Cricket

Play to resume after lengthy delays in South Africa

By Scott Bailey

Oct 20, 2026

Groundsmen. — Rain was again holding up play on day two of the second Test between Australia and South Africa. -AP

Australia will be without an ill Josh Hazlewood once play finally resumes on day two of the second Test with South Africa 2-20.

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Play will resume at 3:45pm (12:45am AEDT) at St George's Park, after rain and a wet outfield prompted the first two sessions to be washed out.

Hazlewood, however, will not take to the field while feeling unwell, with Australia hopeful he will be able to return on day three.

Persistent rain had continued across the night in Gqeberha after only 12.2 overs were possible on Sunday, and once it cleared at 10:30am a wet outfield remained.

After hours of being dried by the Gqeberha wind and numerous inspections, play was cleared to with 30.4 overs to be bowled.

Both teams had remained at their hotel until mid-afternoon, with legitimate concerns play may not be possible on day two.

It comes after Scott Boland had struck twice in two balls on Sunday to justify his selection ahead of Nathan Lyon on Sunday, as Australia went with four quicks and no frontline spinner.

The Victorian first bowled Aiden Markram with a ball that nipped back and drew the inside edge, knocking out the opener's middle stump.

His next delivery pitched in about the same spot and seamed away to have David Bedingham caught behind.

A win at St George's Park would wrap up the three-Test series for Australia after the 214-run victory in Durban last week, and make them the first visiting team to triumph in South Africa since England in 2019-20.