Bavuma Century Leads South Africa to Strong Position Against Australia
Temba Bavuma registered his highest test score to guide South Africa out of early trouble and into control of the second test at St George's Park. Record-breaking lower-order partnerships with Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer helped turn the contest around after the hosts had fallen to 110-6. Australia closed the day in trouble at 3-1 after losing an early wicket in fading light.
Temba Bavuma compiled his highest test score to lead a remarkable South African fightback on Tuesday, putting the hosts in control of the second test against Australia at St George's Park.
South Africa, looking to bounce back from a 214-run defeat in the opening test in Durban, resumed on 97-5 following two opening days where rain restricted play to just 43 overs. Although sunny skies and a flat pitch provided better batting conditions, the hosts soon found themselves in deeper trouble at 110-6 when Wiaan Mulder fell for 13. Mulder ducked into a short delivery from Mitchell Starc and gloved the ball to slip fielder Matt Renshaw, giving Starc his 450th test wicket following a review.
From that precarious position, Bavuma mounted a determined counter-attack alongside the lower order. The South African captain reached his century in 226 balls and shared in two historic partnerships. First, Bavuma paired with Marco Jansen to add 132 runs for the seventh wicket, eclipsing the previous venue record of 89 set by South Africa against England back in 1896.
Jansen scored 85 before being dismissed shortly after the second new ball was introduced. After being struck in the lower midriff by Scott Boland and receiving treatment, Jansen chipped a delivery to Travis Head at midwicket. Boland finished with figures of 5-81, securing the third five-wicket haul of his career and his first outside Australia.
Simon Harmer then joined Bavuma in an 183-run stand, establishing South Africa's highest eighth-wicket partnership in any test match. Harmer reached a career-best 82 before being bowled by part-time left-arm spinner Marnus Labuschagne in the afternoon gloom. On the very next delivery, Bavuma edged Starc through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey to end his innings, prompting an immediate declaration from the home side.
Australia faced a difficult closing period and suffered an immediate setback in the first over of their reply. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, returning from a five-month absence due to a hamstring injury, struck with his fourth delivery when Nic Maddinson edged an attempted drive to Harmer at third slip.
Deteriorating light prevented Rabada from bowling more than a single over. Following three overs of spin, play was called off for the day with Australia at 3-1, leaving Head unbeaten on one and nightwatchman Boland on two.