Summary South Africa made three changes to the team which was beaten by 281 runs in the first Test.
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AFP) - South Africa won the toss and decided to bat on the first day of the second Test against Australia at St George s Park in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.
South Africa made three changes to the team which was beaten by 281 runs in the first Test at Centurion.
In a surprise move, left-handed batsman Quinton de Kock, who was not part of the original squad, was flown in and will bat at number seven to fill the place vacated by injured all-rounder Ryan McLaren.
Dean Elgar will open the batting in place of Alviro Petersen, who according to captain Graeme Smith, was suffering from a stomach illness. In a third change, left-arm fast-medium bowler Wayne Parnell replaced left-arm spinner Robin Peterson.
There was almost a fourth change. The toss was slightly delayed while South Africa assessed the fitness of opening bowler Vernon Philander, who Smith said felt a twinge when he was warming up.
Australia were unchanged.
It was a cool, overcast morning and there was a good covering of grass on a pitch which traditionally becomes good for batting after offering early assistance to the bowlers.
Teams:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wkt), JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel.
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Chris Rogers, David Warner, Alex Doolan, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon.
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG), Richard Illingworth (ENG)
TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)
