The second Test of the three-match series between Australia and South Africa began at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, October 18. However, only 12.2 overs of play could be played on the first day due to rain.
Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, chose to field, and the visitors took advantage of the favourable circumstances to reduce the Proteas to 20 for 2. The Baggy Greens took both wickets with fast bowler Scott Boland, who replaced spinner Nathan Lyon in the playing XI.
South Africa also changed their starting lineup three times after losing the first game of the series by 214 runs in Durban last week. In addition to adding Matthew Breetzke and Kagiso Rabada to the playing XI, they gave 30-year-old Marques Ackerman his Test debut.
Proteas Achieve 102-Year First
With the addition of Ackerman and Rabada, South Africa now has eight players in the starting lineup who are over 30. For the first time in 102 years, eight of South Africa’s players are over 30. They have not played a red-ball game with eight players older than thirty since 1924.
All of the players in the Aussies’ starting lineup are over thirty years old. Matt Renshaw, 30, is the youngest member of Australia’s starting lineup for the second Test match against South Africa, while Boland and Steve Smith, both 37, are the oldest.
Spinner Simon Harmer, 37, is the oldest member of South Africa’s playing XI for the second Test, while fast-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen, 26, is the youngest.
The second -Australia Test is being held at St George’s Park with 19 players who are over 30. 20 players who were 30 years of age or older had only ever participated in a Test match once, in 1926, when Australia and England played in Nottingham.