Mulder provides temporary relief - South Africa came into Day 2 expecting to make light work of the Aussie lower order and they had the overhead conditions aiding them as well. However, a wicket was hard to come by until Temba Bavuma shook things up and Wiaan Mulder struck twice - once with the old ball and then with the second new ball. Amidst all this, Matt Renshaw kept on mustering up vital runs and although the Proteas managed to find the outside edge of his blade on more than a few occasions, no clear-cut opportunity was created. The key for South Africa will now be ensuring that they clean up the tail as soon as possible post Lunch, because if they don't, then it will take a toll on their pacers and Australia will start to grow in the contest. It should be an interesting second session on Day 2, so stay tuned. The post-Lunch session is scheduled to begin at 10.25 am GMT.
Renshaw frustrates the Proteas - As if the stand between Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins late on Day 1 wasn't frustrating enough, South Africa haven't yet managed to dismiss Renshaw, and he's piled on 102 unbeaten runs to add to the hosts' misery. It has been a sensational knock, especially from a man who's trying to become a mainstay of the Australian Test side. Overall, Australia have managed to add 90 runs in the session, taking them from a wobbly 187/6 to now a fairly solid 277/8. Nathan Lyon is no mug with the bat either, and he's already shown that he's in it for the long grind. Australia's next target will be to surpass 300 runs and put that psychological seed of doubt in the minds of the South African players.
LUNCH, DAY 2 - 9.47 am GMT - End of yet another stellar session of Test cricket, and currently Australia will be happier of the two sides. Matt Renshaw has really put his side in a promising position with the bat, but there's still some work to do. South Africa will be a tad disappointed but will also feel that if they can wrap up the Aussie innings quickly after Lunch, they will get the best of the batting conditions.
0
Overs95.6
Score277 - 8
Simon Harmer to Nathan Lyon, Kept out safely. Harmer switches to over the wicket for the right-hander and drags the length back. There is a bit of turn but that does not bother Lyon, who stays back and tucks it down on the bounce to short leg. That will be Lunch on Day 2!
0
Overs93.4
Score275 - 8
Marco Jansen to Nathan Lyon, Oh, that could have gone anywhere. Jansen digs it in short, directed around the batter's right shoulder. Lyon rises on his toes to fend it down but the ball keeps rising and climbs onto him. It catches him on the right hand before dropping to the ground.
0
Overs93.2
Score275 - 8
Marco Jansen to Nathan Lyon, Beaten! Angled in from around the wicket before moving away off the seam, on a back of a length. Lyon could have left it on length but he tried to play the line with a straight bat and was beaten past the outside edge due to the seam movement.
4
Overs92.1
Score271 - 8
Anrich Nortje to Matt Renshaw, FOUR! There it is, a 2nd Test HUNDRED for Renshaw. What a moment for the man from Queensland, and the wide smile on his face says it all. He has stood tall for the Aussies in the face of adversity and has held the innings together. A bit too full by Nortje, on middle and leg. Renshaw leans on it and plays a wristy flick through mid-wicket and the quick outfield does the rest. He takes the helmet off and acknowledges the applause from his teammates, who are all up on their feet on the balcony.
0
Overs91.2
Score262 - 8
Marco Jansen to Matt Renshaw, Half a shout for LBW, but that has hit Renshaw outside the line. Fuller in length, in and around the off stump. Renshaw takes a step across to cover the line, but the ball jags back to go past the inside edge and catches the left-hander high on the back thigh. No real interest shown by any of the South Africans. The Ball Tracking later shows that the ball was going over the stumps.
2
Overs89.4
Score257 - 8
Wiaan Mulder to Nathan Lyon, It is the nip-backer by Mulder, on a length, just outside off. Lyon plays for the one that leaves him but the ball nips back to catch the inside half. It goes through square leg and the batters pick up a couple of runs.
0
Overs89.1
Score254 - 8
Wiaan Mulder to Nathan Lyon, A play and a miss! Mulder floats it up there, outside off. Lyon can't resist the temptation and goes fishing at the ball well away from his body. He is lucky not to have nicked it behind.
