SA vs AUS, 2nd Test: Scott Boland rocks South Africa on rain-hit Day 1
New Delhi: Australia have dominated the rain-hit opening day of the against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, October 18. Scott Boland replaced Nathan Lyon in Australia’s playing XI and picked up two crucial wickets, leaving the hosts at 20/2 in 12.2 overs on a stop-start first day.
Boland dismissed and David Bedingham off consecutive deliveries to give Australia a big advantage in a clash that barely got going. He found movement from the pitch to bowl Markram through the gate before drawing an edge from Bedingham, who tried to push at a delivery outside off stump. The pacer came close to taking a hat-trick when captain Temba Bavuma inside-edged the ball onto his pads, drawing loud appeals from the slip fielders.
Boland shines on rain-hit day
Rain interruptions dictated the day’s proceedings from the start. The toss took place on time, but weather delayed the start by 90 minutes. The match eventually started with the visitors opting to bowl first, but just 5.3 overs were possible before rain came down pouring again, which forced an early lunch.
When the match again began, debutant Marques Ackerman struggled against the Australian pace bowlers. He opened the batting for the first time despite never having done so in first-class cricket. Ackerman opened the scoring after 14 deliveries but was eventually removed by Boland for just 5 off 32.
Boland just sent the middle stump packing! 🎯💥
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#SAvAUS #ScottBoland #AidenMarkram #TestCricket #Cricket https://t.co/EFWmiqOWmm
— FanCode (@FanCode) October 18, 2026
Markram looked comfortable at the other end and hit a couple of well-timed drives against Mitchell Starc, who struggled to find early movement. Boland took some time to find his rhythm, but after the first rain break the pacer threatened to run through South Africa’s top and middle order.
Rain returned in the afternoon and continued beyond the scheduled Tea break, forcing the umpires to call stumps. South Africa will resume on 20/2, with Temba Bavuma and Aiden Ackermann at the crease. The forecast for Day 2 is also not encouraging, with further rain expected to disrupt play.