Bavuma Plots South Africa's Recovery with Marathon 179
179 runs. 338 balls. 547 minutes.
Temba Bavuma stood up against Australia for nine hours and seven minutes in Gqeberha to plot South Africa's stunning recovery. The Proteas began Day 3 in a precarious position of 97 for 5, stuttering further to 110 for 6, before two exceptional backs-to-the-wall partnerships, both helmed by the captain, took them past safety and into a position of strength.
The Partnerships
- Bavuma & Jansen (132 off 185): Marco Jansen joined his skipper and played a contrasting knock, scoring a 100-ball 85 with nine fours and three sixes. He counter-punched against Australia's attack, providing the fire to Bavuma's ice. Scott Boland broke the partnership with Jansen's wicket.
- Bavuma & Harmer: Simon Harmer batted for 277 balls in Bavuma's company. Harmer was astute in his footwork, moving to a half-century without breaking a sweat, but departed for 82, falling agonizingly short of a first Test century. Bavuma reached his 100 and 150 to rousing applause from the dressing room.
The Declaration
Mitchell Starc had Bavuma caught behind on 179, prompting the South African captain to declare the innings on 425 for 9.
Australia's Response
Kagiso Rabada, who had just walked out after Harmer's dismissal, rushed back to bowl the first over. The champion bowler dismissed Nic Maddinson for a duck on the fourth ball. Australia closed out the day on 3 for 1, staring at a mountain of runs that looked unlikely at the start of the day.
Brief Scores
- South Africa: 425/9 decl. (Temba Bavuma 179, Marco Jansen 85, Simon Harmer 82; Scott Boland 5-81, Mitchell Starc 3-89)
- Australia: 3/1 (Kagiso Rabada 1-0)
- Lead: South Africa by 422 runs
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