Bavuma’s 179 takes South Africa to 425-9 before Australia lose early wicket

Temba Bavuma scored a Test-best 179 as South Africa declared on 425-9 against Australia in Gqeberha on October 20, ending the third day of the second Test with the visitors 3-1 in reply. Australia trailed by 422 runs after Kagiso Rabada dismissed opener Nic Maddinson.¹²³⁵

Recovery built around Bavuma

Bavuma arrived with South Africa 12-2, and the hosts subsequently slipped to 40-4, according to The Guardian. Sky Sports reported that they resumed the third morning on 97-5 before losing Wiaan Mulder, whose dismissal gave Mitchell Starc his 450th Test wicket.¹³

The recovery depended on two partnerships involving the captain. Bavuma and Marco Jansen added 132 for the seventh wicket, with Jansen contributing 85. According to The Citizen, Jansen faced 100 balls for his runs. Bavuma then shared a further 183 with Simon Harmer, who made 82.¹²³⁵

The BBC and Sky Sports described the Bavuma-Harmer stand as South Africa’s highest eighth-wicket partnership in Tests. Harmer was eventually bowled by Marnus Labuschagne, The Guardian reported. Scott Boland finished with five wickets, while Starc dismissed Bavuma before South Africa declared.¹²³

According to the BBC, Bavuma’s innings occupied 552 minutes over three days and brought him his fifth Test century. The broadcaster said he had now scored four centuries in 14 Tests as captain, averaging 54.36 during his tenure after averaging 34.53 in the 93 innings he played before becoming skipper.²

Time remaining in focus

Rain affected the opening two days, with only 42 overs possible, according to the BBC. Its report said South Africa declared with half an hour remaining on day three. Yahoo Sports and The Citizen both raised the timing of that decision as a tactical question.²³⁴⁵

Rabada dismissed Maddinson for a duck in Australia’s reply. Sky Sports reported that the wicket came with his fourth delivery on returning from a hamstring injury that had kept him out since June. Australia had lost only that wicket when poor light ended play.¹³⁴

The BBC reported that the umpires stopped seam bowling because of the light, with three overs of spin following before the players left the field. It assessed South Africa as having a slim prospect of victory if they can bowl Australia out for a low total and make the tourists bat again.²

“We have given ourselves a chance,” Bavuma told the BBC. South Africa lost the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, according to Sky Sports. That report said a victory in Gqeberha would make the Cape Town Test, scheduled for October 27, the series decider.²³