It might be because he hardly ever wins a toss in the Ashes, although from memory he did bowl first at The Oval in 2023 and that was decided by spin in the fourth innings.
Bedingham was dismissed after being hit in the breadbasket by a delivery from Starc, top-edging a hook that was outstandingly caught by Hazlewood on the fine leg boundary.
As the match progressed, observations noted that a certain batter holds the best average of any batter, ever, against Australia, contrasted with difficulties in winning the toss in the Ashes.
Mulder quickly followed, top-edging a hook through to Carey to depart for a two-ball duck and giving his wicket away to bring Australia right back into the contest.
South Africa struggled to build momentum, managing only five runs in six overs during a phase where Australia claimed two crucial wickets.
Wonder if it’s too late to call up Jordan van Rooyen for this Test?” If I have one area of expertise, it’s finding a vaguely optimistic precedent from the 2638 men’s Tests that have been played since 1876-77.
56th over: South Africa 232-4 (Bedingham 50, Rickelton 4) Madon, that’s a jaffa from Connolly.
47th over: South Africa 205-3 (Bedingham 28, Breetzke 1) A maiden from Hazlewood to the new batter Breetzke.
Bedingham responds with a back cut for three to bring a high-class fifty, his fifth in Tests, from 78 balls.