1
0
1
0
0
0
= 2
Match Details
AUS vs SA, 3rd Test, AUS vs SA 2026 live
Day 2-Session 1
AUS
90-227.0 1st Inn
Lunch Break
CRR : 3.33
AUS trail by 239 runs
AUS trail by 239 runs
+
P'ship : 32(54)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Inn 3
Inn 4
Milestone
Stat: Marnus Labuschagne has gone 48 innings without a century since July 2023, surpassing Alick Bannerman’s 47-innings drought from 1879 to 1893 for the longest century drought by an Australian top-four batter.
4 PM IST, 12:30 PM Local Time: LUNCH! Day 2 began with Australia looking comfortable, but by lunch, South Africa had reminded them that Test cricket rarely follows the script. The hosts had been bowled out for 329 on Day 1, leaving Australia with a solid total to build towards, and the openers responded with a steady start. Travis Head and Matt Renshaw put on 58 runs without loss, making the morning look like a pleasant walk in the park. Then Simon Harmer arrived, and the park suddenly turned into a minefield! Two wickets in his first over changed the mood completely, leaving Australia at 90/2 at lunch, still 239 runs behind. One minute, the visitors were cruising - the next, they were searching for a map back to safety.
The first hour belonged to the Australian openers. Head played with his usual attacking intent, punishing loose deliveries, while Renshaw stayed patient and kept things tidy at the other end. Australia reached 51/0 at the first drinks break. South Africa needed a breakthrough, and captain Temba Bavuma turned to spin. Harmer struck with his very first delivery, getting Head to chop onto his stumps for 41. If that was a surprise, the last ball of the over was even better - Marnus Labuschagne poked at one outside off and edged it to Aiden Markram at slip for a five-ball duck. Harmer had delivered a double-wicket maiden, and suddenly the South African fielders were buzzing. Labuschagne’s failure will only intensify the questions around his place, while Head will be left wondering how a promising start slipped away so quickly.
Cameron Green then joined Renshaw and helped Australia steady themselves before lunch. Renshaw remains unbeaten on 27 from 75 balls, while Green has made 17, showing enough composure to stop South Africa from turning two wickets into a full-blown collapse. Gerald Coetzee brought serious pace, sending down deliveries above 150 km/h, but the thunderbolts came without a wicket to show for them. At the interval, Australia are 90/2 after 27 overs, with Harmer’s remarkable burst the defining moment of the session.
The afternoon now promises another gripping battle, with Renshaw and Green tasked with rebuilding Australia’s innings. South Africa will be hunting for quick wickets, while Australia must find a way to quieten Harmer. Can the visitors settle in, or will the spin strike again? Join us in around 40 minutes to find out everything!
The first hour belonged to the Australian openers. Head played with his usual attacking intent, punishing loose deliveries, while Renshaw stayed patient and kept things tidy at the other end. Australia reached 51/0 at the first drinks break. South Africa needed a breakthrough, and captain Temba Bavuma turned to spin. Harmer struck with his very first delivery, getting Head to chop onto his stumps for 41. If that was a surprise, the last ball of the over was even better - Marnus Labuschagne poked at one outside off and edged it to Aiden Markram at slip for a five-ball duck. Harmer had delivered a double-wicket maiden, and suddenly the South African fielders were buzzing. Labuschagne’s failure will only intensify the questions around his place, while Head will be left wondering how a promising start slipped away so quickly.
Cameron Green then joined Renshaw and helped Australia steady themselves before lunch. Renshaw remains unbeaten on 27 from 75 balls, while Green has made 17, showing enough composure to stop South Africa from turning two wickets into a full-blown collapse. Gerald Coetzee brought serious pace, sending down deliveries above 150 km/h, but the thunderbolts came without a wicket to show for them. At the interval, Australia are 90/2 after 27 overs, with Harmer’s remarkable burst the defining moment of the session.
The afternoon now promises another gripping battle, with Renshaw and Green tasked with rebuilding Australia’s innings. South Africa will be hunting for quick wickets, while Australia must find a way to quieten Harmer. Can the visitors settle in, or will the spin strike again? Join us in around 40 minutes to find out everything!
OVER 27
Australia
90/2
Cameron Green
17(33)
Matt Renshaw
27(75)
Marco Jansen
0-25(6.0)
26.6 Marco Jansen to Cameron Green
4 FOUR! A boundary from Cameron Green to end the first session on Day 2! That is not a shot you ideally play with one ball to go to Lunch; however, it has worked well for the tall man. Full ball outside off stump, pitched up right in the slot, Green gets across, bends the back leg and swings cleanly through the line. The connection is brilliant and the ball flies to the left of Bavuma at mid off for a boundary. Lunch on Day 2!
26.5 Marco Jansen to Cameron Green
0 Short ball angled down the leg side, 137.3 kph, Green gets across and leaves it alone as the keeper collects it to his left.
26.4 Marco Jansen to Cameron Green
0 Round the wicket, good length ball angled in at off stump, 135.5 kph, Green gets behind it and defends back towards Jansen.
26.3 Marco Jansen to Matt Renshaw
1 Good length ball on middle stump, 136.2 kph, Renshaw works that down to deep backward square leg for a single.
26.2 Marco Jansen to Matt Renshaw
0 Good length ball outside off stump, 133.4 kph, Renshaw gets across and defends it back to the bowler with a straight bat.
26.1 Marco Jansen to Matt Renshaw
0 Over the wicket, good length ball just outside off stump, nips away, 133.4 kph, Renshaw defends with an open bat face towards cover point solidly.
Around four minutes to go for Lunch. This can be the final over of this morning session.
Commentary