Second Test RECAP: Shock Starc snub floated amid great’s big Boland call

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Nic Maddinson had a rough start to life in Test cricket a decade ago.

He was brought into the Aussie team to play a pink-ball match against South Africa in Adelaide, and was bowled for a duck by a Kagiso Rabada yorker under lights.

Fast forward 10 years and Maddinson once again fell to Rabada for a duck.

He slashed at a full and wide delivery after seeing off only three balls last night, edging to be caught at third slip.

“Probably didn’t have to go after it, but he did,” Proteas great Shaun Pollock said in commentary.

“Well away from the body, he gets an edge.”

A glance at social media shows a much harsher reaction to the Maddinson wicket.

Radaba now boasts career figures of 2-0 against the Aussie left-hander.

The Maddinson selection was a massive surprise and caused plenty of criticism, given he hasn’t played red-ball cricket in 18 months and there are other, more deserving players toiling away in state cricket.

Since his Test return in Durban he has scored 0, 38, and 0, and his Test average now sits at 10.71 from five and a half matches.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma scored a superb 179 off 334 deliveries to dig the Proteas out of a hole.

His team was 6-110 before he and Marco Jansen combined for a 132-run partnership, then he and Simon Harmer combined for another 183.

“One of my better ones,” he told ABC Sport.

“Definitely my best against Australia. I think you pride yourself as a batter if you’re able to score some good runs against that kind of attack.

“From a team perspective, being able to put us in a competitive position, makes me even more happy.

“It was tough times, it was just a case of knuckling down... sticking to our plans and keeping a sense of optimism that things were going to turn in our favour.”

Aussie great Mark Waugh wants to see Scott Boland retain his spot in the XI for the third match of the series.

Boland took five wickets in the first innings and now averages an astonishing 18.44 from 20 and a half Test matches.

He came in at the expense of Nathan Lyon for this match, but Waugh suggests another fast bowler should be rested next up.

“I’d play him,” Waugh said on Fox Sports of Boland.

“Maybe Mitchell Starc has a breather. He hasn’t had a rest for a long time. He looks not quite 100 per cent at the moment.

“So, you could pick (Boland) over one of the other guys if you want to bring Nathan Lyon back in.

“I think he’s got to play. I’d nearly play him every Test the way he bowls because he’s a point of difference.”

Josh Hazlewood was a notable absentee for most of day three.

The Aussie camp said he was ill, but his mate Mitchell Starc later revealed what the issue may have been.

“Josh ate a dodgy prawn or something,” the towering leftie said.

“He’ll be fresh legs for the second innings.”

Aussie fast bowler Mitchell Starc hasn’t expressed much sympathy for off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who was left out of this match at the expense of Scott Boland.

Lyon’s absence was felt last night when Josh Hazlewood was off the field with a dodgy stomach.

In his absence, Matt Renshaw bowled some slow stuff while Beau Webster held up an end with his medium pace, but the Aussies serious struggled.

There has been plenty of criticism of the Lyon snub but Starc isn’t about to join it.

“I’ve been left out plenty of times, and you’re naturally disappointed that you don’t get to play. He’ll get another opportunity. We know his experience around the group,” Starc told media after day three.

“You’re naturally going to be disappointed when you don’t get put in the XI. He’s been around long enough to put his shoes back on and be the team man that he is.

“He’s been on the boundary most of the day today, whether it’s down at fine leg running us drinks or just (giving teammates) a little tap on the back.”

Australia could be out of this Test match and hoping for a draw already.

The Aussies were well on top after having South Africa 4-40, but now trail by 422 runs and are already a wicket down in the first innings.

Respected cricket pundit Adam Collins says “there’s really only one team who can win from here” and his SEN co-caller Bharat Sundaresan agrees.

“Probably one of the best days they’ve had in Test cricket under Temba Bavuma, and there have been many of these,” Sundaresan said after play.

“South Africa is the only team who can win from here.”

David Warner has delivered a subtle jab at selectors and even fiercer criticism towards South African crowds during day three of Australia’s second Test against the Proteas.

Josh Hazlewood’s inability to bowl also meant Matt Renshaw featured with his off-spinners, bringing about a pointed David Warner post on X regarding Nathan Lyon not being selected.

The weather didn’t stop Warner from having a dig at the crowd numbers as well.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Welcome back to our live coverage of day three.

Well... the tables have certainly turned in this match!

After being 4-40 at one stage, South Africa declared at 9-425 on day three.

Captain Temba Bavuma played a career knock to finish 179 off 334 deliveries.

He was helped by bowlers Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82).

Australia was sent in for a few overs at the end of the day and, unfortunately, Nic Maddinson was dismissed for a four-ball duck.

A break in play now with South Africa 7-318.

Temba Bavuma is on 125 not out and Simon Harmer has 30.

That’s where we’ll leave it for our coverage too with a wrap from the first two session’s to come on our website.

Thanks for tuning in.