LIVE: ‘Strange’ tactics allow Proteas fightback

Well after being 2-27, the Proteas – courtesy of Kyle Verreynne and Temba Bavuma – have rebuilt nicely to go into the lunch break at 4-84.

Pat Cummins might look back with some regret on his decision to bring on Cameron Green when he and Scott Boland had their feet on South Africa’s neck.

In commentary for Fox Sports Mark Waugh said that bowling decision, and Verreynne’s decision to come out and play aggressively, might have cost the Aussies another wicket or two.

“Verreynne and Bavuma, some nice counterpunching, and some of the tactics a little strange from Pat Cummins … spreading the field after some loose shots from loose balls, and they looked to attack Cameron Green in particular,” he said.

“His three overs were a little bit costly and released the pressure.

“We didn’t quite get enough balls in the right area. I’ve seen Australia bowl a lot better, put it that way.

“(Australia) have still had a pretty good session, but South Africa going into lunch at 4-84, they’ll feel like they’ve got a little bit of momentum. 

“If they can sneak up to 200 they’ll think they’re right in this game.”

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl, and it certainly looked like the right decision. But they will need to come out after lunch and take a few quick wickets.

Scott Boland said it was a team decision to bowl fuller early in the session – he has figures of 2-10 from his six overs.