICKET! Right on the stroke of tea, Parnell is out for 10, caught behind by Haddin off Lyon. He went for an unnecessary lofty drive there to give Lyon his fourth wicket.
15:02 - Australian physio on now for 'keeper Haddin who has a troublesome finger. But he'll battle on and let it get taken care of at tea.
14:56 - 400 up for South Africa. The first time in 13 Tests that Australia have conceded 400 in a Test.
14:55 - Duminy survives an lbw appeal from Lyon while in the same over Parnell almost plays it to Shaun Marsh at a short mid-off but it bounces just short...
14:52 - PICTURE: Snicko shows why Parnell was given not out.
Not out - FOX SPORTS Cricket
14:45 - NOT OUT! Australia lose the first review they take.
14:45 - Nothing on Snicko, so should stay not out.
14:44 - Warner, who is now into the attack, thinks he's got Parnell caught behind. Given not out, but Australia review it.
14:43 - PICTURE
SA dressing room applauds Duminy's century - FOX SPORTS Cricket
14:42 - A big sigh of relieve from the Capetonian. That was really needed for his career!
14:40 - CENTURY for Duminy! His third in Test cricket and his first on South African soil.
14:33 - That was Clarke's first Test wicket since he dismissed Jacques Kallis at the Adelaide Oval in November 2012.
14:30 - Wayne Parnell is next in.
14:29 - WICKET! Part-time Clarke dives to his left and catches a Philander drive. He is out for 6. SA 378/7.
14:23 - Duminy into the nervous 90s...
14:22 - Slow left-armer Clarke giving himself a go again.
14:20 - TWEET
Would like to see Proteas bat with some purpose rather than go through the motions.. #getonwithit - Herschelle Gibbs
14:18 - At the moment there's a lot of rain predicted for the final day (Monday). Lets hope the forecast changes because it's tough to see one team taking 20 wickets inside four days on this pitch...
14:10 - What score should the Proteas aim for?
I'm thinking 450 to get enought time to bowl at the Aussies later in the day.
Send your thoughts to: news@sport24.co.za
14:01 - Philander off the mark - off his 17th ball.
13:59 - Leg-spinner Steve Smith now back on. He bowls to Philander who is yet to get off the mark after facing 13 balls.
13:53 - Johnson back on for the first time this session.
13:51 - Duminy on fire now as he pulls Lyon to the boundary to move into the 80s...
13:47 - MILESTONE FOR JP DUMINY
Duminy reaches 1000 Test runs, coming in 35 innings.
13:46 - PICTURE
Shane Watson asking Mitchell Johnson why he's not scaring the batsmen in this game... (Getty Images)
13:39 - 350 up for South Africa, coming off 746 balls.
13:37 - Vernon Philander is the new man in.
13:36 - WICKET! De Villiers is out for 116, caught and bowled by Lyon. Great diving catch to his right by the spinner. SA 349/6.
13:34 - TWEET
That's 2000 Test runs for AB de Villiers since the start of 2012 at an average of 71.50 including seven 100s & eight 50s #SAvAus #Cricket - Saj Sadiq
13:31 - Interesting to see wicketkeeper Brad Haddin now standing up to the stumps for fast-bowler Siddle. It indicates the slowness of the pitch...
13:26 - RECORD PARTNERSHIP
This is now the highest sixth wicket partnership at this ground, beating the 131 set by Dean Elgar and Faf Du Plessis in the 2011/12 season.
13:21 - De Villiers smashes it back to Lyon who deflects it onto the stumps, but Duminy was switched on. Not caught short of his ground.
13:14 - Siddle to bow the second over after lunch.
13:11 - De Villiers is taking strike, Lyon bowling.
13:09 - Welcome back for the afternoon session.
Lets hope for more of the same for South Africa. I reckon 450-480 is not that far off now, but then they'll have to try up the run rate a bit in order to get a bowl in later in the day.
A few hefty blows from De Villiers could do the trick.
12:31 - LUNCH ON DAY 2
South Africa 323/5.
An utterly dominating session by the hosts. De Villiers showed great maturity, while Duminy has answered my call by coming to the party at just the right time in his career.
South Africa's best session of the series by far!
Join us again in about 40 minutes for some more commentary...
12:31 - Clarke bowls a maiden over to end the session.
12:29 - Captain Clarke to bowl his slow left-armers in the final over before lunch.
12:20 - TWEET
Stunning session from the PE band there. Absolutely the best atmosphere in this country. And they cheered two milestones! #savaus #cricket - Firdose Moonda
12:17 - PICTURE
Anyone think this man ISN'T the best batsman in the world at the moment? #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS cricket
12:14 - Clarke throwing the ball to Johnson again...
12:13 - Also De Villiers's fifth hundred against Australia, joining Eddie Barlow, Graeme Pollock and Jacques Kallis as the only South Africans to have done so.
12:10 - CENTURY for De Villiers! It comes off 201 balls. His 19th Test century.
Easily the best batsman on the planet!
12:09 - PICTURE
FIFTY for JP Duminy, and doesn't he look thrilled about it. #SAvAUS - FOX SPORTS Cricket
12:04 - HALF-CENTURY for Duminy, off 108 balls. His sixth in Test cricket. Coming in the nick of time!
11:56 - 300 up for South African and the 100 PARTNERSHIP between De Villiers and Duminy, coming off 189 balls. The second 100 partnership between these two.
11:54 - De Villiers has been dismissed in the 90s eight times in Tests - twice in the last four months (Abu Dhabi & Centurion).
11:51 - De Villiers into the 90s now... and Duminy into the 40s.
11:45 - PICTURE: The band is only arriving now. They must have had a late night..
The band has arrived - CA Digital Media
11:43 - A big lbw appeal by Harris on De Villiers. Big inside edge. Correctly given not out.
11:41 - De Villiers cuts Harris in front of point for four to move to 86... Closing in on his 19th Test century.
11:36 - PICTURE
Not a bad spot #SAvAUS - CA Digital Media
11:28 - TWEET
How those backs feeling Australia? max overs they bowled in an inns vs Eng was 103. there are 100 up with SA 263-5 #batlongboys #SAvAUS - Gary Lemke
11:27 - Siddle steams in after drinks... Hard toil for him. 0/74 in 27 overs.
11:22 - FIRST DRINKS BREAK
SA 263/5 after 100 overs. Run-rate: 2.63 per over.
11:22 - FANS SHARE THEIR VIEWS
Sport24 fan Norma writes: Hi! First I must tell you how much I enjoy the commentary. I hear you are wondering at the small attendance figures. I think you might find there is a lot of resentment now that South Africa is not considered in the top teams, and is now unworthy of making decisions. I know many people who refuse to support a match with Australia, England or India playing. Many thanks for hours of pleasure.
Sport24 fan Ndimphiwe Luhabe writes: The Proteas are destined to lose this series... They just don't look like they are the No1 ranked side. I would like to ask, why wasn't Thami Tsolekile given the nod to keep wicket and let AB focus on his batting?
Have something to say? E-mail us: news@sport24.co.za
11:19 - DID YOU KNOW?
The Proteas have successfully negotiated 17 overs from Mitchell Johnson since his last wicket!
11:16 - DE VILLIERS SHOWING MATURITY
I've been impressed by the patience shown by De Villiers in this game. He knows his country needs him to score big.
So often you'd see him play flashy innings at a quick pace, but his 64 runs have come off 164 balls. Brilliantly playing according to the situation of the game. In days gone by a youthful De Villiers may have done otherwise...
11:15 - PICTURE
Good analysis by @7polly7 at the touchscreen this morning explaining how all techniques are different. #SSTouchscreen - Mike Haysman
11:12 - Some spin for the first time today as Nathan Lyon is brought on.
11:10 - A splendid cover drive by Duminy off Siddle brings up South Africa's 250 and also the 50 PARTNERSHIP between him and De Villiers.
11:01 - WORRYING STAT FOR AMLA
H Amla 7 Test innings without a score of 50+. That's his longest run without a half century in Tests since May 06-Dec 06 (9 innings) - Saj Sadiq
10:57 - TWEET
JP Duminy playing Johnson very well this morning. #savaus #cricket - Firdose Moonda
10:54 - Johnson now back into the attack...
10:54 - 26 runs off the first 10 overs this morning, and crucially for South Africa - NO WICKETS lost!
10:50 - Siddle keeping things tight this morning, much more so that Johnson did...
10:43 - De Villiers drives Siddle for four but then nearly loses his wicket next ball when he nearly plays it straight back to the bowler. Luckily it bounced just short of Siddle's grasp.
10:42 - QUOTE
"Johnson was ineffective this morning. Duminy played him with aplomb," says Peter Kirsten.
10:41 - Siddle now on for Johnson.
10:41 - First half hour has successfully been negotiated by South African. Good early signs!
10:33 - QUOTE
"Good start by South Africa. The Aussies seem a little flat," Radio2000 commentator Peter Kirsten.
"Duminy playing beautifully. I can't understand why they sent him in after Quinton de Kock."
10:25 - Duminy proves that by flicking Johnson for back-to-back fours off his legs...Next he pulls him for another four.
10:23 - Radio2000 commentator Colin Bryden says this slower PE pitch has made Johnson look "almost human" again.
10:23 - First few overs well negotiated by South Africa...
10:18 - Johnson's average speed in this game in 143.3 km/h. He is yet to reach the 150 km/h mark, with his fastest ball at 149.7 km/h... #slowerpitch
10:15 - Mitchell Johnson to start the day's second over.
10:14 - Next ball Duminy drive beautifully to the boundary...
10:13 - Duminy on the drive but some seam movement sees the ball beat his outside edge...
10:12 - Big moment in "Koppe's" career. He must perform here today! Out to improve that 31.82 average...
10:09 - Ryan Harris to start proceedings with the new ball. JP Duminy on strike.
10:07 - QUOTE
"Bowling on this pitch is a game of patience. Australia built pressure on both ends very well yesterday" - former Australian all-rounder-turned-commentator Tom Moody.
9:54 - CONDITIONS
The westerly is still blowing and it's still overcast.
However, an easterly wind is expected to come in later today which will assist the bowlers more...
While there's still some grass cover on the pitch, Kepler Wessels says it's still a decent batting strip.
9:53 - PICTURE
Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris warming up - CA Digital Media
9:44 - It will no doubt be a big morning for South Africa as the Aussies are set to utilise the new ball. The first half hour will be vital against especially Mitchell Johnson. It can mean the difference between making 350 plus or getting bowled out for 250...
9:41 - Welcome back to coverage of Day 2 of the second Test!
Play will start 19 minutes earlier (10:11) due to the overs we missed for bad light yesterday.
17:33 - SUMMARY
Former Proteas players Kepler Wessels and Shaun Pollock agree that the day's honours must go to Australia after South Africa lost two wickets shortly before play was halted. The fact that the second new ball will be taken first thing tomorrow will make things tough for the hosts.
The current partnership between De Villiers and Duminy will be vitally important.
Join us again tomorrow morning for some more INTERACTIVE COMMENTARY!
17:31 - STUMPS ON DAY 1
Play has officially been called off with South Africa on 214/5 after 83 overs.
Play will start a little earlier tomorrow with 95 overs to be bowled on Day 2 as they try to make up for the lost time.
17:31 - PICTURE
AB
de Villiers - the first player in the history of Test cricket to hit at
least a 50 in 12 consecutive Test matches. (Gallo Images)
17:15 - FAN VIEWS
Sport24 fan Cedric Frolic writes: Robin Petersen should have been an automatic selection to play as a frontline spinner. He learnt his trade on the St George's wicket and his batting would've been an added benefit. You don't go and play at St George's without a frontline spinner.
Sport 24 fan Meshan Naidoo writes: Smith
should rather bowl spin, maybe he will do something good for the team
and take a wicket, because he certainly isn’t doing anything good with
the bat.
17:14 - EXPECT SPINNERS TO BOWL A LOT
Australia's spinners (Lyon and Smith) have bowled 27 overs between them, taking three wickets for 65.
This slower pitch offers more to the spinners which means JP Duminy and perhaps Dean Elgar may bowl a lot later in the game.
Should the Proteas have gone for a frontline spinner perhaps?
Share your views by e-mailing us: mysport@sport24.co.za
TOUR ITINERARY
A reminder of the Proteas' tour itinerary against Australia
Tests
February 12-16, First Test, Centurion - Australia won by 281 runs
February 20-24, Second Test, St George's Park - 10:30
March 1-5, Third Test, Cape Town - 10:30
Twenty20
March 9, First T20, St George's Park - 14:30
March 12, Second T20, Kingsmead - 18:00
March 14, Third T20, Centurion - 18:00
TEAMS
South Africa:
Graeme Smith, Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du
Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Wayne Parnell,
Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel
Australia:
David Warner, Chris Rogers, Alex Doolan, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon
UMPIRES
Umpires
- Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Ray Illingworth (England)
TV umpire
- Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Match referee
- Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)
Reserve umpire
- Adrian Holdstock (South Africa)
Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on Day 2 of the second Test between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.
