Marco Jansen took 4 for 15 in a devastating morning spell to leave Australia reeling at 69 for 6 at lunch on day four of the second Test, trailing South Africa by 356 runs in their first innings.
GQEBERHA, South Africa — A devastating morning spell from fast bowler Marco Jansen ripped through Australia’s batting lineup, leaving the tourists reeling at 69 for 6 at lunch on day four of the second Test.
Jansen took 4 for 15 in just six overs to spearhead a Proteas assault that yielded five wickets in the morning session. Australia now trails South Africa by 356 runs in the first innings and faces an uphill battle to reach the 226-run mark required to avoid the follow-on.
Resuming at 3 for 1 following South Africa’s declared first-innings total of 425 for 9 — anchored by Temba Bavuma’s career-best 179 — Australia suffered an immediate collapse:
- Early breakthroughs: Nightwatchman Scott Boland fell caught behind off Jansen on just the seventh delivery of the day.
- Middle-order blows: Jansen struck again by trapping Travis Head lbw for 14 on review, followed by Simon Harmer pulling off a sharp gully catch to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne for 14, reducing the visitors to 45 for 4.
- Injury setback for Proteas: Fast bowler Anrich Nortje (1 for 5) bowled just 2.3 overs before walking off with a match-ending lower-body injury.
- Double strike before lunch: After Matt Renshaw and Steve Smith mounted a brief period of resistance, Jansen returned to dismiss Renshaw at third slip and then had Alex Carey caught behind for a duck two balls later.
Smith will resume after the lunch interval unbeaten on 26 alongside Beau Webster, with Australia’s hopes resting heavily on the remaining lower order to stave off a follow-on.
