SOUTH AFRICA v AUSTRALIA - Second Test

St George's Park, Port Elizabeth

SAF: Richards, *Goddard, Mitchell, RG Pollock, AD Nourse, +Waite, Procter, PM Pollock, Tayfield, Donald, Adcock.

AUS: Woodfull, Taylor, *Bradman, GS Chappell, Border, Miller, +Marsh, Benaud, Davidson, Lillee, Johnston.

After their victory in Cape Town, it was no surprise that South Africa went with the same XI for the second Test, but Australia made two changes, with the fit-again pace duo of Lillee and Davidson replacing counterparts Thomson and McDermott. There was therefore still no place for ATG cricket's leading wicket taker, Bill O'Reilly, and as the events of the first day unfolded, one would not have been surprised to have seen a wry smile developing on Tiger's face.

Australia's attack was put to the sword on a hot and humid opening day in Port Elizabeth, with Graeme Pollock once again totally dominating proceedings out in the middle. It was a good toss to win for Goddard, although once play eventually got under way after a half hour's delay due to a damp run up, the early losses of Richards and Mitchell threatened to stymie South Africa's progress.

Enter Pollock though, and for the remainder of the day it was a Springbok run-fest as Bradman's attack were flayed all around St George's Park. By tea the score had moved on to 164-2, and a remarkable 203 runs were added in 43 overs during an extended evening session as the tourists' bowlers wilted alarmingly. Both Goddard and Pollock recorded centuries in a 225 run stand for the third wicket, and although Marsh gave lives to both batsmen - Goddard was put down in front of first slip off Lillee when on 10 and Pollock could have been stumped off Benaud on 60 - the batting was of the highest order.

Goddard eventually fell lbw to Chappell for 121 with Nourse following soon after, but Waite added 78 with Pollock before the close, taking the score to 367-4 to complete South Africa's dominance of the day, and with Pollock still there on 179*, Australia looked like facing a mammoth first innings score from the Springboks.

The nature of events on day two in P.E. could not have been in more stark contrast to those of day one though, as thirteen wickets fell for just 175 runs in an incredible day's cricket. In conditions less sapping than the previous day, Australia's left-arm duo of Davidson and Johnston ran riot, plucking out the last six South African wickets for only 36 runs to finish off the innings for 437. Pollock had advanced to 195 (410 mins, 290 balls, 21x4) before being brilliantly caught at first slip by Taylor off Johnston, and then Davidson took over, finishing with figures of 6-100 on his return to the side.

Woodfull and Taylor couldn't capitalise on the unexpected momentum granted their team by Davidson's burst though, and both were gone with just five runs on the board, victims of devastating yorkers from Donald and Procter respectively. The innings never recovered, and by the close Australia had slumped to a woeful 105-7, as South Africa's seam attack tightened their grip. Bradman again fell victim to a poor umpiring decison, given out caught behind for 31 when the ball appeared to brush sleeve, not bat, and Miller (3) was run out in the most unfortunate of circumstances, Procter deflecting a drive from Border onto the non-striker's stumps in his follow through, but other than that South Africa thoroughly deserved the success that came their way.

Australia now have it all to do to save this Test, and one wonders if their crown may finally be slipping after so long at the top of the tree.

Close of Play, Day 2
SAF 1st Inns 437 (RG Pollock 195, Goddard 121, Waite 48; Davidson 6-100)
AUS 1st Inns 105-7 (Bradman 31, Border 31)