South Africa recall Breetzke for must-win second Test against Australia
South Africa have recalled batter Matthew Breetzke for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha after a 214-run thrashing in Durban. Tristan Stubbs drops out of the squad. Uncapped Marques Ackerman is also in line for a top-order place. BBC Sport
The stakes are simple. South Africa must avoid defeat when the second Test starts on Sunday to keep the three-match series alive. Defeat would hand Australia the series with a game to spare.
It was South Africa's first loss in 13 matches under captain Temba Bavuma. Australia dominated in Durban from the first morning and never let go.
The selectors have acted on the batting. Stubbs made 32 and 1 in Durban and loses his place. Kyle Verreynne stays in the squad but loses the wicketkeeping gloves, with Ryan Rickelton set to take over behind the stumps. Breetzke and Ackerman, who is yet to play Test cricket, are expected to slot into the top order, the first three or four batting positions where the new ball is hardest to face.
Breetzke is a form pick with an edge. He hit a century in the first one-day international earlier in Australia's tour and averages almost 59 from 17 one-day internationals. Head coach Shukri Conrad pointed to attitude and character as part of the call-up. Cricket Australia's website has called him an "Aussie agitator" who "got under Australia's skin" during the white-ball games.
There is risk in the recall. Breetzke has played two Tests before and managed only 14 runs in three innings. He has not played a first-class match, the multi-day domestic game that feeds Test selection, since February.
Australia arrive in Gqeberha full of confidence. Matthew Renshaw was the difference in Durban with 190 and 82 plus two wickets. Nic Maddinson also played his first Test in 10 years after injuries to Cameron Green and Josh Inglis, despite not playing a first-class game in the previous 19 months following treatment for testicular cancer.
South Africa were also without lead fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in Durban as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury.
For fans, this means a louder, tenser second Test. South Africa need runs from the top and a response with the ball. Australia need one more win to close the series early.
