For the second day in a row, the bulk of South Africa’s top order crumbled against predominantly left-arm pace in a practice clash at the Wanderers.
It’s not as if Mitchell Johnson, a man who gave South Africa plenty of trouble long before his starring role in the Ashes, needed a dose of confidence before next week’s opening Test at Centurion.
But if Johnson ventured along to the famed Johannesburg venue on Tuesday or Wednesday, he would be walking even taller given the Proteas’ inability to negotiate left-armers Beuran Hendricks and Wayne Parnell.
South Africa reached 5-147 at stumps on day two against a Composite XI, with Faf du Plessis once again the standout of their top order.
Du Plessis, who has inherited Jacques Kallis’ place at second drop, finished 67 not out.
The 29-year-old looms as the same roadblock to Australian victory in the upcoming three-Test series that he proved in 2012, when an unbeaten century on debut secured a draw in Adelaide.
Du Plessis faced 105 deliveries, while Alvirio Petersen, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy’s combined stay at the crease was 107 balls.
Hendricks trapped Petersen lbw for a duck in the third over of the innings, having knocked over his middle stump in the first dig.
Amla went cheaply, while Smith (27) was out driving to Parnell for the second time in the match.
Duminy retired hurt due to a sore wrist, it was said to be a precautionary move but the batsman will be assessed further on Thursday.
Quinton de Kock, who top-scored for the Composite XI with 50, suggested the bowler-friendly pitch meant the scores should be taken with a grain of salt.
“That 300 they got in the first innings is actually a very decent score compared to the wicket,” said de Kock, who is likely to take AB de Villiers’ spot in the Proteas’ Test side should the wicketkeeper not recover from hand surgery in time.
“When I was batting out there, that was probably the slowest innings I’ve had in a four-day game.
“I couldn’t score. I just had to get ones, there were no boundaries.”
Proteas coach Russell Domingo would have enjoyed his side’s work in the field a little more, spinner Robin Peterson recording figures of 3-9 from eight overs as the Composite were rolled for 135.
Dale Steyn (3-40) was still restricted, but bowled 11.5 overs in his first match back after a fractured rib.
