Delhi: Rain in Gkeberha spoiled most of the play on the second day of the Test match being played between South Africa and Australia. However, when the match started, the Australian fast bowlers once again showed their skills. Scott Boland and Pat Cummins kept the pressure on the South African batsmen, while captain Temba Bavuma tried to get the team out of difficult situations by holding one end.

Let us tell you that only 12.2 overs could be played on the first day. On the second day also, the match could not start on time due to rain and wet pitch. After inspecting the ground several times, the game started at 3:45 pm local time. That means there was a delay of about six hours from the scheduled time. At the same time, Australia did not get the services of fast bowler Josh Hazlewood due to illness.

Scott Boland again wreaked havoc

As soon as the game started, Scott Boland troubled the South African batsmen with his accurate bowling. Boland, who took wickets in two consecutive balls on the first day, bowled in the same style on the second day also. Along with him, Pat Cummins from the other end also did not give the batsmen a chance to play freely.

30-year-old debutant batsman Marx Ackermann became Boland's third victim. He tried to play a loose shot, but the ball took the outer edge of the bat and went to the wicketkeeper.

After this, Matthew Britzke also could not last long. For the first time in his short career, he came to bat at number five. Initially he tried to play cautiously by leaving the balls, but he also lost his wicket on the third ball of the morning by Mitchell Starc.

Temba Bavuma played captaincy innings

On one hand, South African batsmen were continuously losing wickets, while Temba Bavuma batted with patience. He showed correct footwork and was in no hurry to leave balls that were not necessary to be played.

Boland also troubled Bavuma with his seam movement. A ball came in quickly and hit his front pad, but Bavuma survived this time. After this, he scored runs whenever he got the opportunity and used the speed of the ball and played good shots on the front foot and back foot.

When Pat Cummins bowled a bouncer towards Bavuma's head, the South African captain hooked it and sent it for a six. The ball went out of the field towards the road, and an employee had to go to bring it back. This shot was enough to show Bavuma's confidence.

Richlton gave good support to Bavuma

Bavuma got good support from Ryan Rickleton from the other end. Rickleton played by understanding the balls from the beginning and did not shy away from scoring runs even when he got a bad ball. He tried to put pressure on the Australian bowlers by hitting two fours in one over of Cummins.

In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Australian all-rounder Beau Webster played the role of the fourth fast bowler. As the day progressed, wicketkeeper Alex Carey also came close to the stumps during Webster's bowling.

Cummins fielded a leg slip to stop Richlton. This strategy almost worked, when an edge from Rickleton's bat went towards Marnus Labuschagne standing there. However, Labuschagne could not see the ball properly and the ball hit his chest.

Despite this, Bavuma and Rickleton continued their partnership. The half-century partnership between the two was completed with a shot played on the back foot by Rickleton.

Australia's comeback in the last overs of the day

Just before the end of the day's play, the Australian bowlers once again increased the pressure. By continuously bowling outside the off stump, he forced Rickleton to make mistakes. The last two overs of the day were left when Rickleton played the ball behind the wicket.

Alex Carey did not try to take the catch, but Matt Renshaw, standing at first slip, took the catch with one hand brilliantly. Rickleton returned to the pavilion disappointed and Australia got an important wicket.

However, Bavuma was still standing at the crease. He scored 41 runs facing 108 balls. Despite less play due to rain, the Australian fast bowlers maintained their hold on the match, while South Africa's hopes still rested on their captain.