ONLY bad light could come to Proteas’ rescue against Australia

The Proteas are facing an uphill battle to salvage a draw against Australia in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban.

After an impressive opening day with the ball, Temba Bavuma’s men were frustrated by poor light conditions, with play abandoned around 15:00 on Day 1.

South Africa appeared on course to bowl Australia out for fewer than 200 runs, but Day 2 proved a different story as the visitors’ lower order staged a remarkable fightback.

A 134-run partnership between Matt Renshaw and Nathan Lyon turned the game around and helped Australia post a formidable first-innings total of 390.

Australia frustrate Proteas bowlers

In reply, the Proteas ended Day 2 on 27/1, but their situation deteriorated on the third morning. By lunch, South Africa had slumped to 114/6, leaving them with a mountain to climb to stay in the contest.

The Proteas will now be relying on Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs to produce a crucial partnership and give the lower order a chance to fight back.

South Africa need to reach 191 runs to avoid the follow-on, which would allow Australia to enforce another innings and put further pressure on the hosts.

Avoiding the follow-on would be an important first step, but the Proteas would still need to bat for a significant period to keep their hopes of a draw alive.

Poor light could potentially work in their favour if it interrupts play again, although South Africa cannot afford to rely on the weather alone.

With Australia likely to strengthen their advantage if given another opportunity to bat, the Proteas need their remaining batters to show resilience and occupy the crease.

A substantial partnership between Mulder and Stubbs, followed by a determined effort from the lower order, could give South Africa a chance of surviving the Test.

Ultimately, the Proteas will need to bat with patience and discipline if they are to avoid defeat and salvage a draw against Australia at Kingsmead.