GQEBERHA, South Africa (AP) — A delayed start was further hampered by rain as lunch was taken on day one of the second cricket test between South Africa and Australia on Sunday.
South Africa was 11-0 with only 5.3 overs possible, after play was delayed by nearly two hours as the morning session was hampered by rain.
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Australia's Josh Hazlewood reacts after bowling on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Aiden Markram plays a shot on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
Groundsmen pull the covers as rain delays match on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
Australia's captain Pat Cummins, left, and Australia's Josh Hazlewood return to the dressing room as rain delays play on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
Aiden Markram was 10 not out while debutant Marques Ackerman (1 not out) opened his account.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and opted to bowl.
Australia won the first test in Durban by 214 runs and leads the three-match series 1-0.
South Africa is the current world test champion and both teams have an eye on the 2027 final. Australia maintained its position at the top of the current standings, while the Proteas slipped to third after the defeat in Durban. New Zealand is currently second.
The hosts made three changes from the first test with pacer Kagiso Rabada, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, returning to the playing eleven after missing out in Durban.
Wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreyne, batsman Tristan Stubbs and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj were all left out. Ryan Rickelton will keep wicket and bat in the middle order.
Matthew Breetzke was included to bolster the batting line-up, while Ackerman made his test debut.
Australia made one change as off-spinner Nathan Lyon is left out in favor of pacer Scott Boland.
Prevailing conditions at St. George’s Park influenced the team selections for both sides. The first two days are likely to feature weather interruptions and damp conditions suited to bowlers. There is grass on the pitch as well, making batting difficult throughout the test.
See AP’s full cricket coverage here
Australia's Josh Hazlewood reacts after bowling on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Aiden Markram plays a shot on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
Groundsmen pull the covers as rain delays match on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
Australia's captain Pat Cummins, left, and Australia's Josh Hazlewood return to the dressing room as rain delays play on day one of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Themba Hadebe)
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Canada’s defense minister said Saturday that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire, while reports said large numbers of injured people were transported to hospitals.
Fire crews scrambled late into the night as fierce winds whipped flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright and into the surrounding rural area.
It was not immediately clear how many people were killed or injured, but a doctor at a hospital in the city of Edmonton, 180 kilometers (112 miles) northwest, told Canada’s national broadcaster that patients were being brought to hospitals across the city as healthcare facilities around the base became “completely overwhelmed” by the number of people needing care.
“This number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton,” Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, told CBC News. “It is more patients than any of us want to count right now. It’s a disaster. It’s a one in every 15- to 25-year disaster.”
Acute Care Alberta said several hospitals across the province had activated a “Code Orange,” an emergency designation used when multiple severely injured patients require coordinated medical care. The agency said emergency medical resources were stretched so thin that extremely few ambulances were available in the Edmonton area. It urged people to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department if possible.
Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the town’s small hospital was not designed to handle a mass-casualty incident but praised the response of local medical personnel. He said helicopters and planes had been transporting patients to other facilities for treatment.
At least 10 ambulances were parked in and around the Wainwright health center late Saturday as paramedics and soldiers rushed about. One patient was seen being loaded into an ambulance.
The town of Wainwright, near the base, has about 7,000 residents.
Defense Minister David McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in investigating the incident and described the situation as “very, very active and delicate.” He said authorities were still working to determine what happened and expected to provide further information.
The Canadian military said Sunday there were no indications that the incident was the result of terrorism, but the cause remained under investigation.
McGuinty said Sunday he was traveling to Edmonton to be briefed on the latest developments. He said the military was working closely with Alberta’s government and local authorities.
The Canadian Armed Forces said it would not release casualty figures until relatives had been notified. “The full extent of the impact remains under assessment,” the military said in a statement late Saturday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers were called shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area at the base.
Firefighters faced a volatile situation. Large areas of the province were hit during the day by a windstorm with gusts up to 100 kph (62 mph). The wind toppled some trees and sent signs flying and garbage cans rolling down streets.
By 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright said on social media the fire was being held and that property and critical infrastructure were protected. There was no evacuation order for residents.
McGuinty, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, confirmed the casualties but had no other details to share.
“I cannot recall such an incident in my short time for sure as a minister, but I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” McGuinty said.
“We will have more to say in the coming hours and days,” he added.
He said Armed Forces members were at the scene and that RCMP were also involved. “This is an active and delicate situation and soon to be an active and delicate investigation.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending assistance to Alberta but did not specify what resources were being deployed.
“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier in a social media post.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic” and said it was affecting many military personnel.
CFB Wainwright is one of Canada’s busiest military training bases, where soldiers prepare for combat operations. It is home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training.
Canadian Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defense minister to offer support to those affected by the fire.
“Pray for Wainwright, everyone,” Poilievre said in a social media post. He urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.
The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday’s referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to independence from Canada. Elections Alberta said two polling locations, in Lloydminster and Vermilion, closed early Saturday and the ballots were transported securely.
Paramedics load an injured person into an ambulance at the Wainwright Health Centre as injured military members are treated after a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, outside of Wainwright, Alberta Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Emergency crews and military personnel are seen at the Wainwright Health Centre as injured military members are treated after a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, outside of Wainwright, Alberta Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Paramedics work at the Wainwright Health Centre as injured military members are treated after a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, outside of Wainwright, Alberta Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Emergency crews and military personnel gather at the Wainwright Health Centre as injured military members are treated after a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, outside of Wainwright, Alberta Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Paramedics load an injured person into an ambulance at the Wainwright Health center after a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, outside of Wainwright, Alberta Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP)
