Boland takes two wickets as rain restricts second South Africa Test

Scott Boland dismissed Aiden Markram and David Bedingham with consecutive deliveries as Australia made early inroads on a rain-shortened opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Only 12.2 overs were possible, according to The Guardian's match report by Geoff Lemon, with a delayed start and further interruptions limiting the time available to both teams.

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Boland's double strike reduced South Africa to 20 for two during the brief passage of play. Markram was bowled after an inside edge redirected the ball into his middle stump, while Bedingham edged the next delivery to the wicketkeeper. The dismissals removed two batters who had built threatening partnerships in both innings of the previous Test, giving Australia a breakthrough despite the disruption to the day's schedule.

The opening spell had produced no wickets. Mitchell Starc struggled with his footing in the damp landing area and bowled largely wide of the wicket. Josh Hazlewood beat debutant opener Marques Ackerman's outside edge several times, but South Africa negotiated the first six overs before another rain interruption brought an early lunch. Play resumed briefly before the weather ultimately prevented any extended contest.

Boland entered the attack in place of Starc after Hazlewood completed three more deliveries following the break. He was used ahead of Pat Cummins and first bowled an over to Ackerman without taking a wicket. His subsequent burst changed the innings: Markram's attempt to drive was followed immediately by Bedingham's edge, leaving South Africa with two key batters dismissed in successive balls.

Australia's selection had made room for all four of their leading fast bowlers, with Nathan Lyon omitted. The Guardian reported that this was the third time in eight matches for which Lyon had been fit that the specialist spinner had not been selected. The decision put Boland alongside Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins for a match whose opening day was heavily curtailed by wet conditions.

The wickets also added to Boland's strong Test record. The report put his tally at 84 wickets across 20 appearances, at an average of 18.2 and a strike rate of 38.2 balls per wicket. Australia still faced the task of building on those breakthroughs over the remaining four scheduled days, after rain left most of the opening day's play uncompleted.