AUSTRALIA must rewrite the history books or as face the prospect of losing its first series in South Africa since the apartheid era.
No team has lost a match in Johannesburg after reaching 400 runs in the first innings and this South Africa team appears poised to continue that record, giving Australia a mountain to climb on day two of the fourth Test.
A fatigued Australian pace attack looked ready for the flight home – perhaps unsurprising after the wild and “draining” week – with more in The Wanderers wicket than the scoreboard suggested.
FOURTH TEST:Game Paine carries on after nasty blow
Australia was unable to capitalise on Pat Cummins and debutant Chadd Sayers’ crucial late wickets on day one, as No.6 Temba Bavumba (80 not out midway through the second sessions) frustrated the visiting attack on day two.
None of the current combatants were even born the last time Australia lost a series in South Africa, during a 4-0 clean sweep in 1969-70 just before the apartheid curtain fell.
Australia’s extraordinary record is one of its finest cricketing achievements, winning five and drawing two in an undefeated streak stretching back to 1993-4.
Tim Paine sent a scare through the Australian camp on the second day of the fourth Test after copping a whack on his problematic right hand after a 122 kilometre delivery from Sayers.
Team physio David Beakley came out to attend Paine at the end of the over, treating his thumb for several minutes, before resuming behind the stumps as South Africa built a compelling first innings total to place themselves in the box seat.
The aggressive and courageous Paine ignored his previous travails to stand right by the stumps to Sayers – as he has done to fellow medium pacer Mitch Marsh this series – whose brilliant delivery evaded Quinton de Kock’s outside edge and caught him on the right glove.
Pain, 33, has required seven operations and three bone grafts since his bad finger break in the 2010 T20 exhibition game and even had to change his grip, unable to hold the bat the way he once did.
A shock Test recall after starting the summer outside of Tasmania’s Shield team, Paine is one of the key figures for an Australian team looking to start a new chapter after the disastrous ball-tampering affair and he will have to tap into every ounce of positivity to inspire his players back into this contest.
The Paine incident epitomised Australia’s luckless first session, with several edges narrowly evading fielders as the Proteas ran away from the visitors.
David Warner’s press conference was the talk of The Wanderers on the morning of day two, with South Africa’s clear heads exploiting the new-look and emotionally fatigued Australians.
Bavuma and de Kock built a key 89-run first session partnership after Aiden Markram’s 152 off 216 balls laid a strong foundation.
Bavuma made his half-century, before spinner Nathan Lyon claimed the wicket of de Kock for 39 but the plucky Proteas dug in, with a whiff of history in the Wanderers air.
South Africa was 8-442 at lunch on day two.
