Australia's opening pairing unsettled ahead of second Test v South Africa in Gqeberha

Centre · 1Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test in Durban, which ended on Tuesday, but the win did not settle who will open the batting for the second Test, which starts on Sunday in Gqeberha. 1 2 Centre · 1Matt Renshaw, an opener by trade, batted at number five in Durban and scored 190 and 82; Nic Maddinson, in his first Test in nearly 10 years, opened with Travis Head. Maddinson made a 33-ball duck in the first innings and 48 from 38 balls in the second, and Head made 20 runs in total. 3 1 Centre · 1Captain Pat Cummins said it would take a compelling argument to move Renshaw again, though he still thinks Renshaw "can be a great opener". Former captain Allan Border said his gut feeling was that Head is better off in the middle order, and Steve Waugh urged selectors to "pick and stick" and keep Renshaw at number five. 1 3

Centre · 1Coach Andrew McDonald, who sits on the selection panel with George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, said selectors are "open-minded" about the batting order and could make further changes depending on the surface in Gqeberha. 3 Centre · 1Cameron Green, who missed Durban with an abdominal strain, had yet to start batting as of Thursday and would be limited to batting if cleared. Josh Inglis, recovering from a broken finger, was further advanced, and a Friday preview said Green's return is likely delayed. 3 2 Centre · 1In the bowling attack, Josh Hazlewood took a career-best 6-49 in the fourth innings in Durban. Scott Boland is a possible inclusion as Australia monitor the workloads of Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who each bowled at least 29 overs in the first Test. 1 2

Centre · 1Hazlewood said reverse swing could be decisive in the three-Test series because the pitches are abrasive and hard underfoot, and that St George's Park wickets are expected to be similar to Kingsmead. 4 Mixed · 2South Africa have made changes after their batting failed in Durban, where only Aiden Markram passed 50. Coach Shukri Conrad dropped Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne; Marques Ackerman is tipped for a debut, Matthew Breetzke is expected to open with Markram, and Ryan Rickelton takes the gloves. 5 2 Mixed · 2Kagiso Rabada is set to return after a hamstring tear that kept him out of the ODIs and first Test, with one spinner expected to make way. David Bedingham said South Africa must take Australia's bowlers to 80, 100 or 120 overs, because "everyone gets tired eventually". 5 2

Mixed · 2South Africa, the reigning World Test champions after beating Australia at Lord's last year, are trying to avoid their first home series defeat since England toured in 2019-20. Persistent rain and damp conditions are forecast for Gqeberha, particularly on the first two days, which could cause delays or a shortened match. 2 5