2nd Test weather forecast at Gqeberha: Day-by-day rain chances for SA vs AUS at St. George's Park originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Australia star Scott Boland took two wickets in two balls before rain left South Africa on 20-2.
- Rain is likely on Monday, but Gqeberha should clear up from Tuesday onwards.
- Officials can add 30 minutes and bring start times forward to recover lost overs.
South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test: Scott Boland replaces Nathan Lyon, strikes twice early in Gqeberha
The weather forecast for the second Test at Gqeberha points to another damp morning before conditions improve, and the rain chances at St George’s Park will shape how much cricket Australia and South Africa can actually play over the next four days.
Australia won the toss and asked South Africa to bat, but the covers came back on as soon as the coin had been flipped, following overnight rain. Play did not begin until two hours after the scheduled start, and the hosts were 11-0 when the rain interrupted again and an early lunch was taken.
Australia fast bowler Scott Boland took two wickets with consecutive deliveries on a rain-hit opening day on Sunday, and South Africa were 20-2 when stumps were called early.
Boland was the only change to the Australian XI after the side’s 214-run win in the first Test in Durban, and he bowled opener Aiden Markram for 11 before dismissing David Bedingham for a golden duck with the very next ball, as the batter edged a delivery into the gloves of wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Debutant Marques Ackerman was on 5 and captain Temba Bavuma on 4 when rain stopped play around 40 minutes after lunch. The showers refused to ease, and the umpires called stumps one hour and 45 minutes before the scheduled close.
Gqeberha weather forecast for the 2nd Test: Day-by-day rain chances
Day 1: October 18 (Sunday)
Heavy rain and overcast skies ruled the day, with a high of 19°C, a low of 13°C and an 85 per cent chance of precipitation. Persistent coastal drizzle caused several interruptions, and early stumps were called.
Chance of rain: Very high
Day 2: October 19 (Monday)
Cloudy skies are expected with thundershowers in the morning and breezy winds off the coast, with temperatures between 11°C and 18°C. The chance of rain is put at 75 to 80 per cent, so a delayed start is very likely, although a resumption after lunch is possible.
Chance of rain: High
Day 3: October 20 (Tuesday)
Conditions should clear partially, with sunny intervals and a few passing clouds. Temperatures will range from 12°C to 21°C, and the rain probability falls to 10 to 15 per cent. A full day of play is expected, and the match officials are likely to schedule make-up overs.
Chance of rain: Low
Day 4: October 21 (Wednesday)
An overcast morning should give way to a bright and breezy afternoon, with a high of 23°C and a low of 14°C. The chance of rain is around 10 per cent, so play should be uninterrupted, and batting is expected to become easier under the sun.
Chance of rain: Low
Day 5: October 22 (Thursday)
The final day looks mostly dry with late sunny spells and a moderate south-westerly breeze, with temperatures between 14°C and 20°C. The rain probability is only 5 to 10 per cent, and the pitch is likely to deteriorate, which could bring reverse swing into play.
Chance of rain: Very low
How the coastal low-pressure system and green pitch will affect play at Gqeberha
The first 36 to 48 hours of the Test are being controlled by a cold coastal low-pressure front that is moving off the Indian Ocean across Algoa Bay. The system caused Sunday’s near washout, and forecasters expect lingering dampness through Monday morning before it moves eastwards out to sea by Tuesday.
The curators left plenty of grass on the strip to help the seamers, and humidity of more than 90 per cent, along with moisture trapped under the covers for long periods, should add to the effect. Boland, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are therefore likely to extract exaggerated sideways movement and steep bounce each time play restarts.
How match officials can recover lost overs in the Australia vs South Africa Test
The officials have the option of adding up to 30 minutes, which is roughly eight overs, at the end of each remaining day. They can also bring the start time forward to 9:30 AM local time, or 1:00 PM IST, to make up for the 77.4 overs lost on day one.
Will rain affect the 2nd Test between South Africa and Australia?
The opening two days are likely to be badly hit by showers, but the weather should improve considerably from Tuesday, and full days of play are expected over the final three days.
Australia remain favourites, but the lost overs could decide the Test
Australia hold a strong hand after day one, even though only 12.2 overs were bowled. Scott Boland’s two quick wickets have given the visitors a psychological edge, and the green pitch, heavy air and covers that stayed on for hours will keep the seamers interested whenever play resumes. Having won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, the tourists will also feel that time is on their side if they can force a result before the weather turns again.
However, South Africa should not be written off. Debutant Marques Ackerman has already shown some patience, and Temba Bavuma remains at the crease, so a recovery is possible if they survive the early moisture. The forecast suggests that batting will become much easier from Tuesday, which could reward a side that stays patient through Monday’s gloom.
The bigger question is whether five days will be enough. With 77.4 overs lost, the match officials will need to use every extra minute, and a draw cannot be ruled out. Still, Australia’s four-man seam attack suits the conditions better, and they remain favourites, provided that at least three full days of play are possible.
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