Event of the Day: South Africa versus Pakistan
Our event of the day is the first day of the third Test between South Africa and Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. South Africa hold a 2-0 series lead and will look to sweep a Pakistani side that has been unable to find its footing during this tour of South Africa. However, South Africa will be without captain Faf Du Plessis, who will serve a one-game suspension for over rate infractions. Despite this setback, South Africa are looking strong and so be sure you don’t miss today’s action. South Africa chose to bowl after winning the toss at the start of the second Test against Pakistan. Duanne Olivier led a devastating all-pace bowling effort that held Pakistan to 177 runs. South Africa responded with a first inning total of 431, including a century from Faf Du Plessis (103) and half-centuries from Aiden Markram (78), Temba Bavuma (75) and Quinton de Kock (59). Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi were the only answers to South Africa, with the two bowlers taking eight of the first inning wickets between them. Pakistan looked on the verge of a comeback in the second inning as they found themselves sitting at 194-3, including an impressive 88 from Asad Shafiq.
Despite this, the momentum faltered and Pakistan finished on 294, meaning that South Africa only needed 41 runs to secure victory and a 2-0 lead in the Test series. Hashim Amla was forced to retire hurt during the second inning, the South African batsmen was struck on the bicep and left the game with bruising. However, 24 runs from opening batsmen Dean Elgar helped easily carry South African to their target. As play travels to the Wanderers Stadium for the third and final Test, the hosts will be without their captain Faf Du Plessis, who will serve a one-match ban for a slow over rate in the second Test. In his absence, Dean Elgar will serve as South Africa’s captain. Elgar previously stood in for Du Plessis in 2017 and has done well so far in this tour, scoring 116 runs as part of South Africa’s opening pair. Following the third Test, the teams will play five one-day internationals and three T20s to end this Pakistani tour of South Africa. These final matches will provide a last chance for the two teams to scout one another in real time before they face one another at Lord’s on June 23rd for their group stage match at the Cricket World Cup. Both teams still have plenty of fight left in them and so expect an exciting day of cricket in Johannesburg.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the European Rugby Champions Cup, where Gloucester host Munster at Kingsholm. Gloucester and Munster play in one of the tightest pools in the competition, with first place Munster only four points above fourth place Gloucester. A win for Munster would put them at 16 points, putting them in a strong position to advance to the next stage of the competition. However, Gloucester are far from out of the competition. Winning against Munster would jump them to the top of the table. Gloucester are weathering a 2-game losing streak and will try to move past substantial losses to Sale and Leicester. Meanwhile, Munster are on a 2-game win streak, including a statement win over the ever-dominant Leinster. With so much on the line, it’s sure to be an exciting game. Elsewhere, in the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers host the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center. Palestine face reigning champions Australia in the AFC Asian Cup. On the PGA Tour, the Sony Open in Hawaii continues with day 2 of the competition. In the NHL, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Buffalo Sabres to the PNC Arena. On the ATP Tour, the ASB Classic continues in Auckland.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ICC Cricket